Sadie Family Wines District Series new releases

With the release of the 2023 vintage, what was the Old Vine Series (“Ouwingerdreeks”) from Sadie Family Wines becomes the District Series (“Distrikreeks”).

“We now want to highlight the notion of the individual terroirs rather than the mere age of the vines,” says Eben Sadie – grapes drawn from three distinct districts, namely Swartland (Rotsbank, Skerpioen, ‘T Voetpad, Pofadder, Treinspoor, Columella and Palladius), Citrusdal Mountain (Kokerboom, Skurfberg and Soldaat) and Stellenbosch (Mev. Kirsten).

Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Soldaat 2023
Price: R550
From Piekenierskloof Grenache. 60% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 12 months in concrete tanks. The nose shows a slight reductive top note before strawberry, rose and earth. Medium bodied with vibrant acidity and fine tannins. Pure and focussed Alc: 13.18%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Pofadder 2023
R550
From Swartland Cinsault. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 11 months in foudre before a further month in concrete. Cranberry, strawberry and musk on the nose while the palate has lovely fruit definition, crisp acidity and finish that’s lightly grippy in texture and savoury in flavour. Alc: 13.2%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Treinspoor 2023
Price: R550
From Swartland Tinta Barocca. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 11 months in foudre before a further month in concrete. Complex aromatics of red and black berries, potpourri, fynbos, earth and spice. The palate has a nice tension about it and might even be described as elegant. Not too slight despite a moderate alcohol of 12.81% – pure fruit, fresh acidity and nicely grippy tannins, the finish super-dry.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Skerpioen 2023
Price: R550
From a Swartland vineyard co-planted to Chenin Blanc and Palamino. Matured for 12 months in cask. Pear, peach and lime plus hints of blossom and sea breeze. The palate is light and ethereal – pure and crisp with a pithy finish. Alc: 13.4%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

‘T Voetpad 2023
Not generally available. From a Swartland field blend of Chenin Blanc, Palomino, Muscat d’ Alexandrie and Semillon Blanc and Gris. Matured for 12 months in cask and foudre. Extraordinarily complex aromatics with top notes of potpourri and honeysuckle before pear, peach, soft citrus, grapefruit, a hint of ginger and some leesy complexity. Lovely fruit integrity, fresh acidity and a nicely grippy finish. Intricate and sophisticated in terms of both texture and flavour. Profoundly, profoundly good. Alc: 13.74%.

CE’s rating: 98/100.

Kokerboom 2023
Price: R550
From Citrusdal Mountain Semillon. Matured for 12 months in cask. A reductive top note before lime, lemon, grapefruit, green apple and a hint of fennel. Dense and smooth textured on the palate, the acidity well integrated, the finish definitively dry. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Skurfberg 2023
Price: R550
From Citrusdal Mountain Chenin Blanc, this vintage labelled in honour of grower Basie van Lill who died on 24 May 2023. Matured for 12 months in cask. Flinty reduction before pear, peach, soft citrus, earth and spice on the nose while the palate has great composure about it – textured but not greasy or heavy. Pure and fresh with a finish that’s long and pithy. Alc: 14.1%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Rotsbank 2023
Price: R550
From Swartland Chenin Blanc – a Paardeberg vineyard on a rock shelf with very shallow soil. Matured for 12 months in cask. Beautiful aromatics of fynbos, jasmine, pear, peach and citrus plus a little flinty reduction. Medium bodied with fresh acidity and a slightly salty finish. Possessing great clarity, this positively vibrates with energy. Alc: 13.55%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Mev. Kirsten 2023
Price: R1,175
Matured for 12 months in cask and foudre. Peach, nectarine, lemon and orange plus spice on the nose. The palate is rich, round and full of flavour. Tangy acidity lends propulsion while the finish is gently savoury. Possessing plenty of power and intensity, this is a beast of a wine. Alc: 14.15%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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