The Sadie Family wines are at the forefront of the South African wine revolution. A true visionary, Eben Sadie has identified the very best old vines across the Cape, revived them with natural farming and captured their essence using simple, traditional winemaking. Besides their astonishing character, balance and purity, these profound wines still offer exceptional value for money.

While we will only taste these wines later in July, I have heard reports that the Pofadder is utterly remarkable and heralds a new era for our beloved Cinsaut grape. 2013 was a very small, concentrated vintage and therefore these wines are very limited. Mev Kirsten will not be released and Kokerboom is virtually unavailable due to the low yields.

Taste these at Wine Cellar in Johannesburg on 31 July and in Cape Town on 30 July (R300pp), including the Mev Kirsten and limited Kokerboom.

This is a pre-release offer and delivery will take place in the first week of August. Please respond with your order soonest.

– WA: Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate ratings from 2010 through to 2012 vintages
*** Extremely limited. Allocations based on previous year’s order
– No minimum order

To place your order, please email [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call us on 021 448 4105 (CT) or 011 027 9463 (JHB). View delivery charges

Previous vintage tasting notes

Skerpioen 2012
Seventy-year-old Chenin blended with Palomino from Dwarskerbos and Elands Bay. Pale lemon yellow in colour. The bouquet enchants you with aromas of seaside air: mineral, chalky, salty, crisp. On the palate, the razor-sharp acidity is supported by a full, creamy weight. Utterly captivating and richly textured with energising tension, this wine will develop intriguing complexity with age. Very exciting.

Skurfberg 2012
100% Chenin Blanc planted in the 1950s in the Skurfberg Mountains in the Olifants River region. Treelike vines are aptly named ‘Bôme’. The fresh sweetness of Granny Smith apples with an undertone of hot slate just after the rain. Slightly shy and understated, it comes into its own on the palate, displaying vivid, fresh fruit, crunchy acidity and a subtle almond finish. Enticing and mysterious, I look forward to seeing how it will transform over the years. Ageing potential: 5-15 years.

T’Voetpad 2012
A field-blend on the north-west side of the Piquetberg Mountains. Semillon is the star of the show, blended with Semillion Gris, Palomino, Muscat and Chenin. Subtle nuances of tropical fruit on the nose; peach, pineapple and passion fruit dance in sync with an arresting minerality. The wine swirls on the palate elegantly with delectable creaminess. Textured in body, a ‘thinking’ wine. Something of a performance, quite appropriate to the amphitheatre-like vineyard it comes from. Ageing potential: 5-10 years. Definitely one to keep your eye on.

Kokerboom 2012
Semillion Blanc and Semillon Gris from Trekpoort Kloof in the Olifants River region. The 89-year-old vineyards are in pristine condition. Exuding that characteristic lanolin waxiness of Semillon, livened up by seductive yellow fruits of pear, apricot and yellow apples. On the palate this wine has a richness and viscosity with incredibly smooth tannins, setting it apart from the other white wines of the series. Pure elegance and finesse, this is classy, different and decadent. Ageing potential: 5-15 years.

Pofadder 2012
100% Cinsaut from the western side of the Kasteelberg in the Swartland, made from 48-year-old vines. Showing a full spectrum of red cherry fruit, from zingy to richly ripe with added complexity of spice and game. The Cinsaut is 100% whole-bunch fermented, undergoing carbonic maceration. A month of skin contact ensures a focused tannin structure and provides potential for ageing – up to 15 years. This wine is pure elegance, yet still manages to maintain excellent depth. A fantastic example of how old vines and simple winemaking can produce a light-bodied wine without compromising on complexity.

Soldaat 2012
Grenache Noir from Piekenierskloof planted at 708m in the 1970s. A seductive nose with vibrant cherries, rich meatiness and the subtle savoury-spice of root vegetables. On the palate, freshness and purity of fruit combine harmoniously, with the finely textured tannins providing dynamic tension. This is an honest wine with no frills. Its true excellence will develop over the next decade or so.

Treinspoor 2012
Made from Tinta Barocca grown west of Malmesbury. The vines are approximately 40-years old. Dark, brooding purple in colour, it comes across as shy and restrained at first, but then slowly opens up in the glass with delightful scents reminiscent of Christmas – sweet spices, cinnamon, nutmeg and nuances of smoked ham and cayenne pepper. The nose follows onto the palate with a spicy full body, lively acidity and grippy, yet refined tannins. Rich, inviting and intriguingly different. Possibly the only one of the series to be enjoyed with red meat dishes.

Palladius 2011
An impressive spectrum of Chenin, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris, Palomino and Verdelho. Slightly more subdued compared to the 2010. Taking time and gentle coaxing, purity of fruit is evident on the nose – white peach and plush apricots. Lemon meringue and salty macadamia butter follow, all exquisitely balanced by a chalky mineral zap. Exotic mandarin and ginger spice enter with medium body on the palate, transforming into a nutty, moreish savouriness. Undulating complexity, the Palladius promises a thrilling experience and will only improve with age.

Columella 2011
Mostly Syrah blended with Mourvedre from the Swartland Mountains with a brilliant, deep ruby colour. Intense wild-berry fruits; youngberry, cassis and damson emanate from the glass, accompanied by enthralling earthy, savoury Italian herbs and cracked pepper. Velvety fine tannins add a sophisticated edge. This wine gets even better year after year, providing a whole new sensory experience every time you return to the glass. Put this beauty down to age…