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 for the striking tree aloes near the old vineyard it comes from. The vineyard was planted in the 1930s, with a mix of standard Semillon and a red-berried form of the grape once common in the Cape and probably unique to this country, but now almost vanished. Both versions used to be called “Greengrape”.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘Enticing, with tangerine, nectarine and orange notes forming a juicy, almost unctuous core, while bitter almond, acacia and citrus oil details fill in through the dense and lengthy finish. Offers lots of coiled energy. Intense. Sémillon. Best from 2021 through 2028.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (May 2019)
‘Semillon - both white & red variant - from Olifants River, 18 month on lees in large old oak ‘stukvate’ (foudres). Like smoky 2016 (92 pts), lemon-toned 2017 most fruit-filled in line-up, with variety’s spirited acidity contrasting with its richness, driving persistent finish.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93/100)
‘Right up there with the equally brilliant 2016, this incredible blend of Semillon Blanc and Gris from Henk Laing’s Trekpoort farm on Citrusdal Mountain took six months to finish fermenting in 2017. A “ridiculous vineyard” it may be, but the wine it produces is rich and waxy with stony, pink grapefruit-like acidity. 2020-27’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 98/100
‘The 2017 Kokerboom is Sadie’s pure Sémillon from vines that are now 93 years old. It has a very well defined bouquet of yellow flowers, jasmine and touches of orange pith. The palate is supremely well balanced, with a perfect line of acidity, a waxy texture and hints of white pepper, lemon curd and a dab of sour lemon that lingers in the mouth. This is quite profound.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 96/100 (Aug 2018)
‘From Semillon planted in the 1930s from the Olifants River area. A pronounced nose of white peach, green apple, hay and herbs plus a slight waxy note. A powerful and voluminous palate – great fruit concentration, lovely creamy texture and tangy acidity make this a very striking wine. Alcohol: 13.5%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100 (Nov 2018)
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