2013 Columella, Sadie Family, Swartland

2013 Columella, Sadie Family, Swartland

Named after the famous roman writer on agriculture, this is Eben’s ode to his Swartland terroir. Made from a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache, there is no oak character, but rather purity of ripe fruit, a lovely garriguey note, complex spice and impressive texture and intensity. A truly wonderful demonstration of what South Africa is capable.

Critic score
96/100 info
Pricing
info
Bottle
From a client
Report
5 available
£152.68

Wine details

  • Region & country
    Swartland, Coastal Region, South Africa
  • Maturity
    Ready 2017 - 2030info
  • Colour
    Red
  • Sweetness
    Dry
  • Style
    Still
  • Unit Volume
    Bottle (75cl.)

Tasting notes

The 2013 Columella is matured for ten months in cask with 10% new oak, and then another ten months in foudres; Eben believes this slows down the maturation. It has a very complex bouquet, mercurial on the nose, and bestowed with wild strawberry and cranberry scents, incense and a hint of marmalade that is beautifully detailed. The palate is medium-bodied, extremely refined and mineral-laden, symmetrical and standing on tip-toes on the finish -- something that this label could not do when Eben started. It is compact at the moment, but it will turn into an astonishing Swartland wine.

Robert M. Parker, Jr., Wine Advocate (December 2015)
96/100

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