Saga Vineyards new releases
By Christian Eedes, 3 March 2025
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Saga Vineyards – four wines, two labels, and three partners, including star winemaker Reenen Borman (also of Boschkloof). It might otherwise be hard to keep track, but when the wines are this good, you have no choice but to pay attention. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:
Patatsfontein Wit Versnit 2024
Price: R230
Grapes from the same Montagu property that supplies grapes for the Steen. 55% Chenin Blanc, 45% Colombard. Fermented and matured in combination of old oak and concrete. Pretty aromatics of orchard blossom, pear, peach, guava and a hint of hay. The palate is light but not lean with fresh acidity and a dry finish. Clean and poised. Alc: 12.5%.
CE’s rating: 92/100.
Patatsfontein Steen 2024
Price: R475
Grapes from a Montagu vineyard of Chenin Blanc planted in 1984. Matured in 400- and 500-litre barrels, 9% new. With haunting aromatics of pear, peach, citrus, fynbos, and a touch of flinty reduction, this wine captivates from the first sip. The palate delivers vivid fruit expression and mouth-watering acidity, before a long, pithy finish. Supremely elegant, beautifully detailed, and immensely refreshing. Alc: 12.5%.
CE’s rating: 96/100.
Sons of Sugarland Barbera 2024
Price: R230
Grapes from a Breedekloof site. 100% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation in concrete. Red cherry plus hints of flowers and herbs on the nose while the palate is pure and juicy. Not particularly grippy but maybe something slightly earth to the finish. Charming and effortlessly drinable. Alc: 13%.
CE’s rating: 91/100.
Sons of Sugarland Syrah 2024
Price: R475
Grapes from Karibib in the Polkadraai Hills. 100% whole-bunch fermented and matured in concrete. The lower crop in 2024 has resulted in a wine of more raw power than is usual for this bottling. The nose is evocative, with layers of red and black berries, black olive, raw meat, dried rose, dried herbs, and a crack of pepper. The palate, meanwhile, delivers immense fruit concentration, fresh acidity, and grippy tannins, leading to a bone-dry finish. Buckle up – this is a ride. Alc: 13.9%.
CE’s rating: 96/100.
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Gareth | 4 March 2025
Interestingly, the blurb on Saga’s website for Patatsfontein Steen says that the wine is only aged in concrete:
“One pick. Single vineyard wine. Goudini river pebbles and sandstone. 100% whole bunch fermented, with a total skin maceration time of 11 days. Pressed and aged in cement only. No fining.”
Jos | 3 March 2025
They were selling a library case a few months back which included the 2016 & 2018 Syrah and 2014 Chenin and they were all fantastic, especially the Syrah which still contained plenty of primary fruit.
So I have every bit of confidence that these age very well.