2022 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....
Bursting with a bright, fresh nose with crunchy red fruit aromas, the 2022 Old Vine Series Soldaat displays impeccable balance and crystalline purity from a challenging vintage. Medium-bodied and with lively acidity and delicate mineral tension, the Grenache bursts with bright red fruit flavors, even though it spent less time on the skins and clocks in with some of the lowest alcohol for the bottling. Only 6,800 bottles were filled with 50% whole-cluster Grenache. Bravo, I want more! Drink 2024 - 2037.
94+ points
Anthony Mueller - Wine Advocate (Dec 30, 2023)

The 2022 Soldaat is Eben Sadies' Grenache from the Citrusdal Mountains, 50% whole clusters with 20 to 28 days on the skins, raised in concrete. It has a captivating bouquet, very floral with pressed rose petals, kirsch, pomegranate and cranberry. The palate has a touch of sour cherry on the entry, very tensile and linear. Yet, there is also disarming purity and cohesion on the finish, very peppery on the sustained aftertaste. Wonderful. Drink 2024-2042.
93 points
Neal Martin - Vinous