Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

'Pronounced earthy, sappy, green leaf style with notes of dried herbs, fynbos, sandalwood and leafy red currant tangy berry fruits. The acids are electric, cool and glassy. Just a measured amount of tertiary complexity developing.' - Greg Sherwood MW, 95/100 (Jan 2023)

'60-year-old Grenache Noir on granite soils. Dry-farmed bushvines at 708 m. Very dry west coast environment. Basket press to very old foudres and concrete tanks, ie no oak influence. Bottling straight off the lees, no fining, no filtration, bottled after 12 months. Only addition ever to wine is 60-70 mg/l SO2. Palish ruby. Smells very stemmy (and then we are told it is 100% whole bunch), a little minty, touch of orange. Beautifully scented. Clear, singing fruit. Lovely bright freshness and silky tannins already. Just a bit too stemmy to score higher.' - Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Jun 2014)

'Distinctive, with bright pine and white pepper notes out front, followed by silky-textured cherry and damson plum fruit. Picks up steam through the finish, with rooibos tea and blood orange hints adding length and cut. Grenache. Drink now through 2018.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Jun 2014)

'Blueberries & violets, hint of Xmas cake, 2012 is seductively perfumed, with the same fruit purity on the palate. Elegant, showcased with minimal trappings, an admirable lesson in thoughtful handling of old Piekenierskloof bushvine grenache.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2014, 4.5*

'The 2012 Old Vine Series Soldaat has a distinctive tertiary and undergrowth-scented bouquet with gunflint/firecracker scents developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle, saline entry that is reminiscent of the sea. The acidity is nicely judged with a generous sprinkle of white pepper on the Chateauneuf-inspired finish. This is complex and cerebral. Gorgeous!' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Oct 2013)