Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

'As with complex 10, shiraz-led with mourvédre in 11 (4.5*), offering trademark glossy dark fruit, scrub & violets, a lovely youthful freshness. Sleek & polished, the deep muscle tone promises a long life ahead.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2014, 4.5*

‘The 2011 Columella is more reticent on the nose when compared directly against the 2010: straight-laced and linear with subtle tertiary notes that unfurl with aeration. This seems more masculine than the previous vintage. The palate is vibrant and poised on the entry with fresh crisp tannins, effervescent citrus fresh red and black fruit, a dash of white and black pepper and a beautifully poised finish. Once those aromatics awaken with time, this will be a stunning Columella. Drink 2015-2025. Eben Sadie simply wrote “old rules” in the spec sheet for his Old Vine Series, which sums up his approach perfectly. You never quite know what you will get with the wines – so please bear that in mind. That is what makes them so thrilling, because when they do excel they can represent something that attains true profundity, wines that are willing to offer intellectual as well as sensory pleasure. They are produced in small quantities so they can be difficult to track down, though in my opinion they remain very keenly priced? for now.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Oct 2013)

'One of the finest selections from South Africa today, Sadie's 2011 Columella is structured, complex and masterfully balanced, ready for a beautiful, long life ahead. The bouquet leads with lovely scents of rooibos tea, minty fynbos and African violets that frame the ripe boysenberry, blackberry and plum fruit spine. Layers of lush black fruit and earthy spice dance on the velvety palate, with peppery tannins that hang on to the lingering finish alongside hints of cocoa powder, licorice root and star anise. Drink now–2024.' - Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast, 95/100 (Apr 2016)

‘Bright medium ruby. Knockout perfume of raspberry, cherry, smoke and menthol; this one also reminded me of a Rayas. Lush, suave and dry, showing a compelling savory quality to its raspberry and flinty mineral flavors. Finishes classically dry and backward, even a bit ungiving today, but with palate-staining length. This has all the elements to make a great bottle, but it calls for at least six or seven years of additional cellaring..’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com, 94+/100 (Jan 2015)

‘Rich, ripe and remarkably stylish, this lets layers of plum sauce, steeped blackberry and black currant pâte de fruit unfurl, while notes of ganache, espresso and graphite provide spine and direction on the finish, with a lovely anise echo. Drink now through 2020. 750 cases made.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Jun 2014)