South African & International Fine Wine
Live Auction, 14 September 2019
Session Two
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
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.
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.
Critics Ratings
The 2012 Columella is a blend of 76% Syrah, 17% Mourvedre and 7% Grenache from the Swartland and Paardeberg area, hand-sorted and fermented in 2,000-liter open wooden fermenters and raised in barriques (10% new) for 12 months then one year in oval foudres. It has a very well-defined bouquet that repays time in the glass: wild strawberry and bilberry, cloves and white pepper, distant sea spray scents. The palate is medium-bodied with taut tannins, crisp acidity, superb backbone and real “authority” on the finish. One of those wines that will instantly change anyone who does not take South African wine seriously. – Neal Martin 96/100, Wine Advocate (2014)
12 months in small oak and then 12 months in foudres. ‘Don’t worry about tasting reds before whites, our whites always destroy the reds. White vines much older than reds.’ RS about 2.8 g/l. Much less intense colour than the 2005. Mid crimson. Lively freshness on the nose. Real tension and great juiciness. Something much more mineral than the 2005. Really appetising. Sinews and very long and juicy. Beauty and personality.’ – Jancis Robinson 18/20 (2015)
This is well-built, with a bolt of graphite holding fairly weighty blackberry, plum and black currant paste flavors together. Lots of singed juniper and charcoal accents rumble in the background, while a nice brambly feel pervades the finish. Displays range and energy, but needs cellaring to meld fully. Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2017 through 2025. 750 cases made.’ – Wine Spectator 94/100 (2015)
Provenance
Wine Cellar
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