The Sadie Family Skerpioen 2018 is a remarkable and distinctive white wine from The Sadie Family Wines, a cult South African estate in Swartland led by legendary vigneron Eben Sadie. Sadie is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most influential producers, farming dry-grown, old vines organically or biodynamically across numerous sites and embracing minimal intervention, wild yeast fermentation and low sulphur additions to showcase pure terroir. Skerpioen comes from a rare unirrigated 2.4 ha vineyard planted to old Chenin Blanc and Palomino vines just 2 km from the Atlantic coast, on a combination of sandy and bright chalky limestone soils that give intense concentration, freshness and a saline, mineral character. The fruit is co-harvested and co-pressed, then naturally fermented together in old wooden casks and aged on lees for about a year before bottling with minimal sulphur, resulting in a wine that’s complex, tightly structured and unmistakably site-driven. In the glass the 2018 vintage typically shows pale golden colour with aromas of citrus blossom, lemon rind, white florals and subtle honeyed notes, framed by a bracing saline minerality and brisk acidity. On the palate it’s medium-bodied yet concentrated, with flavours of grapefruit, lemon curd, anise and chalky stone complemented by a long, crisp, mineral finish that evokes ocean breezes and classic Old World tension. This wine pairs beautifully with fresh oysters, shellfish, ceviche or grilled white fish, as well as lighter poultry or creamy goat cheeses, and its vibrant acidity and saline drive also make it brilliant with Asian-inspired seafood dishes. Skerpioen is both immediate and age worthy, with the 2018 showing wonderful balance between fruit intensity and structural grip that can continue to evolve with careful cellaring. Why we love this wine? This wine bridges old world elegance and new world energy. An iconic winery and wine that should be in every cellar! .
