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£110.00
- Size: 750ml
- Vintage: 2021
- ABV: 14%
- Origin: Swartland/South Africa
- Grapes: Syrah/Mourvèdre/Grenache/Carignan/Cinsaut/Tinta Barocca
Description
Eben Sadie is the most influential winemaker of his generation in South Africa. Having worked in wineries right around the world in the 1990s (Burgundy, Oregon, Italy, Austria and Germany) he returned to South Africa and started his own label, Sadie Family Wines, in 1999. Its first wine, the Syrah-based Columella 2000, was awarded 5 stars in the Platter Guide. Palladius, its idiosyncratic flagship white, received 5 stars in its third (2004) vintage. Following a period of supporting winemaking projects outside of South Africa he now focuses only on the wines in makes from vineyards in the Swaartland, Olifants River and Stellenbosch.
His hard work, attention to detail, diligence on organic farming methods and incredible knowledge of the Western Cape's vinous historical treasures have inspired those that work with him, around him and sell his wines globally. His influence today is prophetic, his wines are profound and extremely sought after. His flagship wines are Columella and Palladius, blends made from all the parcels and varieties he works with, while his Old Vine Series are a brilliant collection of single vineyard wines with evocative names such as Pofadder (Puffadder), Skerpioen (Scorpion), Soldaat (Soldier), T'Voetpad (Footpath), Treinspoor (Traintrack), Skurfberg (rugged mountains) and Kokerboom (Aloe tree).
Vineyards: Paardeberg (2 vineyards), Kasteelberg (4 vineyards), Malmesbury (1 vineyard), Piquetberg (1 vineyard).
Soils: (Various) Granite, Slate, Gravel & Sandstone formations.
Vinification: Hand sorting of individual berries of the entire production in small “strawberry” cases. Fermentation takes place spontaneously in 3300 litre open concrete fermenters for about three weeks at a temperature of 24 °C and is then followed by a post-fermentation maceration of another three weeks. No additions are made to the fermenting wine. Pressing takes place in a traditional basket press and the wine is transferred to the barrel (5% new) for malolactic fermentation.
Ageing: The wine spends 12 months on the lees in tight-grain French oak barrels, just 5% of them new. The wine is then racked into big oval casks (foudres) for an additional year of maturation on the fine lees. After a total of two years the wine is bottled without fining or filtration.
The 2021 Columella is a blend of Rhône varieties, 30% Syrah, the lowest ever, with more Mourvèdre, plus Tinta Barocca, 50% whole clusters, spending 12 months in cask (10% new) and 12 months in old foudres, bottled with slightly higher CO2 due to less racking. It has a mixture of red and blueberry fruit, touches of aniseed coming through with time. There’s very ne delineation. The medium-bodied palate has a gorgeous opening with blood orange, black pepper and ginger. It's sleek and less powerful than older vintages, yet it has far more elegance and precision. This is a long-term Columella. 96pts Neal Martin, Vinous
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