Sadie Family Wines The Old Vine Series new releases

As is now well documented, heatwaves made the 2022 vintage challenging in Swartland and Olifants River, Eben Sadie saying that the resulting wines in the Old Vine Series (Ouwingerdreeks) are fruit forward and open, the tannins on the red wines softer and rounder than usual. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Skerpioen 2022
Price: R495
From a Swartland vineyard co-planted to Chenin Blanc and Palamino. Matured for 12 months in acacia and oak foudres. Top notes of hay and potpourri before pear and peach. Dense fruit matched by a good line of acidity, the finish pithy. Direct and surprisingly forceful – alcohol is 13.4%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

‘T Voetpad 2022
Not generally available.
From a Swartland field blend of Chenin Blanc, Palomino, Semillon Blanc and Gris. Matured for 12 months in acacia and oak foudres. Haunting aromatics of pear, peach, citrus, flowers, hay and earth. The palate has lovely fruit purity but equally is not short of weight and texture, the finish possessing a slight but not unpleasant bitterness. Great focus and drive. Alc: 13.34%.

CE’s rating: 98/100.

Kokerboom 2022
Price: R495
From Citrusdal Mountain Semillon. Matured for 12 months in foudre. Fragrant aromatics of lime, blossom and fresh herbs. Great clarity of fruit, zippy acidity and a dry finish – lean and direct with great length. Alc: 12.8%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Skurfberg 2022
Price: R495
From Citrusdal Mountain Chenin Blanc. Matured for 12 months in big-format oak casks. Citrus and peach plus hints of potpourri and hay on the nose. The palate is dense with punchy acidity and a savoury finish. Alcohol is lower than usual at 13.08% and the wine currently comes across as a little incomplete and lacking in detail – time in bottle will be revealing.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Rotsbank 2022
Price: R495
NEW. From Swartland Chenin Blanc – a Paardeberg vineyard approximately 40 years old. Matured for 12 months in foudre. A leesy note before citrus and peach. Rich, broad and pleasantly smooth textured – well integrated acidity with a gently savoury finish. Alc: 13.01%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Mev. Kirsten 2022
Price: R1 095
From Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc. Matured for 12 months in foudre and amphorae. Exotics aromatics of peach, apricot, orange, herbs and spice. Rich and round on the palate but also possessing no shortage of freshness, the finish long and dry. Lots of detail, well balanced and just immensely satisfying. Alc: 13.6%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Soldaat 2022
Price: R495
From Piekenierskloof Grenache. 60% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 12 months in concrete tanks. Pretty aromatics of red and black cherry, pomegranate, fynbos and white pepper. Lovely clarity of fruit, punchy acidity and powdery tannins – taut and poised. Alc: 13.18%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Pofadder 2022
Price: R495
From Swartland Cinsault. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 12 months in foudre. Red cherry, plum, earth and some reduction on the nose while the palate has good fruit density offset by snappy acidity, the tannins fine and smooth. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Treinspoor 2022
Price: R495

From Swartland Tinta Barocca. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 12 months in foudre. The nose shows red and black berries, fynbos, earth and spice while the palate is relatively full and flavourful (alc: 13.25%) with fresh acidity and nicely grippy tannins, the finish savoury. Rustic in the best sense.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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