Sadie Family Wines Tasting

1. July 2008 by Sebastien Gavillet.

 In April, I met with Eben Sadie, winemaker for the Sadie Family at a presentation he was giving in Las Vegas at Aquanox.

Eben was presenting his new releases, from South Africa and Spain.

For those whom are not familiar with the Eben Sadie, he grows and makes most of his wine naturally. Self sustained viticulture (no watering), uses mules to plow, hand picks all the grapes and does not use sulfates to make the wine. Eben believes that the most important component in winemaking is the grape itself. The rest is secondary.

Now let’s get to the wine:

Sequillo 2005 South African Red Wine from Swartland region made of a blend of Syrah (68%), Mourvedre (26%), and Grenache (6%).

Bright, deep ruby color, resembles a Rhone wine from the Vaqueras region, with aromas of cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry, prune, thyme, leather and cedar. Some minerality with acidity on the plus side.

Elegant and surprisingly smooth finish for a wine which I expected to be much more tannic.

Columella 2005, South African Red Wine from Swartland region made of a blend of Syrah (80%), Mourvedre (20%). All grapes are berry selected!

Dark ruby/purple color, with aromas of blackcurrant, morello cherry, prune, cedar or wood box cigar, tobacco, leather, and a herbal note maybe eucalyptus. Some minerality, medium acidity, tannins on the plus side. This wine should age beautifully. Oh I forgot to mention that this is the only South African wine to ever get 95 points on WS (Wine Spectator).

Terroir Al Limit, 2005, Spanish red wine, Priorat region, my favorite of the Spanish selection. A blend of Carrigan and Grenache varietals.

With aromas of young red fruits (raspberry, redcurrant), Mon Cheri (liquor infused cherry covered with chocolate), dark chocolate, prune, smoke with a hint of woody spice.
Good balance, well structured wine.

Next blog will be about Domaine Dujac and Jeremy Dujac’s visit to Deluca Wine & Liquor.

Cheers!

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