Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

2011:
'This old, unirrigated bush vine Chenin comes from a wide-spread vineyard to the west of Cederberg. The acidity is bracing here, mor in style of a Loire expression of the grape, but this is still rich and focused, with pear, peach and honey to the fore. Taut and minerally, it has a chalky, minerally edge that sustains the wine on the finish. Drink 2013-20.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2013, 95/100

'It has a very delicate, precise bouquet of walnut, lemon rind, blackcurrant leaf and lanolin. The palate is beautifully balanced with tightly wound citric fruit and minerals. The finish is reticent at the moment, but both its intensity and persistency suggest it will reward years of bottle age.' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Dec 2012)

2012:
'Tiny yield off 80+ year old Olifants River dryland chenin vines. 2012 is the mineral face of the variety, with subtle grapefruit, peach pip; quieter than 2011. Great purity achieved by minimal handling, natural ferment, bottle-age.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2014, 5*

'The 2012 Old Vine Series Skurfberg is a Chenin Blanc from the Olifants River. It offers an understated bouquet that unfolds delicately in the glass, with hints of lemon curd, apricot blossom and lime cordial. The palate is well-balanced and offers more of a textural experience than overt flavors. It has a lovely waxy texture with a touch of lemongrass on the finish leaving the mouth tingling after the wine has departed. Excellent.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate 92/100 (2013)

2013:
‘Fine dryland Chenin from Olifants River. 2013 generously weighty, rounded mouthfeel and gradually unfurling stonefruit sweetness, edged by light spice and lemon. Broad, rich texture focused by enticing minerality and fresh acidity. Same minimal handling as pure 2012 (5 stars).’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2015, 4.5*

‘Made from pure Chenin Blanc, this wine reaches levels of complexity and intensity normally only white blends from SA can hope to achieve. The nose is dusty and slatey, leaving the fruit nuances to fight through the minerality. Plenty of dry citrus peel, nectarine skins, crunchy white peaches and sweet pear blossom. The palate is taught yet textural, saline, citric and bright. The palate is laden with dusty white citrus, honey suckle, with finely balanced breadth and depth. Tantalising cassis leaf, yellow crab apple and crunchy white peaches dominate a long, vibrant, fresh finish. The 2013 is slightly more overt and fleshy than the taught 2012 I drank with Eben at the Adi Badenhorst Oesaf last week, but still boasts amazing concentration and classism that should allow this wine to age gracefully for 20+ years. An epic expression of Chenin!’ – Greg Sherwood MW, The Fine Wine Safari, 96/100 (Apr 2017)

2014:
'From 90-year-old Chenin Blanc vines on sandstone soil, the 2014 Skurfberg is closed on the nose at first and then gradually unfurls with dried honey, honeysuckle, broom and hazelnut scents, just a touch of yeastiness underneath. It has wonderful delineation and complexity. The palate is extremely well balanced with enthralling poise and race, freshly sliced pear and red apple interlaced with five-spice towards the long finish. This is one of those wines that needs to be cellared for several years and will definitely repay you.' - Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, 95/100 (Nov 2015)

2015:
'The 2015 Old Vine Series Skurfberg, Eben Sadie's pure Chenin Blanc was picked late afternoon and driven to the winery through the night when it is cooler. It offers attractive aromas of lanolin, nutmeg, nectarine and peach skin, well defined and gaining intensity all the time with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, smoked walnut, bitter lemon and a pinch of white pepper, developing more and more intensity with time. This is sublime.' - Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, 93/100 (Apr 2017)

2016:
'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

'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)

'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

2017:
‘A great grower, a great site, a great winemaker and a great vintage: it doesn’t get much better in the Chenin Blanc world than this stunning, focused, multi-dimensional white from Basie van Lill’s property on the Skurfberg. Combining citrus and stone fruit flavours, it’s a wine that’s steered and marshalled by its acidity. Stunning. 2020-28’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 98/100

‘Bright and juicy, with detailed yellow apple, white peach, star fruit, heather and salted butter notes streaming through in unison. Shows nice cut on the finish. Chenin Blanc. Drink now through 2022.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (May 2019)

‘Now coming from Olifant's River, the 2018 Old Vine Series Skurfberg is Chenin Blanc at its finest. The nose opens with the precision and focus to be one of South Africa's greatest bottles of Chenin Blanc, showcasing pineapple with a rocky minerality, that is tightly wrapped with citrus and tropical fruits aromas. The palate is just ripe, with golden apples and freshly squeezed lemon peel with an undercurrent of pleasing waxy bitterness. This wine has length, is well-balanced with high complexity and I felt myself do a double take, eagerly going back for a second sip. The medium-bodied wine ends with a long dusty, thought-provoking finish.’ - Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Oct 2019)