OUR NOTES

94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark The 2015 Old Vine Series Pofadder, the 100% Cinsault from Eben Sadie, come from slate soils that are not decomposed. It has a pure and mineral-driven bouquet, beautifully defined with red cherries and crisp strawberry fruit, a stoniness tucked just underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, tensile and linear, brimming with freshness and energy with raspberry and just a tinge of black cherry on the finish. Superb Cinsault, nuanced and detailed, an intellectual wine that will age with style. (NM) Inner quote mark (4/2017)

92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Outer quote mark (100% whole-bunch fermentation; aged in large 25-year-old foudres): Bright, moderately saturated medium red. Pungent perfume of raspberry, strawberry, sandalwood, wild savory herbs and spices. Juicy, bright, dry and penetrating; doesn't deliver quite the sweetness or depth promised by the nose but this is wonderfully delineated, perfumed and light on its feet, and an utterly distinctive red wine. More refined than the 2014 version, without that wine's rustic hints: this is all red berries, spices and botanical herbs. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins and sneaky length. If this wine was from southern France, I would probably have scored it even higher owing to its precision and cleanliness. Inner quote mark

92 points Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark Starts off light, with silky cherry and blackberry fruit flavors gliding through, picking up shiso leaf, pepper, sage and iron notes along the way. A lovely black tea echo emerges on the sneakily long finish. (JM) Inner quote mark (3/2017)

--------THE PRODUCER--------

The Sadie Family Winery

The Sadie Family winery is headed by Eben Sadie. Eben is considered to be one of the absolute leaders of the new generation of South African winemakers. He is a visionary that is trying to put not just put the region he grows in, Swartland, on the map but also South Africa. He is producing wines that are true expressions of grapes, soils and regions with all of the wines made being highly coveted and extraordinarily good. Eben Sadie founded the winery in 1999 and has been making incredible wines ever since.

--------THE GRAPE--------

Cinsault

Cinsault is a red grape varietal that produces gutsy and bold red wines. It is mostly made into blends with other 'Rhone' grapes such as Syrah, Grenache and Mouvedre. Expect earthy and red fruit flavours.

--------THE REGION--------

Swartland

Traditionally a grain-producing area, in summer the Swartland district is marked by green pockets of vineyards clambering up the foothills of the mountains (Piketberg, Porterville, Riebeek and Perdeberg) and along the banks of the Berg River. In the past, the region was planted mainly to bushvines but trellising is increasingly being adopted due to advances in management strategies and quality considerations.

The Swartland literally translated means ‘the black land’ and the area takes its name from the now endangered indigenous renosterbos (rhino bush) which once turned the landscape a dark colour at certain times of the year. The district was traditionally a source of robust, full-bodied red wines and high quality, fortified wines. The Swartland Independent Producers (SIP) is a coming together of a group of like-minded producers working to express a true sense of place in the wines of the Swartland.

In recent times, some exciting award-winning wines have emerged, both red and white, and the area continues to produce top port-style wines. Increasing percentages of Pinotage, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are being grown here, as well as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. It has five designated wards: Malmesbury, Paardeberg, Paardeberg-South, Riebeekberg and Riebeeksrivier. The district of Swartland borders Piketberg to the north, which is not dissimilar in both geography and climate.

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