2021 Sadie Family Piekenierskloof Soldaat Grenache

Soldaat is 100% Grenache from a parcel of 55-year-old vines in the highland Piekenierskloof region, just shy of the Swartland catchment, going north to Citrusdal. The vineyard got its name from the foot soldiers (piekeniers) who once used this area as a lookout. Hence the name Soldaat (Soldier). Sadie's easterly facing parcel sits around 780 meters--one of the Cape's highest elevations--and the soil is decomposed granite. The vines here are unirrigated, and still on their own rootstock. Eben notes that The Piekenierskloof Pass has firmly positioned itself as the leading location for Cape Grenache, with the area capable of giving vibrant, perfumed wines with lifted red fruit and spice as well as an earthy minerality (reminding us of the elegant, perfumed Garnachas from Gredos and San Martín de Valdeiglesias, in the Madrid highlands). Regardless, this is something very different to the heavy, alcoholic wines that are so often a theme with Grenache. Whole-bunch except for 15% to get the fermentation going, Soldaat is fermented (and raised) entirely in concrete.

Other Reviews....
Now established as the preeminent Grenache in South Africa, Soldaat comes from just eight rows of 48-year-old vines belonging to Bielie and Erasmus van Zyl in Piekenierskloof. Graceful, silky and scented, with subtle 60% whole bunch spices, lots of energy and tension, pomegranate and redcurrant fruit and no wood at all. Drink: 2023-2030.
97 points
Tim Atkin MW - South Africa Report 2022

It has a beguiling, very distinctive red cherry and redcurrant nose, a noticeable reduction (Sadie also mentioned that this Soldaat had been bottled with a lot of carbonic gas). The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, very transparent with a touch of sage and white pepper. Vibrant and poised on the brittle finish, it delivers quite a stony aftertaste. Startling purity here - magnificent.
95 points
Neal Martin - Vinous