South Africa

Eben Sadie started his winemaking career working for Charles Back’s Spice Route-labelled wines before breaking out on his own in 1999. He has acquired a reputation as the most innovative and inspired winemaker in South Africa with his goal to produce an expression of a region or specific site. 

The Old Vine Series (Die Ouwingerdreeks) is the fruition of a project very close to Eben’s heart. These highly sought-after wines are produced in very limited volumes and offer an incredible vinous insight into South Africa’s grape growing and winemaking history. 

Each case contains:
One bottle of each of below:
2019 Columella, The Sadie Family Wines, Swartland, South Africa
In Eben’s words, “The 2019 Columella is the 20th bottling of what can only be described as a discovery… The 2019 can easily rival the 2015 in terms of breaking new ground. We have captured dimensions with the wine we have not seen to date.”
“It's entirely appropriate that Columella should achieve a 100-point score in its 20th vintage, having completed two decades of trail-blazing brilliance. Based on Syrah with 55% Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Tinta Barocca, it's a seamless Rhône-meets the-Douro cuvée with violet, thyme and lavender aromas, subtle oak and peppery whole bunch spices, cassis, blackberry and cranberry flavours, thrilling acidity, minerality and haunting palate length. A truly great wine at the peak of its considerable powers. 2023-35.”
100/100. Tim Atkin MW

2020 Pofadder (Cinsault), The Sadie Family Wines, Swartland, South Africa
“Like Soldaat, Pofadder was fermented with fewer whole bunches in 2020, giving the wine more fruit purity and focus. Beautifully framed and complete, it's an old-vine Cinsault that combines focus with depth. Black cherry, raspberry and sweet spice notes play out across the palate with a lovely stony undertone. 2022-30.”
96/100. Tim Atkin MW

Two bottles of each of below:
2020 Treinspoor (Tinta Barocca), The Sadie Family Wines, Swartland, South Africa
Eben has worked for ten years with these old bush vines of Tinta Barocca planted in 1974. He highlights that, “…it has most probably been the greatest red variety planted in the Swartland... It just transports terroir and the typicality of the site much more successfully than most other red varietals.”
"We're doing an enormous amount of work in the vineyard to recuperate it," says Eben Sadie of his beloved Tinta Barocca, "and trying to extract less in the winery." Showing its classic grip and tannins, this has damson, liquorice and tar-like flavours and aromas, appealingly rustic tannins and the structure to age. Nebbiolo meets Syrah. 2023-32.”
96/100. Tim Atkin MW

2020  Soldaat (Grenache Noir), The Sadie Family Wines, Piekenierskloof, South Africa
“Soldaat went through a slight shift in style in 2020, with the whole bunch percentage reduced to 65%, proving that less is more. Wonderfully fresh, poised and graceful, this is a world class Grenache, with Pinot Noir-like delicacy, pomegranate and raspberry flavours and no wood whatsoever. 2022-30.”
97/100. Tim Atkin MW

This medium to full bodied wine has aromas of bergamot, tobacco and dark fruits. The palate is structured, with firm, grainy tannins, spices and herbs, and fresh dark fruits. The finish is dry, layered and long. Best served at 16-18°C, this wine will greatly benefit from decanting if drunk within the first 3 to 5 years after bottling and will reward if cellared properly over the next few decades.

{***}{region}Western Cape{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] James Suckling:: 94/100
   [] Wine Advocate:: 92/100
   [] Neal Martin:: 92/100{ratings}{***}

This medium to full bodied wine has aromas of bergamot, tobacco and dark fruits. The palate is structured, with firm, grainy tannins, spices and herbs, and fresh dark fruits. The finish is dry, layered and long. Best served at 16-18°C, this wine will greatly benefit from decanting if drunk within the first 3 to 5 years after bottling and will reward if cellared properly over the next few decades.

{***}{region}Western Cape{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{ratings}
  [] 4.5/5 Stars Platter
  [] Tim Atkin:: 94/100{ratings}
{***}

This is the most structured Syrah in their Single Terroir range. On the nose there are notes of black pepper, black fruit and spices. The palate is full-bodied with a meaty, savoury character, plenty silky tannins giving structure and a balancing natural acidity. The finish is fresh, long and supple. Best served at 16 to 18 °C, this wine will greatly benefit from decanting when drunk within the first 3 to 5 years after bottling.

