Sadie Family Wines The Old Vine Series 2021

Eben Sadie says of The Old Vine Series wines from the 2021 vintage that he initially was “not too positive” about the line-up on account of how “very quiet” the wines appeared. “I felt the 2020 wines were the strongest release in the history of the Domaine and I feared I was going to have to live in their shadow for the rest of my life”. Having recently tasted the 2021s, Sadie has no reason for concern. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Skerpioen 2021
From a Swartland vineyard co-planted to Chenin Blanc and Palamino. Expressive and arresting aromatics of pear, peach and citrus, hay and herbs plus an overlay of flinty reduction. The palate shows good depth of fruit, a great line of acidity and a pithy finish. Pure, lithe and balanced, this is most satisfying to drink.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

‘T Voetpad 2021
From a Swartland field blend of Chenin Blanc, Palomino, Semillon Blanc and Gris. A tantalising nose with top notes of hay and herbs before peach and naartjie plus a hint of wet wool. The palate is relatively lean but still has plenty of detail – good clarity of fruit, fresh acidity and again a pithy finish. Elegant and understated.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Kokerboom 2021
From Citrusdal Mountain Semillon. Some reduction before lime, green apple and white peach plus fresh herbs and straw on the nose while the palate has great fruit purity, driving acidity and an intensely savoury finish. Super-concentrated and very direct, this is a striking and rather demanding wine.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Skurfberg 2021
From Citrusdal Mountain Chenin Blanc. Exotic aromatics of peach, citrus, melon, potpourri, hay and spice plus some leesy complexity. The palate is full and forceful (alcohol is 14.1%) with a slightly greasy texture. Good fruit concentration, well integrated acidity and a gently savoury finish. A wine that makes a big impression.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Mev. Kirsten 2021
From Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc. Some struck-match reduction before peach and citrus plus hints of hay and herbs on the nose. The palate is very pure and focused – great fruit delineation, electric acidity and a very dry finish. A gorgeous wine is that is so very on point. Montrachet-like in the sense of possessing elegance without being insubstantial.

CE’s rating: 98/100.

Soldaat 2021
From Piekenierskloof Grenache. 60% whole-bunch fermentation. Red currant, fynbos, white pepper and a hint of reduction on the nose while the palate is light and fresh with great clarity of fruit, snappy acidity and fine tannins. Intensely flavoured and wonderfully energetic, the finish arrestingly dry.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Pofadder 2021
From Swartland Cinsault. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. Red cherry, plum, Turkish Delight and some reduction on the nose while the palate is juicy with bright acidity and relatively soft tannins. Generous and already quite accessible.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Treinspoor 2021
From Swartland Tinta Barocca. Red and black berries, potpourri, fynbos and spice on the nose while the palate shows dense fruit, fresh acidity and relatively firm tannins, the finish deeply savoury. Well balanced and characterful, this seems to have more focus than some previous vintages.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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