Sadie Family, Columella Swartland 2022

98 points James Suckling
"Deep, seductive aromas of violets, green tea, coffee beans, oranges, mulberries, peach pits and smoked paprika spring from the glass. It’s seamless, layered and incredibly complex, with medium body and polished, sleek tannins. It has lovely brightness of fruit and a floral sweetness in the mid-palate. Focused at the end. Fantastic. A blend of syrah, mourvedre, grenache, carignan, cinsault and tinta barroca from 12 vineyards in the Swartland. Try after 2026."

95 points Vinous
"The 2022 Columella has the lowest alcohol level ever bottled for this cuvée, at 13.2%. It is a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault and Tinta Barocca. This takes time to open on the nose and is quite introspective at first, gently unfurling scents of potpourri, undergrowth and brambly red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. There’s a real a sense of symmetry and focus here—a much "cooler" Columella than older vintages, with a sapid finish that urges you back for another sip. Eben Sadie said he would finish the rest of the bottle the night after my tasting…I can see why."

Vinous Reverie Notes
The ever-evolving flagship of Eben Sadie. A Syrah based blend that is a study of terroir. Granite, slate, gravel, and sandstone soils, all in the Swartland. Spontaneous fermentation in 3300L open top concrete. Unfined and unfiltered after spending 2 years in neutral wood, both small barrels and foudre. Tasting Notes: Floral aromas with bright, fresh fruit notes that transition into oriental spice and deep earthy dynamics. Trademark violets and perfumes will further develop over time, contributing to its compact structure. The well-placed acidity and tannin provide a superb overall balance. This vintage is considered classic, with most characteristics being textbook examples. Notably, it has the lowest alcohol content ever achieved for this blend at 13.2%. The wine will benefit from additional aging.