The Sadie Family Citrusdal Mountain Old Vine Series Soldaat 2023

The Sadie Family Citrusdal Mountain Old Vine Series Soldaat 2023 is a hauntingly elegant red from the remote Piekenierskloof plateau in South Africa’s Western Cape. Crafted from old-vine Grenache rooted in weathered Table Mountain sandstone, it captures a rare combination of delicacy, purity, and tension. Part of Eben Sadie’s revered Old Vine Series, Soldaat has become a benchmark for high-altitude, Mediterranean-style Grenache in the New World.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Soldaat 2023 shows a luminous, translucent ruby hue with a slight garnet rim, more akin to fine, cool-climate Grenache than a typical warm-climate South African red. The nose is beautifully nuanced: wild red berries, cranberry, and pomegranate mingle with blue flowers, dried rose petals, and a distinct mineral edge reminiscent of rusted iron or iron ore, adding a lifted, almost ethereal complexity. On the palate, this is a finely etched and graceful expression of Grenache—medium-bodied, with silky yet precise tannins and a vibrant, mouthwatering acidity. Red cherry, wild strawberry, and red currant are layered with subtle herbal notes, hints of dried thyme, and a ferrous, stony spine that gives shape and tension. The finish is long, delicate, and savory, with that “rusty nail” minerality lingering alongside floral and berry tones. While already approachable in its youth, the 2023 has the structure and balance to evolve gracefully over 6–10 years, gaining additional complexity and softness with time in bottle.

Production
The fruit for Soldaat comes from the isolated Piekenierskloof area in the Citrusdal Mountain zone, where old Grenache vines grow high on exposed slopes of decomposed Table Mountain sandstone. This poor, well-drained, sandy soil and the elevated, windswept site naturally limit yields, concentrating flavor while preserving freshness. Grapes are picked by hand at optimal ripeness to retain brightness and aromatic lift. In the cellar, fermentation starts in concrete tanks, with about 30% whole clusters placed at the bottom and topped with destemmed berries to gently release juice and activate the native yeasts. The wine ferments on the skins for roughly 30 days, followed by pressing in an old basket press—an approach that ensures a soft extraction of tannin and texture. Maturation takes place exclusively in concrete for 12 months, with no new oak influence, allowing the purity of fruit, vineyard character, and mineral profile to shine through unmasked.

Food & Serving
Soldaat 2023 is a wonderfully versatile food wine, best matched with dishes that complement its aromatic delicacy and fine structure rather than overwhelm it. Think roast chicken with herbs, grilled lamb chops, game birds, charcuterie, and Mediterranean-style fare such as ratatouille, roasted root vegetables, or tomato-based dishes with olive and rosemary. It also works beautifully with earthy, subtly spiced cuisine—mild North African tagines, lentil dishes, or mushroom pastas. Serve at a cool cellar temperature of around 14–16°C (57–61°F) to emphasize freshness and floral lift. A gentle decant of 30–45 minutes is recommended in its youth to allow the aromatics and mineral notes to fully emerge.

Producer
The Sadie Family Wines, founded by visionary winemaker Eben Sadie, is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most influential and quality-driven estates. Based in the Swartland but working across select historic sites in the Western Cape, the estate has been instrumental in rediscovering and reviving old vineyards, particularly through its acclaimed Old Vine Series. Soldaat, sourced from high-altitude Grenache in Citrusdal Mountain, is a cornerstone of this collection and has helped redefine what South African Grenache can be—elegant, ageworthy, and terroir-driven. The Sadie Family’s commitment to low yields, sensitive farming, minimal intervention, and site expression has earned them international recognition and a place among the top producers in the Southern Hemisphere.