Critics Ratings

Sadie Family Kokerboom 2014:
‘‘Semillon blanc (no gris this vintage) in tight, austere 2014 from Skurfberg vines, basket pressed & raised in foudres. Linear & focused, with rapier-like acidity & stony, mineral elegance (has lowest alcohol yet), demanding plenty time in bottle to reveal well-concealed fruit.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

A blend of Semillon Blanc and Semillon Gris planted in the early 1900s, the 2014 Old Vine Series Kokerboom has a very subtle bouquet, extremely nuanced with lanolin, beeswax, dried apricot and just a touch of brioche. The palate is very well balanced, slightly candied on the entry with dried orange peel and dried quince. There is a lovely texture here, just a mote of waxiness with a finish that is reposed and effortless. This is perhaps more approachable compared to the Skurfberg, but likewise it will repay cellaring.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94+/100 (Nov 2015)

‘The 2014 vintage of The Old Vine Series Kokerboom made by Eben Sadie is demanding stuff. From Olifantsrivier Semillon, the vineyards were planted in the 1930s and include both the white-berried and the red-berried form of the grape. On the nose, lime, pear, white peach, red table grape, thatch, dried herbs and some yeasty complexity – the list goes on. The palate meanwhile shows huge intensity, being weighty but not ponderous, the tangy, lemon-like acidity lending balance before a savoury finish. It’s a compelling wine deserving of a good few hours of contemplation.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100 (Aug 2015)

Sadie Family Mev Kirsten 2014:
'Richly layered, with pear, ginger, white peach and almond cream notes that glide along seamlessly, carried by perfectly embedded acidity through the chamomile- and verbena-infused finish. Balanced by good cut, this flows, rather than races, along. A beauty. Chenin Blanc. Drink now through 2020. 82 cases made – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Apr 2016)

'Mrs. Kirsten passed away on April 10, 2015, so lucky recipients of the 2014 Old Vine Series Mev Kirsten will notice a little homage to this lady on the neck label. It has an extremely complex, quite profound bouquet: melted wax mixed with damp soil, white tea, candied orange peel and dandelion. The palate is very pure and slightly waxy in texture, with touches of white pepper and rosemary sprinkled over the lightly honeyed fruit, dialing down the gears towards the finish that is so effortless. This is a cerebral wine -- 750 milliliters of delicious intellect.’ – Neal Martin 96/100, Wine Advocate (2015)

'Mrs Kirsten herself may have passed away this year, but the vineyard that bears her name, planted in 1925, is as sprightly as ever. Clay amphora-fermented, this is floral, flinty and deeply coloured, with wild honey sweetness and a pithy, lemon zest and green apple finish. Drink: 2015-20' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 95/100

Sadie Family Pofadder 2014:
'Eben Sadie’s pure Cinsault has done wonders for the reputation of this under-rated variety in the Cape. Fermented in concrete and large wooden foudres with 100% whole bunches, this is fine and refreshing, with damson and black cherry fruit and more acidity than the 2013 release. Drink: 2015-20' - Tim Atkin SA Wine Report 2015, 95/100

'From 48-year-old vine Cinsault grown on slate soils, the 2014 Old Vine Series Pofadder has an extremely pure bouquet, less tertiary than the 2014 Soldaat (grown on decomposed sandstone), with touches of pressed flowers infusing the fresh strawberry and redcurrant fruit. With aeration, there is an intriguing incense/potpourri note. The palate is taut and crisp, brimming over with tension and extremely focused with slightly more brittle tannins than the Soldaat - lending the chalky-textured finish fine symmetry, albeit without quite the same sustain. It might sound odd, but it tastes fabulous.' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Nov 2015)

Sadie Family Skerpioen 2014:
‘‘Equal chenin, palomino in taut 2014 blend brings back bracing sting in tail - missing in 2013 (5 stars, 96 pts), from vines grown in unique chalky West Coast soils (WO Swartland). Perfect fruit, acid balance & lower alcohol ensures impressive harmony in pithily structured, lively & profound wine.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

Chalk-based vineyards are comparatively rare in South Africa, but this Swartland site, planted with the unlikely combination of Palomino and Chenin Blanc in the 1960s, expresses its briney, limestone freshness. Saline and tangy, with taut, lemony bite, some struck match and impressive palate length. Drink: 2015-22’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 96/100

‘Bright yellow. Pungent, underripe stone fruits, mint, orange liqueur, quinine, anise and elderflower on the distinctly salty nose. On the palate, captivating flavors of soft citrus fruits, lemon and sea-spray salinity are framed by powerful acidity (the highest of any of these wines). Very dense wine with plenty of body and a phenolic quality on the very long finish.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 94/100 (Jun 2015)

