2011, Sadie Family Columella, Shiraz Blend, Swartland, Coastal Region, South Africa, 14% Alc, CT90, RP95 WE95
| Article number: | 2011, Sadie Family Columella, Red Blend |
| Availability: | In stock |
95 Points Robert Parker
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. 95WA
About Eben Sadie
Eben Sadie is considered one of the great preservationists and visionaries in the new generation of South African winemakers. To Eben, the vineyard and fruit are part of the story—the truest expression of his art and philosophy. The wine writer Neal Martin recently called Sadie an “outspoken, peripatetic, terroir-obsessed winemaker who has been instrumental in putting Swartland on the map. He produces a small portfolio of comparatively expensive, but highly coveted wines based on Rhone varieties sourced from his seemingly never-ending search for pockets of old bush vines and unique terroirs. These are cerebral wines built to age.”
Region: Swartland Mountain Areas, South Africa
Year Founded: Sadie was founded in 1999, first wine was released in 2000
Proprietors: Eben Sadie
Winemaker: Eben Sadie
Size of property: 24 ha (59 acres), 53 different parcels of vine
Amount of Property Planted: An additional 12 ha will be planted with experimental plots of Xinomavro, Assyrtico, Negroamaro, Aglianico, Greco, Fiano, Massal Selections of Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, Pontac, Alicante Bouchet and more.
Terroir: Paardeberg Mountain (Granite) , Riebeek Mountain (Slate), Piquetberg (Sandstone & Quartz), Coastal Plain (Chalk Soils), Malmesbury (Glenrosa Terra Rossa Clay Soils)
Annual Production: 3,800 12/750ml cases
Varieties Cultivated: Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsaut, Tinta Barocca, Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanc, Viognier, Verdellho, Marsanne, Roussanne, Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris, Palomino and others