Rhône theme
Timed Online Auction, 30 January - 10 February 2025
Rhône - South Africa
About the SessionOver the past decade South African Rhône-style offerings have witnessed an explosion in popularity, led by the Swartland in the 2010s and subsequently spreading across the Cape.
About this Item
The Piekenierskloof took its name from the piekeniers (foot soldiers) who were located at the top of the pass of the mountain to protect the lifestock in this part of the old Cape Colony from theft, hence this parcel of vines being named Soldaat (Soldier). This pure Grenache on granite soils is often said to have a nose ‘reminiscent of an old Rayas’. Forming part of Sadie’s Old Vine Series, only 350 cases were produced.
Provenance
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
'The 2015 Old Vine Series Soldaat is one of the few labels from Eben that is still 100% whole bunch, aged in concrete only. It has a brambly red berry fruit, a slight granitic note overlayed by wilted rose petal. The palate is very fresh and vibrant on the entry, perhaps a little more body and density than previous vintages that I have tasted, with immense purity and varietal expression on the finish. This is excellent and a very strong follow-up to the 2014.' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Apr 2017)
'High-pitched, with bright savory and shiso leaf notes out front, giving this a piercing feel as blood orange, damson plum and bitter cherry fruit races in behind. The long, mineral-edged finish has lovely tension.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Mar 2017)
'This sandstone-based vineyard is located at 850 metres, but is picked among the first sites in Piekenierskloof. Whole bunch fermented in concrete, the resulting wine is all about fruit. Earthy, tangy and just a little feral, with smoky, spicy complexity and a slightly vegetal finish. Not quite a match for the other Sadie wines in 2015. Drink: 2016-20' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2016, 92/100
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