Cape Heritage and The Loire
Timed Online Auction, 1 - 12 August 2024
Cape Heritage - White Wines
About the SessionThe Cape Heritage White Wine Session features the noble variety, Chenin Blanc, known for its versatility and fruit intensity. South Africa has the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the world and produces long-aging, diverse and fine wines.
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About this Item
Eben Sadie is South Africa’s most revered winemaker and he arguably kick-started the local fine wine revolution. Over two decades his pursuit for quality in the Swartland has been unparalleled in South Africa and he was voted Winemaker of the Year in 2017 by the International Master of Wine Institute. Eben’s wines were influenced by the Rhône and Spain, with traditional local varieties sourced from pockets of old bush vines and unique terroirs. Long-ageing Columella is often regarded as South Africa’s best red, while Palladius similarly offers an incredible Swartland expression and decades of longevity. The old vine single vineyard series, which was first released in the 2009 vintage, is now firmly the most sought-after release of the year. Mev Kirsten is South Africa’s rarest white wine, produced from a century old Stellenbosch vineyard, while the now legendary Skurfberg received 100 points from Tim Atkin in 2020.
Named after the abundant native scorpions that make their home here, Skerpioen is an unirrigated 2.4-hectare, 80+-year-old vineyard of Chenin Blanc and Palomino that forms part of Sadie’s Old Vine Series (Ouwingerdreeks).
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘Interplanted & co-vinified chenin & palomino ex 60 year old vines near Swartland’s cool Atlantic coast. 2018 delicate citrus blossom & honey scents; flavours more emphatic yet still pure, earthy, saline; chalky texture from limestone soil; finish lifted, lengthened by fresh acidity.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 4.5* (94/100)
‘Now that I've visited the vineyard, I admire this wine even more, such is the heroism required to grow grapes in such an isolated site. Combining Chenin Blanc and Palomino grown on sand a limestone soils, it's pale, fragrant, yeasty and salty with notes of kelp, quince and citrus and some stony, struck-match reduction. 2019-28’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2019, 97/100
‘The 2018 Skerpioen, a field blend of Chenin Blanc and Palomino, has a detailed bouquet of pressed white flowers, honeysuckle and dried apricot aromas that blossom with aeration. The palate is taut and fresh, and the saline finish remains tight and linear, perhaps just tapering a little earlier than I might have liked. Otherwise, this is very fine.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 91/100 (Oct 2019)
‘Fresh and zippy, the 2018 Old Vine Series Skerpioen opens with citrus and in a shy way. The palate moves more citrus-driven with a soft salinity that is very pleasing on the mid-palate, showing a focused and clean expression with a mineral backbone that I find in the range of Sadie Family wines. The finish is pure and structured and begs for fresh seafood and shellfish. Medium-bodied with lively acidity, this is serious wine made from a blend of Chenin Blanc and Palomino that is simply delicious! Stellar!’ – Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 92+/100 (Oct 2019)
‘From a Swartland field blend of Chenin Blanc and Palamino. Aromatics of lime and green apple with a herbal note in the background. Lean and linear with super-fresh acidity and a long, pithy finish. An arresting wine with great energy.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 93/100 (Jul 2019)
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