Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art, Decorative Arts, Jewellery and Wine
Online-Only Auction, 15 - 22 February 2021
Wine Rhône Theme
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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
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘Grown on the red slate soils of Riebeek Kasteel, this pale, elegant, nuanced Cinsault was fermented with 100% whole bunches and has the clove and pepper spice notes to prove it. The youngster of the old vine series (the vineyard is only 48 years old), it’s floral, scented and beautifully balanced. Drink: 2016-21.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2016, 95/100
‘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. Drink 2018 - 2030.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Apr 2017)
‘(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. Drink 2018-2024 ’ – Stephan Tanzer, Vinous, 92/100 (May 2017)
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