Sadie Family
Skurfberg 2017 - 2019
Cape Heritage
About the SessionA selection of South Africa’s finest wines, inspired by our rich wine heritage and the unique character of the Cape Winelands. Chenin Blanc is celebrated for its remarkable versatility, producing an exceptional range of wine styles, particularly in South Africa, home to the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the world. These historic vineyards continue to produce wines of great diversity, elegance, and ageing potential. The Pinotage selection showcases leading producers, all of whom have become consistent flag bearers for this proudly South African variety.
ZAR 3 800
About this Item
This three vintage vertical of Skurfberg, 2017 - 2019, traces one of the most dramatic arcs in South African wine history, from the brilliant, focused 2017 through the drought reduced 2018 to the epoch defining 2019 which earned a perfect 100 points from Tim Atkin MW.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
2017:
'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)
'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
2018:
'Chenin off three old-vine dryland parcels in Olifants River, crop decimated by drought to around 30%. 2018 triumphs over adversity. Harmonious, spare but not insubstantial build; shy earthy, peachy notes leading to mineral, firmly dry conclusion. Speaks of place rather than variety.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2020, 5* (96/100)
'The sources of Eben Sadie's amazing West Coast Chenin Blanc have been reduced from three to two in 2018, leaving him with Basie van Lill and Joshua Visser, which is not a bad team to have. Grown on red, iron-rich decomposed sandstone, this is one of the world's great whites, a bold, yet incredibly focused wine that is sappy, floral and almost ludicrously long on the palate. 2021-28' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 98/100
2019:
'From three old-vine, dryland blocks of chenin in Olifants River, 2019 yielded miserly 30% of usual crop. Has concentration, aromatic purity notable in all the whites. Full bodied, ripely dry, with abundant rich flavours (dried peach, quince) & flesh, sustained by tense minerality.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (95/100)
'A one-hudred-point white? From South Africa? I can almost hear the tutting and clucking from here. But I defy anyone to taste this monumental wine, preferably among a line-up of other, world-class wines and resist its charms. The crop was down 60%, resulting in an old-vine Chenin of mind-blowing focus, depth and concentration. Quince, lemon and subtle Asian spices segue into a palate of nuances, corners, light and shade and dark. Well done, Eben Sadie. Well done, the van Lill family, who grow the grapes. Well done, South Africa. 2023-31' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 100/100
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