The Sadie Family Columella 2023

The Sadie Family Columella 2023 is a benchmark South African red blend produced by visionary winemaker Eben Sadie. Crafted from old, dry-farmed bush vines across multiple distinct soil types in the Swartland region—including granite, slate, and gravel—this wine undergoes spontaneous fermentation in open concrete tanks followed by 24 months of aging in French oak barrels and large foudres. In the glass, it reveals a deep ruby hue with complex aromas of dark cherries, fresh plums, garrigue, sandalwood, oriental spices, and delicate floral violets. On the palate, it is medium-to-full-bodied, elegant, and tightly wound, displaying fine-grained, silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and an exceptionally long, savory, and mineral-driven finish.

Food Pairing: Pairs wonderfully with roasted rack of lamb, braised beef short ribs, grilled ribeye steak, venison tagine, wild mushroom risotto, and mature hard cheeses.

98 Points - James Suckling

Black cherries, fresh plums, sandalwood, peach pits, sage and cloves on the nose of this deliciously polished and complex red. It’s medium- to full-bodied, intense yet full of finesse and elegance, with firm and very fine-grained tannins. Long, continuous and delicious, with a beautiful interplay of fruit and spice. I love this wine. Syrah, mourvedre, grenache, carignan, cinsault, tinta barocca and pinotage. Drinkable already but better after a couple of years.

97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The Sadie Family 2023 Swartland Columella is fresh yet densely concentrated, offering layered dark fruit, savory spice and impressive volume across a beautifully fleshed-out mid-palate. Drawn from multiple Swartland sites across Paardeberg, Kasteelberg, Malmesbury and Piketberg, the wine blends Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Tinta Barroca aged over 24 months into a seamless regional expression. The complex mix of schist, granite, limestone, alluvial clay and sandstone underscores Columella’s identity as a true Swartland benchmark. Despite the challenges of cloudy weather, vintner Eben Sadie says 2023 is one of his most satisfying vintages.