Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2003:
‘This just gushes with exotic fruit - raspberry, boysenberry and fig - while staying juicy and vibrant thanks to the tangy mineral spine. Plenty of sweet spice notes also add dimension to the finish, which is rich and youthful.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Aug 2007)

‘Deep colour and a relatively light nose, smelling of blackberries and violets, quite perfumed and almost talcy. Very rounded and voluptuous with the sweetest fruit of all the wines, tamed only by a stern graphite streak and a web of tarragon, fennel and wild herbs. Chewy tannins. Still that mouthwatering signature freshness is there.’ - Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Jun 2011)

2007:
‘Always Shiraz with 20% Mourvèdre, respectfully and traditionally vinified, including berry selection, long cool fermentation and maceration, basket pressed; 2 years in French oak, new component down to only 35% for 2007. Brilliant, sensual, showing gravel-tinged fruit and perfect harmony.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2010, 5*

‘Captivating with a stunning array of loganberry, raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry fruit, all kept racy and invigorating thanks to well-embedded acidity and a bright minerality. Long, velvety and pure, with the iron spine buried deep on the finish. Syrah and Mourvèdre.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Mar 2010)

2010:
'Shiraz-led with mourvédre & grenache. Crammed with luscious berries, 10 tannins provide sleek musculature, but seamed throughout are violets, scrub, graphite, complex notes setting this wine apart.' – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2013, 5*

'Good dark red. Knockout nose combines blueberry, mulberry, smoky raspberry, Asian spices, flinty minerality, coffee, leather and dusty herbs; showed an increasingly pinot-like perfume as it opened in the glass. Wonderfully aromatic in the mouth, with superb energy and lift to the juicy red berry, spice, floral and mineral flavors. Not a hugely fleshy wine but in vibrancy, complexity and inner-mouth perfume it transcends its category. Finishes with firm tannins and a whiplash of flavor. I'd like to taste this wine again in five or six years.' – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 94/100 (2013)

'The 2010 Columella saw just 10% of the crop aged in new large casks. The nose is well-defined and as nonchalant as Eben Sadie himself, gently unravelling blackberry, charcoal, eau-de-vie and allspice scents that are perfectly controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, slightly grainy tannins. It is extremely well-balanced with supremely well-judged acidity. I much prefer this toned-down style of late, allowing the grape varieties and terroir to be articulated without interruption. Gorgeous! Drink 2014-2022' – Neal Martin 93/100, Wine Advocate (2013)