2023 Sadie Family Pofadder, Swartland

This has gorgeous aromatics, mesmerizing with rhubarb, licorice, redcurrant, citrus-rind, dried-rose and paprika aromas. It’s refined and elegant with medium body and fine-grained, crisp tannins providing bite. More savory characteristics come through on a long and taut finish. Cinsault from Riebeeksrivier in the Swartland, half destemmed and half whole-cluster fermented. Best after 2025.

95 points jamessuckling.com

Old Vine Series. In the 1920s, Cinsault was the most-planted black grape in South Africa. However, as one of the fickler varieties to work with and to vinify, it suffered a fall from grace post-WWII. It’s only very recently that (with growers such as Eben Sadie and Chris Alheit leading the charge) the ‘Pinot Noir of Swartland’ has been reborn, and the results are revelatory. This variety is now being planted more and more by some top growers in the south of Franc. Wines like this show you why.

Pofadder is pure Cinsault, cropped from a parcel on the Kasteelberg Mountain (west of Malmesbury) planted in 1973. The soils are slate and decomposed shale. Pofadder is Afrikaans for a puff adder, a type of snake in these parts that claimed the life of a vineyard worker in the 1940s. Sadie is a champion of old-vine Cinsault in the Cape, but even he concedes that this is the vineyard and the wine that need the most care. Controlling yields, bunch/berry sorting and protection from oxidation in the cellar are all vital. Roughly 50% whole bunches are placed in an old wooden, open-top fermenter, with one or two gentle foot-stomps each day to release just enough juice to keep the fermentation ticking over. After a month on skins, the grapes are transferred to a tiny basket press and pressed directly to 28-year-old conical wooden casks for aging. The wine, crafted from yields below 28 hl/ha, is a gloriously textured yet vibrant wine, a delicate ode to variety and region.

Sadie Family Wines is one of South Africa's most acclaimed wineries, known for producing world-class wines that showcase the country's ancient vineyard sites and unique terroir. Founded by visionary winemaker Eben Sadie, the winery has gained international recognition for its meticulous approach to viticulture and winemaking, focusing on expressing the purity and character of South Africa’s old vines. With a strong commitment to sustainable farming and minimal intervention, Sadie Family Wines has set the benchmark for fine wines from the Swartland and beyond.

The winery's portfolio includes sought-after wines such as Columella, a refined and age-worthy red blend, and Palladius, an intricate white blend that brings together various Mediterranean varietals. Other celebrated single-vineyard wines from Sadie Family include Skurfberg, Kokerboom, and Mev. Kirsten, each reflecting the exceptional qualities of their specific sites.

Sadie Family Wines has received numerous prestigious awards and accolades, consistently earning high scores from top wine critics and publications such as Wine Spectator, Decanter, and The Wine Advocate. Eben Sadie has been recognized for his contributions to South African winemaking, including being named Winemaker of the Year and receiving multiple five-star ratings in the Platter's South African Wine Guide. The winery's commitment to excellence has positioned it as a leader in the global fine wine community, with its wines frequently appearing on lists of the world’s best.

These award-winning wines pair beautifully with a variety of dishes. The bold and structured Columella pairs well with grilled red meats and rich stews, while the textural and complex Palladius is a perfect match for roasted poultry, creamy seafood dishes, and Mediterranean cuisine. Each wine offers remarkable aging potential, evolving beautifully over time to reveal even greater complexity and depth.