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
‘Profound blend Semillon Blanc and Gris from old Olifants River vines yields bone-dry, salty, fino-like tanginess in 2013 (5th vintage but new to this guide). Abundant white pepper spiciness and sweet yellow fruit beneath steely phenolic breadth, focused by lemon and lime. A revelation!’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2015, 4.5*
'Laing Semillon. Still rich but nervier than the 2010. Bit of chew and very rich and refined. Honeyed. Lots of texture and massive interest to come. Strong and honeyed and ‘I can drink it’, says Eben, compared with the 2010.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Jan 2015)
'The 2013 Old Vine Series Kokerboom has a complex nose: honeysuckle, jasmine, fynbos, touches of lavender and fennel emerging with time. The palate is beautifully balanced with a crisp line of acidity, subtle notes of orange zest, mandarin, dried pineapple, Asia spices and cumin toward the finish that has a slight Indian influence. Stunning.' – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Oct 2014)
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