Sadie Family Wines The Old Vine Series 2017
By Christian Eedes, 16 November 2018
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The Old Vine Series (“Die Ouwingerdreeks”) from Sadie Family Wines is, quite simply, a masterful collection of wines. Released at the end of July, the individual wines will be hard to come by but you are urged to search high and low.
Kokerboom 2017
From Semillon planted in the 1930s from the Olifants River area. A pronounced nose of white peach, green apple, hay and herbs plus a slight waxy note. A powerful and voluminous palate – great fruit concentration, lovely creamy texture and tangy acidity make this a very striking wine. Alcohol: 13.5%.
Editor’s rating: 94/100.
Mev. Kirsten 2017
From a vineyard in Stellenbosch planted between 1905 and 1920. A billowing nose of potpourri, citrus, stone fruit, earth, ginger and other spice plus a hint of leesy complexity. The palate is super-rich but equally super-fresh, thick-textured yet simultaneously vibrant and so very complex. Utterly compelling. Alcohol: 13%.
Editor’s rating: 96/100.
Skerpioen 2017
A Swartland field blend of Chenin Blanc and Palamino planted between 1958 and 1967. The predominant impression on the nose is of white fruit – pear and white peach – but there are also hints of naartjie, hay and herbs. The palate is pure and direct – not too lean or thin but certainly not weighty. Very fresh acidity and a long, pithy finish.
Editor’s rating: 93/100.
Skurfberg 2017
From Chenin Blanc planted between 1940 and 1955 in the Olifants River area. Quite a shy nose with a top note of hay before citrus and white peach plus some earthiness and a little leesy complexity. The palate shows impressive fruit concentration, coated acidity and a savoury finish. It’s intensely flavoured and seems rather more forceful than previous vintages – alcohol is 14%.
Editor’s rating: 94/100.
‘T Voetpad 2017
A Swartland field blend. An amazingly complex nose – floral perfume and dried herbs before citrus, apple, stone fruit plus some leesy complexity. Rich and full on the palate but wonderfully composed – impressive fruit concentration matched by a great line of acidity and a finish that goes on and on. Dense, layered and grippy, it’s totally arresting. Already very expressive, you nevertheless get the sense that this wine will deliver plenty more in time. Alchol: 13%.
Editor’s rating: 97/100.
Pofadder 2017
From Swartland Cinsault. A subtle and enticing nose displaying cherry, plum, spice and earth with notes of rose and lavender in the background. The palate is rich and broad with moderate yet still tangy acidity and soft, super-fine tannins. A beautifully judged rendition of the variety with an extraordinary transparency about it. Alcohol: 13%.
Editor’s rating: 93/100.
Treinspoor 2017
From Swartland Tinta Barocca planted in 1974. A very attractive nose with notes of herbs and flowers plus a certain twiginess before cranberry and mulberry while pure fruit, fresh acidity and grippy tannins on the palate make for a super-sexy drop. Alcohol: 13%.
Editor’s rating: 93/100.
Soldaat 2017
From Piekenierskloof Grenache. An absolutely thrilling nose of cherry, pomegranate, lavender, fynbos, earth and spice. The palate is light but so flavourful – really exquisite fruit definition, zippy acidity and super-fine tannins, the finish very, very long. Provides so much pleasure. Alcohol: 13.5%.
Editor’s rating: 96/100.
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Kwispedoor | 16 November 2018
That ‘T Voetpad has a real energy about it – gorgeous wine!
Kevin R | 16 November 2018
Don’t you think wines with that energy are always the ones to keep on improving with age – they’re alive and then some?
Kwispedoor | 16 November 2018
I think it often does, Kevin, if the wine has not been manipulated too much. Balance and length are also key factors. But the whole maturation thing is still fairly much shrouded in mystery. Plenty wines’ development defy reason.