{***}{region}Swartland{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{ratings}
[] Neal Martin:: 92/100 
[] Wine Spectator:: 92/100
[] Tim Atkin:: 95/100{ratings}{***}

This violet-perfumed Syrah is the most elegant of our single-terroir Syrahs. The palate is medium to full bodied and delicately spicy, with a silky texture balanced by a fresh, natural acidity. There are notes of black pepper, violets and lilies, red berries and herbs. Best served at 16 to 18 °C, this wine will greatly benefit from decanting if drunk within the first 3 to 5 years after bottling.

{***}
{region}Swartland{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] 4.5/5 Stars Platter
  [] Wine Spectator:: 92/100{ratings}{***}

This 2017 Columella is the first of ‘the drought years’ to be bottled and this very wine stands as evidence of the great stability to be achieved in a region with multiple varieties and vineyards planted in diverse sites. It shows that the greatest and most stable quality is to be achieved by a selection of vineyards rather than just one. The expression of a singular site has its place, but there is simply no better strategy than the combination of a bigger variety of terroirs to build up the most stable representation of our region. This wine is the result of 12 months ageing in barrels (8% new) and thereafter an additional 12 months in old, big oval casks. This 2017 vintage has incredible tension and density and is very much ‘locked in’. The firmness of the wine suggests that it is a great keeper. It does exhibit amazing herbal, spicy and perfumed aromas and there is more than enough fruit – but it is a highly-strung wine that needs time. The tannins are fine, powdery and almost silky with a slightly lower acidity and more expanded palate than the 2014 and 2016. The wine is super-tight and will require at least 2 hours of decantation if opened prior to 5 years of age in the bottle. 

Review 27th April 2020 by Eben Sadie & Paul Jordaan:
Perplexing, in that there is almost no point of entry on the wine from an aromatic or taste aspect and the wine is still holding its cards to the chest. It does have some of the earthy aspects that were found in the early 2006 vintage. This wine is incredibly dry and restrained at this point but shouts of potential into the future. It will possibly develop into the same incredible complexities as was the case in the 2002 & 2004 vintage, but it needs the next 20 years to reveal itself.

{***}
{region}Swartland{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{***}

“Space prevents me from listing all of them, but this remarkable Swartland white is made from 11 different varieties, including Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Verdelho, Palomino, Marsanne and Roussanne, spread across 17 different sites. Peach, pear and lime flavours are beautifully melded on this more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts white, with gentle oak spice and a thread of acidity that runs through the wine like a cool underground stream. 2022-29.” 97/100 Tim Atkin MW

{region}Swartland{region} {color}White{color} {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text} {vintage}2018{vintage} {***}

“The percentage of Syrah decreases every year - it was once 80% and is now closer to 45% - allowing Eben Sadie to play with other Mediterranean grapes, namely Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Tinta Barocca. Remarkably well balanced and refined given the heat and dryness of the vintage, this is a scented, floral, nuanced red with red cherry and mulberry fruit, fine tannins and a lift of stony minerality. One of the best ever Columellas. 2023-32.” 98/100 Tim Atkin MW

{***}
{region}Swartland{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{***}

This delicious wine comes from vines planted on selected old blocks in the beautiful Tierhoek estate, situated high on Piekenierskloof Mountain. The oldest parcel is 42 years of age; such vine maturity draws a beautiful and focused expression of terroir into the wine. This is a gloriously fresh and pure style of Chenin Blanc, with notes of melon and pineapple supported by a luscious character and refreshed by a wonderful, stony minerality.

