Sadie Family Wines The Old Vine Series 2018

Eben Sadie of Sadie Family Wines relates that as with 2017, the 2018 harvest came in with much lower levels of ripeness and acidity than usual on account of the drought – the reds in The Old Vine Series (“Die Ouwingerdreeks”) seem perhaps inevitably somewhat diminished although the whites are as thrilling as ever, Skurfberg in particular.

Soldaat 2018
From Piekenierskloof Grenache. A subtle and elusive nose – a hint of reduction before pomegranate, dried herbs, spice and earth. The palate is light-bodied and super-fresh with fine, powdery tannins.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

Pofadder 2018
From Swartland Cinsault. Again nothing overt and again a touch of reduction before plum and cherry on the nose. The palate is plump and juicy with lemon-like acidity and soft tannins.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

Treinspoor 2018
From Swartland Tinta Barocca. A more forthcoming nose – top notes of fynbos and flowers before black berries and earth. Good depth of fruit , fresh acidity and nicely grippy tannins.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

Skerpioen 2018
From a Swartland field blend of Chenin Blanc and Palamino. Aromatics of lime and green apple with a herbal note in the background. Lean and linear with super-fresh acidity and a long, pithy finish. An arresting wine with great energy.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

Transcendent.

Skurfberg 2018
From Olifants River Chenin Blanc. Harvest reduced by 70% because of the drought. A compelling nose of pear, peach, citrus, herbs and flowers. The palate shows great purity and focus. Intense but not weighty with layers of flavour and great length. Utterly seamless and truly beautiful.

Editor’s rating: 98/100.

Kokerboom 2018
From Olifants River Semillon. The nose shows lime and green apple with notes of hay and blossom in the background. Lovely fruit expression and nicely coated acidity. Surprisingly rich and round. Delicious!

Editor’s rating: 94/100.

‘T Voetpad 2018
A Swartland field blend. Some struck-match reduction on an initially shy nose although citrus – lemon, naartjie, orange – comes to the fore. The palate is super-concentrated with tangy acidity and some grip to the finish. It’s an impressively forceful and dramatic wine.

Editor’s rating: 96/100.

Mev. Kirsten 2018
From Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc. Again some struck match alongside citrus and peach. The palate is rich and broad, bright acidity lending verve while the finish is long and pithy. An expressive, generous wine.

Editor’s rating: 94/100.

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