2022 Sadie Family Columella

The 2022 Sadie Family Columella is one of South Africa’s benchmark red wines, a refined yet deeply characterful blend that captures the soul of Swartland. Crafted as a traditional field blend of Mediterranean and Iberian varieties, it offers precision, energy, and remarkable balance at just 13.2% alcohol. With its tiny production, natural winemaking and consistent critical acclaim, Columella has become a modern classic for collectors and serious wine lovers alike.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Columella shows a deep, shimmering ruby core with a slightly paler ruby rim, hinting at both concentration and finesse. The nose is vivid and expressive, leaping from the glass with dark red and black fruits: black raspberry, dark plum and black cherry, interwoven with notes of red and purple flowers, baking spices and a subtle wild, savoury edge. As it opens, nuances of black olive, dried herbs and a touch of smoky minerality begin to emerge. On the palate, this wine is all about poise and layering. The fruit is pure and vibrant, with dark cherry and plum supported by juicy, mouthwatering acidity and fine, powdery tannins that build gently without ever feeling heavy. The medium body and modest alcohol create a sense of effortless drinkability, while the complexity continues to unfold in waves—black olives, spice, a hint of tapenade and stony, almost saline notes. The finish is long, precise and lingering, promising significant aging potential. Properly cellared, this Columella should evolve beautifully for 15–25 years, gaining more savoury depth and tertiary complexity over time.

Production
Columella is sourced from meticulously farmed, old-vine parcels across the Swartland appellation, where dry, sun-drenched conditions, decomposed granite and shale soils, and cooling breezes from the Atlantic combine to produce naturally low yields and intensely flavoured grapes. The wine is a traditional field blend of Cariñena (Carignan), Cinsault, Garnacha (Grenache), Mourvèdre, Syrah and Tinta Barocca, harvested by hand at optimal ripeness to preserve freshness and balance. Fermentation takes place spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in 3,300-liter open-top cement tanks, with three weeks of fermentation followed by around three additional weeks of maceration. No additives are used, and malolactic fermentation occurs in oak barrels, of which only about 5% are new French oak, the rest being seasoned barrels to avoid overt wood influence. After 12 months in barrel, the wine is transferred to large wooden foudres for a further year of maturation on the lees, building texture and complexity. It is then bottled unfined and unfiltered after two years, remaining as true as possible to its Swartland origins.

Food & Serving
Columella’s refined structure and layered complexity make it a versatile partner at the table. It pairs beautifully with roasted or grilled lamb, game birds, slow-cooked beef or veal, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes featuring olives, herbs and tomatoes. It also works wonderfully with roasted root vegetables, mushroom-based dishes and aged hard cheeses. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to show its full aromatic range. Young bottles benefit from decanting for 1–2 hours to allow the wine to unfurl its many layers, while mature examples may be decanted more gently to separate any sediment and to preserve delicate tertiary aromas.

Producer
The Sadie Family Wines, founded by Eben Sadie in the early 2000s, has become one of the most influential wineries in South Africa and a key driving force behind the Swartland revolution. Eben’s philosophy is rooted in expressing place through old vines, careful farming and minimal intervention in the cellar, drawing inspiration from traditional European wine regions while remaining firmly anchored in South African terroir. Columella is the flagship red of the estate and has helped place Swartland on the world wine map, regularly earning high scores and international recognition. Today, Sadie Family is regarded as one of the country’s leading producers, credited with elevating the reputation of Cape wines and showcasing the profound potential of its historic vineyards.