2024 Sadie Family Stellenbosch Mev. Kirsten

This wine comes from the oldest Chenin Blanc vineyard in South Africa, a tiny one-hectare block in Stellenbosch’s Jonkershoek Valley where the vines have been standing since 1905. Eben Sadie has been tending this site since 2006, doing the hard yards to preserve these ancient gnarly trunks while carefully interplanting to keep the legacy alive.

The winemaking here is about staying out of the way. Fermented naturally in old foudres with plenty of solids, it spent a year on fine lees before being bottled unfiltered. The 2024 release is shaping up to be a textbook vintage for this site. It has that signature weight and density - think quince, waxed lemon and a touch of lanolin - but the acidity is fresher and sharper this year. It feels laser-focused and incredibly taut.

This is Eben’s most powerful white wine, and honestly, it’s a beast that needs time to sleep. He suggests giving it a decade to fully unravel, but if you are drinking it young, a long decant is non-negotiable to let those layers breathe.

98 points
"A beautiful expression of an historic parcel."
- Tim Atkin MW (South Africa Special Report 2025)