The Wines of Loire
Timed Online Auction, 1 - 8 May 2023
Session 1
About the SessionThe Loire Valley is a large region that follows the longest river of France. The Loire is an exceptional place to find lean, racy, white wines, including those of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadet. Red varieties include Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Cot (Malbec), which produces herbaceous, rustic reds.
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About this Item
Eben Sadie is South Africa’s most revered winemaker and he arguably kick-started the local fine wine revolution. Over two decades his pursuit for quality in the Swartland has been unparalleled in South Africa and he was voted Winemaker of the Year in 2017 by the International Master of Wine Institute. Eben’s wines were influenced by the Rhône and Spain, with traditional local varieties sourced from pockets of old bush vines and unique terroirs. Long-ageing Columella is often regarded as South Africa’s best red, while Palladius similarly offers an incredible Swartland expression and decades of longevity. The old vine single vineyard series, which was first released in the 2009 vintage, is now firmly the most sought-after release of the year. Mev Kirsten is South Africa’s rarest white wine, produced from a century old Stellenbosch vineyard, while the now legendary Skurfberg received 100 points from Tim Atkin in 2020.
Critics Ratings
‘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)
Provenance
Wine Cellar Private Client
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