The Sadie Family 2023 Citrusdal Mountain Old Vine Series Soldaat comes from the remote Piekenierskloof area, which again sees weathered Table Mountain sandstone formations. Winemaking starts in concrete tanks that are partially filled with whole clusters (about 30%) and topped off with destemmed fruit in order to get some juice in the vats and to activate the yeasts. Fermentation lasts about 30 days on the skins, and an old basket press is used. The wine only sees concrete for 12 months. This graceful Grenache is beautifully nuanced with wild berry aromas, blue flower and a chiseled point of rusty nail or iron ore that adds high-toned elegance, bordering on fragility.

By Monica Larner June 2025