2022 The Sadie Family 'Columella' Red Blend Swartland

Winemaker Notes: The 2022 Columella vintage presents floral aromas with bright, fresh fruit notes that transition into oriental spice and deep earthy dynamics. Trademark violets and perfumes will further develop over time, contributing to its compact structure. The well-placed acidity and tannin provide a superb overall balance. This vintage is considered classic, with most characteristics being textbook examples. Notably, it has the lowest alcohol content ever achieved for this blend at 13.2%. The wine will benefit from additional aging.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Tim Atkin - South African Red Wine of the Year - " This is the lightest bodied Columella ever, according to Eben Sadie, but he's not lost any concentration or intensity at the lower alcohol level. Sourced from 12 different vineyards, seven of which are on the Paardeberg, this features components from slate, gravel, granite and sandstone soils and is a brilliant vintage of one of the world's greatest reds. Partnering Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault, Tinta Barocca and Pinotage, this is an almost indecently perfumed cuvée with lilac, fynbos and rose petal aromas, plum, red cherry and blackberry fruit, subtle 5% new wood and a focused, grippy, stony finish. Wonderful stuff. 2025-2040."


James Suckling - "Deep, seductive aromas of violets, green tea, coffee beans, oranges, mulberries, peach pits and smoked paprika spring from the glass. It’s seamless, layered and incredibly complex, with medium body and polished, sleek tannins. It has lovely brightness of fruit and a floral sweetness in the mid-palate. Focused at the end. Fantastic. A blend of syrah, mourvedre, grenache, carignan, cinsault and tinta barroca from 12 vineyards in the Swartland. Try after 2026."


Vinous - "The 2022 Columella has the lowest alcohol level ever bottled for this cuvée, at 13.2%. It is a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault and Tinta Barocca. This takes time to open on the nose and is quite introspective at first, gently unfurling scents of potpourri, undergrowth and brambly red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. There’s a real a sense of symmetry and focus here—a much "cooler" Columella than older vintages, with a sapid finish that urges you back for another sip. Eben Sadie said he would finish the rest of the bottle the night after my tasting…I can see why."