2014 The Sadie Family Columella Red Blend Swartland

Winemaker Notes: The grapes were hand sorted by each individual berry for the entire production into small "strawberry' cases. Fermentation of about three weeks at a temperature of 24C and then a maceration post fermentation of another three weeks. Pressing takes place in an oldbasket press and the wine is transferred directly to the barrel for malolactic fermentation. French oak barrels, Bordeaux Traditional selection (10% new). Tight grain. The ageing takes place for 12 months on the lees and then we rack and an additional year of ageing takes place in big oval casks (foudre) on the fine lees. Totaltime spent is two years prior to bottling.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Robert Parker - "The 2014 Columella comes in a 13.65% alcohol, the lowest since 2000 according to Eben Sadie ‘I am not looking for a wine that necessarily goes BOOM when it's first shown...I want a wine to age. There is no new oak now used during the élevage. It is much more age-worthy than what we were making in 2010: there is a lot more CO2, the tannins are around 30% less ripe, which makes them more oxygen stable.’ It has a brooding bouquet with brambly black fruit, briary, wild heather and cold stoney aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red and black fruit, very well balanced with crisp but firm tannins. The fruit feels blacker than previous vintages, a little more salinity towards the finish that conveys a subtle marine influence. It is a more introspective take on Columella, but this lends it an intellectual rather than hedonistic bent"


Antonio Galloni - "Medium ruby-red. Deep aromas of blackberry, olive tapenade, botanical herbs, lavender, spices, licorice and savory minerality. Plush but firm on the palate, displaying terrific energy and shape to the flavors of dark berries, black pepper, wild herbs and spices. With its wonderfully even, fine-grained tannins and outstanding saline persistence, this savory wine is already compulsively drinkable. Really stains the palate with purple fruits, spices and red flowers. I find this much easier to understand than the 2013 was two years ago but its distinct firmness suggests that it will evolve slowly. Really stands out for its energy and lift--and for its almost Pinot-like weight."