Critics Ratings

2003 - 'This just gushes with exotic fruit - raspberry, boysenberry and fig - while staying juicy and vibrant thanks to the tangy mineral spine. Plenty of sweet spice notes also add dimension to the finish, which is rich and youthful.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Aug 2007)

‘Deep colour and a relatively light nose, smelling of blackberries and violets, quite perfumed and almost talcy. Very rounded and voluptuous with the sweetest fruit of all the wines, tamed only by a stern graphite streak and a web of tarragon, fennel and wild herbs. Chewy tannins. Still that mouthwatering signature freshness is there.’  - Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Jun 2011)

2004 - 'Extraordinary to suddenly realise the concentrated power, the tense structural strength informing the graceful ease of 04! As always, Shiraz with 20% Mourvèdre. Darkly ripe fruit, lightly perfumed, nutmeg spice, hints of blackcurrant, in emerging complexity; the usual savoury, subtle, supple tannins. Native yeast ferment in open casks; 2 years in scarcely toasted French oak, 80% new. Balance, concentration enhances good maturation potential.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2007, 4.5*

2005 - 'Usual stringent quality measures taken to extreme in 2005, resulting in ‘controlled power and freshness, a paradox for the vintage’. Darkly ripe fruit, perfumed nutmeg spice and supple, savoury tannins beautifully integrated into textured sensation. Shiraz with 20% Mourvèdre. 2 years in French oak.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2008, 4.5*

‘Offers a stunning array of blue and black fruit - blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry and currant - that is pure, driven and refined, with licorice, sweet spice, vanilla, mineral and sanguine notes flittering throughout. Despite its concentration, this is remarkably elegant, with superb length and a seamless finish. Welcome to the majors, South Africa. Syrah and Mourvèdre.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Aug 2007)

‘Two years in small oak. Dark rusty red colour with lots of shading at the pale rim. Very warm, rich, briary cocktail on the nose with some prunes and dark chocolate. Fragrant almost floral but sweet and a bit pruney on the palate. Eben describes this as southern Rhône compared with the more northern Rhône style of the 2012.’ - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Jan 2015)

‘This has a terrific array of fruit--blueberry, raspberry and boysenberry--that's seamlessly put together with mocha, sweet toast and a tangy iron note. Then it all takes an encore on the lengthy finish. A very impressive display of fruit and minerality together. Syrah and Mourvèdre.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Aug 2007)

‘Very dense and warm minerals on the nose. Sweet and lively now but heaviness lurks beneath. 2004 was a relatively cool vintage. Fruit is still more primary.’ - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Apr 2014)

2006 - Dark and alluring, with currant paste, fig sauce and dark plum notes that glide over rich but fine-grained tannins. Hints of mesquite, melted licorice and bittersweet ganache fill out the finish. Has plenty of length and concentration. This should fill out with moderate cellaring. Syrah and Mourvèdre.' - Wine Spectator 94/100

‘Watermark quality: each berry selected, long cool ferment/extended maceration, basket press, 2 years French oak, 60% new. ‘06 is a triumph; fabulous layered textures, lancing allspice tension in ever-evolving harmony. Shiraz and 20% Mourvèdre.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2009, 4.5*

‘Highly perfumed nose with time in the glass. Dry and such amazing finesse. Very finely textured like strong paper. Beautiful. Dark and subtle. Really light handed and yet long. Mineral, earthy, dry, savoury integrity. It is dense, but not heavy, oak swallowed by the quality of the fruit.’ - Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (May 2009)

2007 -‘Always Shiraz with 20% Mourvèdre, respectfully and traditionally vinified, including berry selection, long cool fermentation and maceration, basket pressed; 2 years in French oak, new component down to only 35% for 2007. Brilliant, sensual, showing gravel-tinged fruit and perfect harmony.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2010, 5*

‘Captivating with a stunning array of loganberry, raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry fruit, all kept racy and invigorating thanks to well-embedded acidity and a bright minerality. Long, velvety and pure, with the iron spine buried deep on the finish. Syrah and Mourvèdre.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Mar 2010)

2008 - 'The 2008 Columella is a Shiraz based blend with a little Mourvedre grown on mainly granite soils and aged for two years in barrels. It has a very distinct bouquet with vibrant, well defined, wild dark berried fruit intermingling with subtle aromas of dark plum, blackberry leaf and a touch of cassis all with great precision. The palate is medium-bodied with fine but sturdy tannins, supremely well balanced with superb acidity and expression, finishing with great mineralite on the finish that has slight blur of alcohol' - RobertParker.com 92/100

Provenance

Producer