The Sadie Family - 'Pofadder' Cinsault 2015

The Sadie Family Pofadder is a barrel-aged red wine made with the Cinsault variety by The Sadie Family in the Swartland denomination of origin (South Africa).

In 1999, winemaker Eben Sadie founded The Sadie Family in the Swartland wine region. Under a philosophy of minimal intervention, this promising young South African winemaker is producing excellent wines where terroir and grapes are the undisputed protagonists. 

The Sadie Family Pofadder comes from Cinsault vines planted more than 45 years ago on the Kasteelberg mountain. This plot has slate and decomposed sandstone soil. Organic farming is used and the yield is limited to 30 hl / ha. This involves the most meticulous work because it is one of the most challenging varieties to cultivate and vinify.

Once harvested by hand, The Sadie Family Pofadder clusters are placed whole in an open wooden barrel with one or two gentle treads each day to release enough juice for fermentation. After spending one month on skins, it is pressed and transferred to old wooden barrels to age for 12 months. It is bottled without fining or filtration.

The name of this wine, The Sadie Family Pofadder comes from the name of a snake from the Cape area (Pofadder) who claimed the life of a vineyard worker in the 1940s. A limited production wine where the Cinsault variety, the ‘pinot noir of Swartland’ is showcased in all its splendour.

94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 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)  (4/2017)