Winemaker Notes
The 2023 Pofadder presents highly complex aromas and showcases one of the most stylish presentations of Cinsault observed to date. The wine's overall balance and depth are simply sublime. Its complex fruit aromas and earthy aspects carry through to the mouthfeel, offering a more mature style of Cinsault. The exceptional balance and crisp acidity contribute to a long, persisting aftertaste.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 Pofadder, 100% Cinsault planted in schist, has a floral bouquet: white flowers, rose petals, bright wild strawberry and cranberry, with a little more mineralité than the Soldaat. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red fruit. It’s perhaps the most tensile of any Pofadder I’ve tasted, culminating in a linear finish with life-affirming frisson. There is an effortless brilliance about this Pofadder—even better than last year's offering.
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James Suckling
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.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Sadie Family's 2023 Swartland Pofadder brings new perspective onto this grape. Cinsault can be "pretty," says Eben Sadie. However, this wine shows a greater sense of volume and heft. In the 1920s, this was a widely planted variety in South Africa, but it began to slip away with the rise of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. "It's like your brother in jail," says Eben Sadie. "You love it, but you can't talk about it." Today, Cinsault is a protagonist of the South African New Wave thanks to dedicated producers like Eben Sadie.
A charmer in the Southern Rhône Valley, Cinsault thrives in any hot and windy climate, and finds success in many other countries. It is a parent grape alongside Pinot Noir, of South Africa’s acclaimed red grape, Pinotage. Somm Secret—Given its relatively long history in California, Cinsualt is often “hidden” in the Zinfandel blends of Sonoma and Contra Costa Counties. Historically planted alongside Zinfandel (with Petite Sirah and Mourvedre) in the same vineyard, Cinsault is now an essential part of many “field blends.”
Literally meaning "the black land," Swartland takes its name from the endangered, indigenous "renosterbos" (translating to rhino bush), which used to be plentiful enough to turn the entire landscape a dark color certain during times of year. The district, attracting some of the most adventurous and least interventionist winemakers, excels in robust and full-bodied reds as well as quality fortified wines.