Rhône Theme
Timed Online Auction, 13 - 20 February 2023
Rhône Theme
About the SessionThe first sale of the 2023 Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auction calendar is an exciting Rhône valley and Rhône-style offering.
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About this Item
Eben Sadie is South Africa’s most revered winemaker and he arguably kick-started the local fine wine revolution. Over two decades his pursuit for quality in the Swartland has been unparalleled in South Africa and he was voted Winemaker of the Year in 2017 by the International Master of Wine Institute. Eben’s wines were influenced by the Rhône and Spain, with traditional local varieties sourced from pockets of old bush vines and unique terroirs. Long-ageing Columella is often regarded as South Africa’s best red, while Palladius similarly offers an incredible Swartland expression and decades of longevity. The old vine single vineyard series, which was first released in the 2009 vintage, is now firmly the most sought-after release of the year. Mev Kirsten is South Africa’s rarest white wine, produced from a century old Stellenbosch vineyard, while the now legendary Skurfberg received 100 points from Tim Atkin in 2020.
Only 450 cases of the Pofadder was produced, a 100% Cinsault from the Riebeek Mountain. It gets its name from the serpentine shape of the mountain and forms part of Sadie’s Old Vine Series (Ouwingerdreeks), South Africa’s most sought-after wines.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'Pofadder was one of South Africa’s first serious single vineyard Cinsaults and remains in the variety’s top rank. Pale and aromatic, this comes from schist soils, which seem to emphasise the perfume even more. Balanced and refined with red cherry and pomegranate freshness. 2020-26.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 94/100
'Cinsaut from old Riebeek-Kasteel vines; more than any in line-up, 2017 vintage at least, evocative of place rather than fruit, even drier, steelier than 2016 (5 stars, 95 pts) (1.3 g/l sugar versus 1.9 g/l). Nuances of wild vegetation & earth, minimalistic yet reveals something new with each sip.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93 pts)
'The 2017 Pofadder is pure Cinsault fermented in concrete tanks and conical foudres for 12 months. It has a clean, precise bouquet of tart red cherries, black currant leaf and a touch of chai tea. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, crisp acidity, gentle grip and a slightly brittle textured but very penetrating, beautifully defined finish. I agree with Eben that this is one of the most elegant Pofadder I have tasted. - Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100 (Aug 2018)
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