Sadie Family Citrusdal Mountain Soldaat 2023

Sadie Family Citrusdal Mountain Soldaat is a high-altitude Cape Grenache built on perfume and freshness.

Piekenierskloof, a ward reached by climbing north out of the Swartland towards Citrusdal, takes its name from the pikemen who used the pass as a lookout. Eben Sadie farms 55-year-old ungrafted vines here on decomposed granite, east-facing, unirrigated, at around 780 metres. Everything happens in concrete, from a 60 per cent whole-bunch ferment through to maturation, which keeps the aromatics intact. The 2023 came in at 13.2 per cent alcohol from 22 hectolitres per hectare, and it has the precision people now associate with the Gredos Garnachas, though the fruit profile is its own.

Redcurrant, orange peel, crushed pepper and a touch of fynbos, carried on light tannin and bright acidity. Twenty minutes in the fridge does it no harm. Serve with duck breast, pork and fennel sausages, or a tomato and olive tart.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.