Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Verlho, Roussanne, Sémillon Gris and Palomino.
Eben Sadie
The Palladius 2014 is a transition wine for us, since this was the first vintage for which we used clay amphorae. The wine has truly grown into its own and will move up a notch over the next two years: the 2016 vintage will be aged in clay and concrete in the new aging cellar dedicated to this wine. With Palladius our major goal is to try and get the maximum volume of compact fruit and texture together with the best potential volume of acidity and freshness. Compared to many white wines, the Palladius is more phynolic and textured and best enjoyed with food. We always encourage people to take the wine to picnics... but then it also needs decantation in the first 5 years from bottling, so there has to be a decanter in the picnic basket! This wine might be white in colour, but that is about the only characteristic that prevents the Palladius from being a red.
IN DE PERS
94 Stephen Tanzer - vinous.com (Mei 2017)
(14.5% alcohol; fermented in 725-liter concrete eggs and clay amphoras made from local soil): Medium straw-yellow. Knockout nose combines orange blossom, apricot, beeswax and a yeasty, toasty suggestion of controlled oxidation. Highly concentrated, plush and full in the mouth, communicating a sense of solidity and outstanding energy to its extract-rich flavors of stone and soft citrus fruits, fennel and wild herbs. A wine of outstanding energy and sexy sweetness of fruit, this finishes a bit smoother than some past vintages of Palladius--it's less obviously phenolic--but with terrific rising length. With all the fuss over Eben Sadie's Columella, consistently one of the top red Rhône blends made in the Southern Hemisphere, don't miss his stunning white blend. As delicious as this 2014 is now, it will be fascinating to follow for at least another seven or eight years and I'd love to try it again in ten.
92/100 Neal Martin – The Wine Advocate Issue #230 – robertparker.com (April 2017) - The 2014 Palladius, which was matured in 30% foudres that have been eschewed for subsequent vintages, has a refined bouquet with light petrol-like scents infusing the stone fruit aromas (peach skin and nectarine). The palate is medium-bodied with a slight viscous entry, the acidity very well pitched with a generous, caressing, lightly honeyed finish. Enjoy this over the next 4-5 years. Drink 2017-2030.
95/100 Tim Atkin MW – SA Special Report 2016 (september 2016)
Including Colombard for the first time, Eben Sadie’s influential Mediterranean white blend now runs to ten different varieties. Plush, savoury and showing some skin tannins, it’s leesy and focused with floral peach and apricot fruit and more acidity than some recent vintages. Drink: 2016-20.
96 James Molesworth – winespectator.com - This is packed with white peach, yellow apple and mirabelle plum flavors, while fennel, melon rind and salted butter notes streak underneath. The long finish shows blanched almond and quinine details, imparting weight, with a piercing echo at the very end. Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Verdelho, Roussanne, Marsanne, Sémillon, Palomino and Colombard. Drink now through 2024. From South Africa.
93/100 Christian Eedes - Winemag.co.za (5 september 2016)
Eben Sadie’s signature series multi-variety white blend has always been a studied effort but the 2014 feels particularly so. On the nose, a hint of reduction before lemon, orange and white peach, some leesy complexity and a hint of spice. The palate is rich and slightly oily in texture – plenty of sun-kissed, ripe fruit upfront before a pithy finish. It makes a big impression but arguably lacks some of the finesse of previous vintages. Sadie Family WinesWinery of the Year - Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2015 SadieThe Swartland Independent Producers veranderen Zuid Afrika als wijnland. Hun pionier is één van de beste wijnmakers ter wereld (en een ervaren surfer) genaamd Eben Sadie. Hij wordt vereerd als National Treasure en gamechanger. Hij ontgint wonderlijke terroirs, herstelt verwaarloosde bushvines en leidt de avant-garde in doordachte wijnbouw en vinificatie. Zijn Columella en Palladius zijn de eerste Afrikaanse Grands Vins. Daarnaast biedt zijn iconische “Ouwingerdreeks” kleine loten eigenzinnige bewaarwijnen uit specifieke climats. Appreciëer deze boeiende en betekenisvolle wijnen zolang de voorraad strekt.
2017 Winemakers' Winemaker Award, Institute of Masters of Wine
Jane Masters MW, chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine - Eben’s determined search to produce outstanding wines has put Swartland and South Africa on the map. I am delighted that the Master of Wine Winemakers have rewarded his dedication and talent – it’s truly well deserved. | |
