Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

‘2016:
‘Dryland chenin from Olifants River. 2016 as impressive, distinguished as ever despite severe drought pressure; an honest reflection of the vintage & venerable site. Slightly richer, warmer (14.5% alcohol) than 2015, it’s still compact, perfectly balanced & beguiling in its earthy minerality.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2018, 5* (95/100)

‘One of only two Chenins in the old vine series, this comes from three farms on the slopes of the Skurfberg. Naturally fermented in old wood, it’s a stunning white with white flower aromas, notes of pastry, citrus and nectarine and an intensity that builds and builds on the palate. The finish is long and very mineral. 2018-24’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 97/100

‘Chenin Blanc. Smoky nose – the most reductive I have so far encountered in this tasting. Rich underneath with fabulous tension. What’s not to like? Creamy texture.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17+/20 (Oct 2017)

'Eben Sadie’s Skurfberg 2016 from Chenin Blanc planted between 1940 and 1955 up the West Coast pretty much in the middle of nowhere, is staggeringly good. On the nose, dried herbs and flowers, before citrus, peach, apple and vanilla pod. The palate shows extraordinary fruit density plus a little bit of phenolic grip making this a particularly forceful vintage – it seems even more concentrated than the 2015 but perhaps with slightly less verve. Layers and layers of flavour, including the vaguest sense of bitterness on the finish which only adds to the drinking experience.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100

2018:
‘Chenin off three old-vine dryland parcels in Olifants River, crop decimated by drought to around 30%. 2018 triumphs over adversity. Harmonious, spare but not insubstantial build; shy earthy, peachy notes leading to mineral, firmly dry conclusion. Speaks of place rather than variety.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 5* (96/100)

‘The sources of Eben Sadie's amazing West Coast Chenin Blanc have been reduced from three to two in 2018, leaving him with Basie van Lill and Joshua Visser, which is not a bad team to have. Grown on red, iron-rich decomposed sandstone, this is one of the world's great whites, a bold, yet incredibly focused wine that is sappy, floral and almost ludicrously long on the palate. 2021-28’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 98/100

2019:
'From three old-vine, dryland blocks of chenin in Olifants River, 2019 yielded miserly 30% of usual crop. Has concentration, aromatic purity notable in all the whites. Full bodied, ripely dry, with abundant rich flavours (dried peach, quince) & flesh, sustained by tense minerality.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (95/100)

'A one-hudred-point white? From South Africa? I can almost hear the tutting and clucking from here. But I defy anyone to taste this monumental wine, preferably among a line-up of other, world-class wines and resist its charms. The crop was down 60%, resulting in an old-vine Chenin of mind-blowing focus, depth and concentration. Quince, lemon and subtle Asian spices segue into a palate of nuances, corners, light and shade and dark. Well done, Eben Sadie. Well done, the van Lill family, who grow the grapes. Well done, South Africa. 2023-31' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 100/100