Sadie Family Skurfberg 2014:
''Exceptionally vibrant, delicately scented 2014 Olifants River dryland chenin flaunts supremely rich, delicious citrus-edged stonefruit, focused by precise, textured acidity & minerality. Profound young wine possesses great clarity & deep complexity, with a lot more to offer with time in bottle.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

Made with grapes from an 88-year-old vineyard on sandstone soils on the West Coast, this unirrigated Chenin is one the Cape’s best whites. Wild flowers, honey, salinity, minerality and a long, flowing, tapering finish, with old oak adding a little texture. Drink: 2015-24' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 96/100

'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, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Dec 2015)

Sadie Family Soldaat 2014:
'Translucent, delicate & utterly expressive 2014 Piekenierskloof grenache. Non-interventionist winemaking allows ethereal pure ripe cherries, cinnamon spice to shine brightly through in hauntingly pale depth & power. Fresh, appetising acidity & silky lightness; long, minerally finish.’ – Platter's SA Wine Guide, 4.5*

‘The 2014 Old Vine Series Soldaat...swear to God...if I was served this blind I would claim it to be a Burgundy Pinot Noir. It has a wonderful definition and transparency, and is extraordinarily pure with an enthralling sous-bois undertow. The palate is taut and linear, very focused, nimble and poised with fine but strict tannin; it is tightly wound with tertiary red berry fruit that segue into a poised finish. This is a serious Grenache from Eben Sadie, one that deserves to be cellared for as long as you can withstand. (Eben thinks it will go into a slumber after a couple of years, so bear that in mind.) Drink 2017-2027.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Nov 2015)

‘Grown at 800 metres, the Grenache from Piekenierskloof is some of the most distinctive in the Cape. Whole bunch spice, fermentation in old cement tanks, supple red fruits and pure, refreshing, high altitude freshness make this one of the best examples of the grape in South Africa. Drink: 2015-21.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 94/100

Sadie Family 'T Voetpad 2014:
'Dense, with white peach, pear, quince and yellow apple fruit flavors forming a prodigious core. Remarkably racy and stony in feel overall, with blanched almond and salted butter notes keeping everything tightly harnessed through the finish. Chenin Blanc, Sémillon, Palomino and Muscat d'Alexandrie. Best from 2017 through 2022.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Apr 2016)

'The 2014 Old Vine Series T Voetpad comes from vines planted in 1887 and where Eben said works the most. A field blend of Semillon Blanc and Gris, Palomino, Chenin Blanc and Muscat, it has an extremely complex bouquet with white fennel, tarragon and rosemary infused tropical fruit with subtle resinous scents developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly honeyed texture, just a pinch of white pepper and fennel, and extremely well balanced with a harmonious, ineffably complex finish that lingers long and tenderly in the mouth. With the Mev Kristen, this is Eben's best Old Vine Series White in 2014. Stunning.' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Nov 2015)

'Planted between 1887 and 1928, the source for this wine is one of the oldest vineyards in South Africa. A blend of Semillon, Semillon Gris, Palomino, Chenin Blanc and Muscat, it’s mealy, complex and focused, showing skin tannins and structure and a sappy, oyster shelllike note. Drink: 2015-22' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 96/100

Sadie Family Treinspoor 2014:
‘The 2014 Old Vine Series Treinspoor is 100% Tinta Barocca planted in 1974, a grape that Eben Sadie rates very highly. There is something placid about the nose, which is refined and reclining in a comfy chair at the moment. The fruit is slightly darker than the 2014 Pofadder, with a hint of vanilla and cola tincturing the dark berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, grainy tannin and supremely well-judged acidity. It becomes more structured and masculine towards the finish, which offers great details, precision and superb mineralité. Eben compared it to a cross between Nebbiolo and a Syrah, and I can see where he is coming from. One of those wines that shifts your preconception about a grape variety.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Nov 2015)

‘Deeply coloured, as it always is, this is a brilliant interpretation of a grape that’s normally used to make fortified wines. Dense, tannic and Italianate, it’s like a cross between an Aglianico and a Nebbiolo, with high acidity, notes of Mediterranean herbs and rich damson and blackberry fruit. Needs time. Drink: 2016-24’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 94/100

‘2014 Swartland tinta barocca feels like Soldaat’s no-frills, overalled brother. Lively, with dry, grippy tannin, generous (but still masked) raspberry fruit & spritzy, appetising acidity. Eben Sadie’s own ‘red of the vintage’, needs time to settle down & reveal its inner self.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2014, 4.5*

Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client