Cult winemaker Eben Sadie is a firm believer that Grenache, not Syrah, is currently the most important Rhône variety rooted in South African soil; this is partly due to the wealth of old-vine Grenache that proliferates in the hot interior areas. One such dryland ungrafted bushvine site makes the Soldaat, a play between vivid red fruit (strawberry, cherry, pomegranate) and an earthy tension that calls up its remote, rocky origins. Sadie employs whole-cluster, minimal winemaking – as with all his reds – preferring to make wines in the more traditional manner. Alongside that bright fruit, the tannins have some grip on them and will soften with time. Quite linear in its youth, this will only gain in complexity with time in the bottle.