2022 Sadie Family Pofadder

The 2022 Sadie Family Pofadder is a pure, terroir-driven expression of Cinsault from the dramatic slopes of Riebeek Mountain in Swartland. Crafted by Eben Sadie, one of South Africa’s most influential winemakers, this red wine captures both the delicacy and depth that old-vine Cinsault can achieve in the right hands. With its fine-boned structure, luminous fruit and understated power, it’s a compelling bottle for serious wine enthusiasts and collectors alike. Pofadder stands out for its remarkable purity of red fruit, silky yet present tannins and a distinct, earthy mineral line derived from its shale-rich soils. It offers a more serious, ageworthy take on Cinsault than is typically seen in the Cape, while remaining wonderfully drinkable in its youth. As part of Eben Sadie’s pioneering work in Swartland—where he helped uncover and revive old vineyards and shape the reputation of the region—Pofadder has become a benchmark for high-quality South African Cinsault.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Pofadder shows a bright, translucent ruby to pale garnet hue, with a limpid clarity that immediately suggests finesse rather than power. Swirling the wine reveals delicate, fine-grained legs that hint at concentration without heaviness. The nose is perfumed and precise: lifted aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry and pomegranate are intertwined with soft, oriental spice notes—think star anise, clove and a whisper of cumin—alongside dried rose petals and a subtle herbal edge. Underneath the pretty fruit lies a gentle earthiness and a stony, almost graphite-like minerality that speaks clearly of its shale-driven origin. On the palate, this is an exceptionally pure and linear style of Cinsault. The attack is fresh and supple, with vivid red fruits—cranberry, cherry and red currant—leading into deeper, more savoury layers of dried herbs, tea leaf, subtle smoke and warm spices. The tannins in 2022 are notably smooth and finely textured, giving the wine a silken, almost Burgundian feel while still providing grip and structure. Acidity is softer and more rounded than in some prior vintages, but it remains sufficient to keep the wine energetic and focused, with a long, tapering finish marked by mineral and earthy nuances. While already approachable with decanting, the 2022 Pofadder is built to evolve. Over the next 3–5 years, the bright primary fruit will gradually meld with the more savoury, earthy tones; over 10–20 years, expect increased complexity, with dried flower, leather, truffle and forest-floor notes emerging. Properly cellared, this vintage is anticipated to drink beautifully through 2042 and beyond.

Production
The 2022 Pofadder is sourced from a single Cinsault vineyard on the slopes of Riebeek Mountain in Swartland, where the soils are notably rich in shale. This rocky, well-drained terroir naturally limits vigour and yield, concentrating flavour in the grapes and imparting a distinctive mineral backbone to the wine. The region’s warm, dry climate, moderated by cooling breezes, allows for full phenolic ripeness while preserving aromatic purity. Harvest is done by hand, with a rigorous selection process both in the vineyard and on arrival at the cellar to remove any under- or overripe berries. The whole bunches are fermented in an open-top wooden vat, encouraging gentle extraction and preserving the aromatic delicacy of Cinsault. Punchdowns are carried out by hand twice daily to carefully manage tannin and colour. After around one month on the skins, the wine is pressed using a traditional basket press, which further respects the fine structure of the fruit. The wine then ages in old oak barrels for about a year, ensuring subtle oxygenation and textural refinement without overt oak flavour, before being bottled with minimal intervention to showcase the vineyard’s character.

Food & Serving
Pofadder’s elegant texture, fine tannins and bright red-fruited profile make it a highly versatile partner at the table. It shines with delicately spiced dishes and savoury, mid-weight cuisine: think roast chicken with herbs, chargrilled quail, duck breast with cherries, or slow-cooked pork shoulder. It also works beautifully with North African and Middle Eastern flavours—lamb with ras el hanout, spiced vegetable tagines, or grilled aubergine with tahini and pomegranate—as well as charcuterie, mushroom-based dishes and aged semi-hard cheeses. Serve at 14–16°C (slightly cooler than typical room temperature) to emphasize its freshness and aromatic lift. In its youth, decanting for 45–60 minutes is strongly recommended to allow the wine to open and for the subtle earthy and spicy layers to emerge. As the wine ages and develops secondary complexity, a gentle 30-minute decant to remove any sediment and awaken the aromatics will be sufficient.

Producer
Sadie Family Wines was founded by Eben Sadie, widely regarded as one of the key pioneers of modern South African wine. Starting in the early 2000s, he sought out neglected old vineyards in Swartland, recognizing their potential to produce world-class wines from dry-farmed, low-yielding bush vines. His flagship blends Columella (red) and Palladius (white) played a central role in transforming international perceptions of Swartland—from a warm, bulk-wine area into one of the most exciting fine-wine regions in the Southern Hemisphere. By focusing on site expression, traditional farming, and minimal-intervention winemaking, Sadie Family Wines has become a reference point for terroir-driven South African wines. Pofadder, as part of the Old Vine Series, highlights the beauty and seriousness that Cinsault can achieve when treated with the same respect as more celebrated varieties. The estate’s wines are now sought after worldwide, frequently earning top scores and critical acclaim, and they continue to shape the conversation about quality and authenticity in Cape wine.