The Sadie Family - 'Pofadder' Cinsault 2015

The Sadie Family - 'Pofadder' Cinsault 2015

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Description

The Sadie Family Pofadder is an ecological, barrel-aged red wine made with the Cinsault variety by The Sadie Family in the Swartland denomination of origin, in Coastal Region (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. At the same time, Sadie is using her oenological knowledge in other projects like Sequillo Cellars in South Africa and Terroir al Límit in Priorat (Spain).

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 refining or filtering.

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.

 

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.