Collection 2016

Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

Sadie Family Kokerboom 2016:
'Stunning, with peach, nectarine, orange and tangerine flavors forming the prodigious core, backed by verbena, green almond and mirabelle plum notes that lend tension and drive from the start. Everything is caressed by a warm brioche accent on the very long finish. Tantalizing now, but this feels like it has more to give with time. Sémillon. Best from 2020 through 2028.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 96/100 (Feb 2018)

'Semillon from Olifants River, raised in large old oak 'stukvate'. Statuesque, slightly smoky 2016's hay/dried pear nose & palate opulent & luxurious, shot through with variety's signature acidity but less austere, more generous than rapier-like 2015 (5 stars, 97 pts).' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5* (92/100)

'There's usually one standout Sadie Family white in any given vintage, and this is it for me in 2016. Made with 85-year-old Semillon Blanc and Gris from Henk Laing's Trekpoort farm, this is complex, concentrated and beautifully balanced with notes of grapefruit, passion fruit, creamy lees, subtle oak and a tight, minerally grip. World class. 2018-26' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 98/100

Sadie Family Pofadder 2016:
'Exceptional clarity of hue, red fruit & purpose in 2016 from old Riebeek-Kasteel cinsaut vineyard courtesy year in neutral foudre. Disarmingly dry (1.9 g/l), tad leaner than usual yet with great persistence & presence, delicate grip for few years ageing. 2014 (4.5 stars, 93 pts) was the last we tasted.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 5* (95/100)

'The nose shows a particular poached pear quality as well as black cherry with notes of lavender, earth and spice in the background. On the palate, lovely fruit concentration, lemon-like acidity and fine tannins. The finish meanwhile is long and dry in a way rarely achieved in South Africa - grippy but not astringent making the wine extraordinarily food-friendly and very more-ish. Benchmark stuff.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100 (Aug 2017)

'Described as "the most challenging wine we work with" by Eben Sadie, this pure Cinsaut is light, scented and charming, with notes of rose petal and candy floss, summer berry flavours and a crunchy, taut, pomegranate-like finish. The challenge was worth the effort. 2018-24' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 94/100

Sadie Family Skerpioen 2016:
'The 2016 Skerpioen from Sadie Family Winery is the only vintage not reviewed on Vinous and so why not fill in the gap? It is a brilliant Chenin Blanc and Palomino blend; there's a razor-sharp definition on the nose with scents of seaweed and sea spray, a background of flinty aromas emerging with time. The palate offers exquisite balance thanks to its silver bead of acidity, that marine theme continuing towards its almost balletic, graceful finish with hazelnut and a pistachio hint on the aftertaste. I often think that Sadie's Old Vine Series wines are drunk too young, and this wine not only benefits from a bit of bottle age but will clearly give another 15-20 years of drinking pleasure.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100 (Jan 2023)

'Intense and still youthfully tight, with verbena and white peach notes leading the way for yellow apple, chamomile, white ginger and jasmine flavors. A lovely quinine streak is well-embedded, giving this tension and vibrancy through the finish. Chenin Blanc and Palomino. Drink now through 2024.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Feb 2018)

'This equal blend of Chenin and Palomino comes from an unirrigated vineyard on (rare) limestone soils close to the Atlantic. It's a little broader than the 2015, but has lovely beeswax and yeast characters supported by a salty tang. 2017-23' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 95/100

Sadie Family Skurfberg 2016:
'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)

'Rich and layered in feel, with creamed yellow apple, heather, chamomile and pear flavors gliding through, backed by light fennel and green almond accents on the finish. The energy here ripples underneath, thanks to well-embedded acidity, giving this length to match the depth. Chenin Blanc. Drink now through 2023.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Feb 2018)

'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

Sadie Family Columella 2016:
'A tightly wound but well-crafted example, this needs a little bit of air at the moment, but will be better after a few years of cellaring. Elegant, featuring notes of damson plum, black tea and lavender, with juicy acidity and firm, integrated tannins providing support. Shows balance, intensity and depth.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (May 2019)

'On the nose, the 2016 Columella reminds me of sitting on the beach eating a bowl of blackberries and dark cherries. The nose has a structural rigidity with a firm mineral presence, which I typically get from the Northern Rhône. Once on the palate, the wine expands in the mouth, unfolding its layers, showing great complexity with a tightly structured grip. Medium-bodied, the complexity continues on to the finish, continually expressing new sensations, ending with fresh cherry skins with a long, taught finish. Very few wines show this elegance and mineral tension, alongside with the dusty freshness and vibrancy. Columella has always had a special place in my heart, and this is a fine example. You'll want to lay this down in your cellar for some time. I have the notion that it is going to age like a king. Impressive!' - Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 93+/100 (Oct 2019)

'The 2016 Columella was matured for 12 months in 10% new oak and then 12 months in old foudres. There is something warm and comforting about the nose: blueberry, crushed violet, a touch of burning embers, almost a damp clay scent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, the Syrah not as pronounced as previous vintages (a policy pursued by Eben as he increased Grenache), and delivering gentle grip toward the slightly peppered finish and long, black-pepper-tinged aftertaste. Very impressive.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100 (Aug 2018)

Sadie Family Treinspoor 2016
'Enticing, with black cherry and blackberry fruit racing along, underscored by light brambly grip, hints of dried anise and black tea notes. A sleek iron detail cuts through the finish, leaving a mouthwatering feel. Tinta Barocca. Drink now through 2021.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Feb 2018)

'Made from 42 year old Tinta Barocca sourced from a vineyard in the Swartland, the 2016 new release appears to have reached a nouveau of quality not seen before for this variety in South Africa. This latest bottling rides on a wave of lifted perfumed perfection, with intense red cherry pastille, parma violets, rose water and sweet jasmine all mingling with seductive, piecing red and black bramble berry fruits. The palate shows a vibrant focus and purity of fruit I don't recall ever seeing to this degree on this wine before. There are lashings of sweet cherry sherbet bon bons, pink musk sweets, red currant confit , purple nastergal (African nightshade berry), and tart Victoria plums. Wonderful concentration, palate tingling acidity freshness and superb harmonious depth. The 'poor cousin' in the Old Vine Series has just hit the jackpot and is riding high. Drink now to 2030+' - Greg Sherwood MW, 96/100 (Jul 2017)

'Located next to an old railway line, four kilometres to the west of Malmesbury, this vineyard makes a rare varietal Tinta Barocca. Serious, compact and slightly wild, it's a savoury, slightly austere number with a firm, chewy finish. True to the variety. 2019-25' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 93/100

'100% Tinta Barocca from 42-year-old vines. Immediately interesting and you feel the grape has been wrestled into submission. A ittle dry and without massive fruit weight in the middle, but competent.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Jun 2017)