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.
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
'Equal chenin, palomino in taut 2015 blend from vines grown in unique chalky West Coast soils (WO Swartland). Unexpressive bouquet mid-2016 but true-to-form palate: steely, with fine acidity, salinity & endless savoury, pithy persistence. Year in half concrete ‘egg’, rest very old vats.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5*
'The 2015 Old Vine Series Skerpioen is the Chenin/Palomino cuvée. It is reticent on the nose and demands encouragement, with slight resinous scents with a touch of Jasmine. The palate is where the character lies with walnut, orange rind, potent salinity and an effervescent, vivacious spiciness towards the finish that is driven along by the acidity (the highest among Eben's OVS series in this vintage). This is excellent.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Apr 2017)
'(14%; aged in a concrete egg and old vats; from old vines planted on chalky soil in one of the coolest locations in the Swartland): Pale, clear straw-yellow. Sexy, subtly complex scents of lanolin, apple, smoky minerals, elderflower and botanical herbs; smells salty! Then wonderfully supple yet penetrating and firm in the mouth, offering terrific definition and lift to its lemon and saline flavors; as brisk as this is, it's also got terrific breadth and texture without weight. Even more closed than the 2014 was two years ago but this should make a brilliant bottle in two or three years and last well. A bit less fruity than the Skurfberg but even chewier and more vibrant, and long on the uncompromisingly dry finish. Really stimulates the olfactories.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 94/100 (Apr 2017)
'One of the few sites with limestone in the Swartland, this remarkable, dry-farmed vineyard is planted with Chenin and Palomino. The result is as brilliant as ever: saline, refreshing and sculpted, with mealy, leesy complexity and a pithy, ocean breeze finish. Stunning. Drink: 2016-22' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2016, 97/100
'A Swartland field blend of Chenin Blanc and Palomino planted between 1958 and 1967. On the nose, pear and white peach, dried herbs and a hint of reduction. Relatively light and fresh (despite an alcohol of 14%) with a very savoury, almost saline finish. Not without texture but this phenolic rather than oily or greasy. Attention grabbing if not absolutely perfect.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 92/100 (Aug 2016)
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