Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art, Asian Arts, Jewellery and Wine
Online-Only Auction, 6 - 14 April 2020
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About this Item
Eben Sadie is South Africa’s most revered winemaker and he arguably kick-started the local fine wine revolution. Over two decades his pursuit for quality in the Swartland has been unparalleled in South Africa and he was voted Winemaker of the Year in 2017 by the International Master of Wine Institute. Eben’s wines were influenced by the Rhône and Spain, with traditional local varieties sourced from pockets of old bush vines and unique terroirs. Long-ageing Columella is often regarded as South Africa’s best red, while Palladius similarly offers an incredible Swartland expression and decades of longevity. The old vine single vineyard series, which was first released in the 2009 vintage, is now firmly the most sought-after release of the year. Mev Kirsten is South Africa’s rarest white wine, produced from a century old Stellenbosch vineyard, while the now legendary Skurfberg received 100 points from Tim Atkin in 2020.
An Incredibly rare opportunity to purchase very early vintages of South Africa's Iconic Red.
Columella is named after the ancient Roman writer who produced perhaps the earliest good treatise on viticulture in his De re rustica. Starting in 2000, Eben’s goal was to produce the finest expression of the Swartland and today Columella is South Africa’s most coveted red wine.
Notes
Due to time constraints set upon us with the COVID-19 Lockdown no original bottle shots were taken.
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. Syrah and Mourvèdre.' - Wine Spectator 93/100
'Warm, drought vintage, produced a dense and a serious wine. Quite hedonistic and ripe, but wonderfully tempered and poised. Rather structured for 16 years of age with savoury depth and layered complexity. Long and powerful. What a treat! ' - Roland Peens 94/100 (2019)
2004 - '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.' - Wine Spectator 92/100
2005- '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.' - Wine Spectator 95/100
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
Provenance
Private Client
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