Sadie Family Wines District Series new releases

Eben Sadie of Sadie Family Wines says that early in his career he was intent on making the “perfect” wine – the kind of wine that would achieve 100 points on the widely used numerical quality scale – but has come to realise that this was a flawed pursuit, one that could obscure the expression of terroir. “I’m increasingly inclined to forgo the notion of perfection in favour of truth, which leads to wines that are deeper and more real.”

Of the 2025 vintage, he says the physical condition of the grapes entering the cellar was exceptional. “We discard 5.5% at sorting on average, but it was only 1% this time,” he says. “A great vintage like 2025 doesn’t necessarily smack you in the face. The wines have incredible build.”

Soldaat 2025
Price: R660

From Piekenierskloof Grenache. 30% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 12 months in concrete tanks. Deep reduction gives way to cranberry, red cherry, strawberry, orange and a hint of fynbos on the nose. The palate is super-concentrated with snappy acidity and fine, tightly knit tannins. Poised and lithe – great fruit definition and structure yet moves effortlessly across the tongue. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 96 | Classic

Pofadder 2025
Price: R660

From Swartland Cinsault. 30% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 11 months in foudre before a further month in concrete. A hint of reduction before cherry, plum and rose. Slender in body with sour-worm acidity and a pithy, lightly dry finish. Elegant, even delicate. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 95 | Delicious

Sonvang 2025
Price: R660

From an own property vineyard planted to Alicante Bouschet, Agiorgitiko, Pontac, Bastardo do Castillo, Trincadeira, Tinta Barocca, Lledoner Pelut, Grenache Noir, Pinotage, Cinsaut, Counoise and Carignan. Matured for 12 months in foudre. Exotic and expressive aromatics of flowers, herbs, menthol, red and black berries and spice. The palate initially appears light and vital, although at 14% alcohol the wine clearly has well concealed concentration. Idiosyncratic and charming without being frivolous, it has few local reference points, making it all the more intriguing – and challenging – to fully comprehend.

CE’s rating: 96 | Distinctive

Treinspoor 2025
Price: R660

From Swartland Tinta Barocca. 30% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 11 months in foudre before a further month in concrete. Heady aromatics of red and black berries, potpourri and fynbos. The palate shows succulent fruit, tangy acidity and tannins that are robust rather than polished. A wine with tons of flavour, this vintage its rusticity worn with aplomb. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 95 | Serious

Skerpioen 2025
Price: R660

From a Swartland vineyard co-planted to Chenin Blanc and Palomino. Matured for 12 months in acacia and oak foudres. Gorgeous aromatics of flowers, herbs, pear, peach and citrus. The palate is rich without being weighty or listless. It has impressive volume and drive, culminating in a finish that is pithy, almost grippy. So pure and balanced. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 97 | Classic

‘T Voetpad 2025
Not generally available.

Established between 1887 and 1928, a Piketberg (Swartland) co-planting of historic Cape varieties: Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris, Palomino, Chenin Blanc, and Muscat d’Alexandrie. Matured for 12 months in foudre. Profound aromatics of white, green and yellow fruit, flowers and herbs; the complexity of the nose becomes almost impossible to articulate. The palate is dense yet poised, with remarkable vitality, pithy texture and extraordinary persistence. Breathtaking in its intricacy. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 99 | Classic

Kokerboom 2025
Price: R660

From Citrusdal Mountain Semillon. Matured for 12 months in foudre. Aromas of herbs, hay, grapefruit and a hint of reduction. The palate is dense, broad and pleasantly substantial; moderate acidity, the finish gently savoury. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 94 | Serious

Twiswind 2025
Price: R660

From an own property vineyard co-planted to Vermentino, Picpoul, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Cinsaut Blanc, Palominio, Chenin Blanc, Grillo, Assyrtiko, Verdelho, Clairette Blanche and Semillon. Matured in concrete tank and wooden vats for 11 months. A touch of flinty reduction before lime, lemon and green apple. The palate is tightly wound with super-concentrated fruit, big acidity and a dry, persistent finish. That much more striking than the maiden 2024 vintage. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 95 | Distinctive

Skurfberg 2025
Price: R660

From Citrusdal Mountain Chenin Blanc. Matured for 12 months in foudre. Expressive aromatics of stone fruit, a hint of pineapple and yeasty complexity. Rich and broad on the palate with a creamy texture, moderate acidity and a gently savoury finish, a slight phenolic bitterness lending definition and intrigue. Alc; 14.5%.

CE’s rating: 96 | Luxurious

Rotsbank 2025
Price: R660

From Swartland Chenin Blanc. Matured for 12 months in foudre. Gunflint, peach and fynbos on the nose. The palate has excellent fruit concentration and a creamy texture, yet retains freshness and line, the finish long and savoury. Pure, poised and energetic, it impresses more through precision than sheer complexity. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 96 | Serious

Mev. Kirsten 2025
Price: R1,380

From a Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch vineyard planted largely in 1905. Matured for 12 months in foudre. Citrus, peach, fynbos, ginger and a touch of earthiness on the nose. The palate is extraordinarily self-contained – dense fruit, seamlessly integrated acidity, impressive mid-palate weight and a gently grippy finish. Exceptionally detailed, but above all possessing a sense of completeness and composure that is difficult to quantify. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 98 | Classic

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