{***}
{region}South Africa{region}
{color}Red{color}                {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}{***}

It's entirely appropriate that Columella should achieve a 100-point score in its 20th vintage, having completed two decades of trail-blazing brilliance. Based on Syrah with 55% Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Tinta Barocca, it's a seamless Rhône-meets the-Douro cuvée with violet, thyme and lavender aromas, subtle oak and peppery whole bunch spices, cassis, blackberry and cranberry flavours, thrilling acidity, minerality and haunting palate length. A truly great wine at the peak of its considerable powers. 2023-35.” 100/100 Tim Atkin MW

{***}
{region}Swartland{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{***}

“Seventeen grapes from 11 sites make up the blend of this celebrated Swartland white, created to combine "two worlds in one - weight and tension", according to Eben Sadie. Perfumed and exotic, it's daringly unoaked, with peach, apricot, green apple and lime flavours, aromatic spices, layers of complexity and a racy, balanced finish. 2023-30.” 96/100. Tim Atkin MW

” 97/100 Tim Atkin MW

{region}Swartland{region} {color}White{color} {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} 

{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text} {vintage}2019{vintage} {***}

“Like Soldaat, Pofadder was fermented with fewer whole bunches in 2020, giving the wine more fruit purity and focus. Beautifully framed and complete, it's an old-vine Cinsault that combines focus with depth. Black cherry, raspberry and sweet spice notes play out across the palate with a lovely stony undertone. 2022-30.”
96/100. Tim Atkin MW

{***}
{region}Swartland{region}
{color}Red{color}                            {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] Tim Atkin :: 96/100

{ratings}{***}

“Accessible young, as it tends to be, but also capable of ageing well in bottle, this is a coastal, 50/50 blend of Chenin Blanc and Palomino grown on highly unusual sand and limestone soils. Aromas of citrus and almonds lead into a palate that is engagingly fresh, briny and salty, finishing with a pithy tang. 2022-30.” 96/100. Tim Atkin MW

{***}
{region}Swartland{region}
{color}White{color}                            {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] Tim Atkin MW:: 96/100

{ratings}{***}

Eben has worked for ten years with these old bush vines of Tinta Barocca planted in 1974. He highlights that, “…it has most probably been the greatest red variety planted in the Swartland... It just transports terroir and the typicality of the site much more successfully than most other red varietals.”
"We're doing an enormous amount of work in the vineyard to recuperate it," says Eben Sadie of his beloved Tinta Barocca, "and trying to extract less in the winery." Showing its classic grip and tannins, this has damson, liquorice and tar-like flavours and aromas, appealingly rustic tannins and the structure to age. Nebbiolo meets Syrah. 2023-32.”
96/100. Tim Atkin MW

{***}
{region}Swartland{region}
{color}Red{color}                            {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] Tim Atkin :: 96/100

{ratings}{***}

“Soldaat went through a slight shift in style in 2020, with the whole bunch percentage reduced to 65%, proving that less is more. Wonderfully fresh, poised and graceful, this is a world class Grenache, with Pinot Noir-like delicacy, pomegranate and raspberry flavours and no wood whatsoever. 2022-30.”
97/100. Tim Atkin MW

{***}
{region}Swartland{region}
{color}Red{color}                            {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] Tim Atkin :: 97/100

{ratings}{***}

“Back after a break in 2019 to let this remarkable, historic vineyard recover, 'T Voetpad is a small volume, world-class white blend of Semillon, Chenin Blanc and Palomino that always seems to find its own balletic equilibrium. Wet wool, citrus and lanolin aromas segue into a palate that's salty and fresh, with camomile and jasmine aromas, subtle skin tannins, subtle wood and remarkable persistence. 2022-30." 98/100. Tim Atkin MW

{***}
{region}Swartland{region}
{color}White{color}                            {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] Tim Atkin MW:: 98/100

{ratings}{***}

“A vineyard that gets better and better every year, Mev. Kirsten was planted in 1905 and 1946 and shows the effortless concentration of its terroir. White flower and honeysuckle aromas lead you into a palate of remarkable focus, minerality and depth, with lots of grip, saffron and beeswax notes and a long, chiselled finish. 2023-32.”98/100. Tim Atkin MW

{***}
{region}Swartland{region}
{color}White{color}                            {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] Tim Atkin:: 98/100

{ratings}{***}

“Yields were ridiculously low in 2020, but Henk Laing's field blend of Semillon Blanc and Semillon Gris always seems to cope with what the vintage throws at it. Exotic, perfumed and intense, with nectarine and passion fruit flavours, old vine concentration, subtle tannins and an undertow of acidity. 2023-28.” 96/100. Tim Atkin MW

{***}
{region}Swartland{region}
{color}White{color}                            

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] Tim Atkin:: 96/100{ratings}{***}