Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault.
60% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre aangevuld met Cinsault, Tinta Barocca en Carignan. Deze lichte en strakke Columella zal genieten van langere keldering. 750 kistjes gemaakt.
Eben Sadie
'The 2014 Columella is a great follow-up on the 2013: the regional character of the Swartland married a sophisticated feel in the mouth. The 12 months in barrels with about 5 - 8% new wood, followed by 12 months of aging with no new wood in old, large format casks have placed the Columella in an environment where the wine is much more compact - and although it develops more slowly, it has a smooth mouthfeel. From 2010 harvest onwards the Columella wines need more time in their youth, or else decantation for at least 2 hours if opened prior to 5 years of age. The texture and mouthfeel are seamless.'
IN DE PERS
96/100 Neal Martin – The Wine Advocate Issue #230 – robertparker.com (April 2017) - 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. When we look chemically at this wine, 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, a combination of the picking date and the grape variety, 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 that I think was not a characteristic of the wine in its earlier vintages. Drink 2023-2040.
96/100 Tim Atkin MW – SA Special Report 2016 (september 2016)
We are very proud of this wine,' says Eben Sadie, and rightly so. The Syrah component of this iconic wine has decreased every year and now stands at 50%, complemented by Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault and Tinta Barocca. It’s a very nuanced, elegant wine, with subtle bramble and blackberry fruit, stony minerality, nuanced oak and undertones of aromatic fynbos. Drink: 2016-24.
95 Stephen Tanzer - vinous.com (Mei 2017)
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.
94/100 James Molesworth – winespectator.com
This has a beautifully rendered core of pure, delineated raspberry, cherry and red currant fruit that races from start to finish, carried by a light graphite edge and backed by a long, iron- and mesquite-accented finish. Very focused, with mouthwatering drive. Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault. Drink now through 2027. — J.M.
94/100 Christian Eedes - Winemag.co.za (5 september 2016)
Eben Sadie’s signature series red that is Columella grows ever more sophisticated, the recently released 2014 a blend of 60% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre with the remainder being Cinsaut, Tinta Barocca and Carignan, maturation lasting12 months in barrels, about 5 to 8% new, followed by a further 12 months in old, large format casks.
On the nose, plums and red cherries, a hint of spice and subtle vanilla. The Swartland trademark aromatics of fynbos, olive and earth are also there but pushed way back while anything floral is just about absent as if prettiness might contradict gravitas. The palate meanwhile possesses pure fruit, fresh acidity and wonderfully granular tannins. The wine appears not so much tight as ungiving right now but will no doubt gain greater detail with time. Sadie Family WinesWinery of the Year - Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2015 SadieThe Swartland Independent Producers veranderen Zuid Afrika als wijnland. Hun pionier is één van de beste wijnmakers ter wereld (en een ervaren surfer) genaamd Eben Sadie. Hij wordt vereerd als National Treasure en gamechanger. Hij ontgint wonderlijke terroirs, herstelt verwaarloosde bushvines en leidt de avant-garde in doordachte wijnbouw en vinificatie. Zijn Columella en Palladius zijn de eerste Afrikaanse Grands Vins. Daarnaast biedt zijn iconische “Ouwingerdreeks” kleine loten eigenzinnige bewaarwijnen uit specifieke climats. Appreciëer deze boeiende en betekenisvolle wijnen zolang de voorraad strekt.
2017 Winemakers' Winemaker Award, Institute of Masters of Wine
Jane Masters MW, chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine - Eben’s determined search to produce outstanding wines has put Swartland and South Africa on the map. I am delighted that the Master of Wine Winemakers have rewarded his dedication and talent – it’s truly well deserved. | |
