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.
Eben Sadie is South Africa’s most revered winemaker and he arguably kick-started the 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. 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
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
'Cooler site & exceedingly chalky soils interplanted with old-vine chenin & palomino ensures ample acidity in almost equal 2013 blend. Spicy intrigue adds to quiet complexity, while lower acid, higher alcohol than 2012 (4.5 stars) leaves softer, sweeter than usual impression.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2015, 5*
'Packed with yellow apple chutney, white ginger, green almond and glazed pear notes at the core, this shows subtle verbena, talc, blanched almond and honeysuckle flavors that ripple through the pure finish. Chenin Blanc and Palomino. Drink now through 2023.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Feb 2015)
'The 2013 Old Vine Series Skerpioen, a Chenin Blanc and Palomino field blend, has a light, distant bouquet with scents of Mirabelle, lime cordial and a touch of dried quince. The palate is well balanced with a peppery touch on the entry, crisp acidity with notes of Mirin and white pepper towards the finish. Very fine.' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 90/100 (Oct 2014)
'A west coast blend of Palomino and Chenin Blanc that (appropriately enough) has a salty tang and a bready, yeasty flavour that’s reminiscent of Manzanilla Sherry. Sappy, precise and subtly oaked, the wine has flavours and aromas of candle wax, honeysuckle and passion fruit.
Another very complex white from Eben Sadie. Drink: 2014-20' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2014, 94/100
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