Product Overview
Winery's Notes
"Our Signature wines spearhead our viticultural and vinicultural developments and the yearly renewed implementation of more finite and precise workings.
The incremental growth of Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsaut, Tinta Barocca, and Pinotage in the final blend has contributed much to the depth and complexity of the tannins. The fruit purity has also been lifted, with remarkable freshness on the palate.
The Columella has taken on many dimensions and interpretations over time, with quality being the central pillar, but more recently, the response to terroir has been more linear.
This 2023 Columella vintage displays strawberry aromas transitioning to dark cherry and floral perfumed aromatics. Over time, the trademark violets and perfumes will develop further; the wine is very compact.
This 2023 is slightly firmer and grippier than the 2022 vintage and presents itself as a deeper-centred wine. Its tannin dynamics are similar to those of the 2019 vintage.
The wine needs time."
Varietal Composition: Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsaut, Tinta Barocca & Pinotage
Appellation: Swartland WO
Fermentation: Spontaneous in concrete
Aging: 12 months in 10% new French oak, followed by an additional 12 months in large foudre
Winemaker: Eben Sadie
97 Points - Wine Advocate
"The Sadie Family 2023 Swartland Columella is fresh yet densely concentrated, offering layered dark fruit, savory spice and impressive volume across a beautifully fleshed-out mid-palate. Drawn from multiple Swartland sites across Paardeberg, Kasteelberg, Malmesbury and Piketberg, the wine blends Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Tinta Barroca aged over 24 months into a seamless regional expression. The complex mix of schist, granite, limestone, alluvial clay and sandstone underscores Columella’s identity as a true Swartland benchmark. Despite the challenges of cloudy weather, vintner Eben Sadie says 2023 is one of his most satisfying vintages." -ML, 2/26/2026
96 Points - Vinous
"The 2023 Columella is the usual blend of seven varieties. It has quite an intense bouquet, with a mixture of red and black fruit, cigar box, potpourri and a light sea influence. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine-grain tannins, gentle grip, beautifully balanced, with a long and tender finish. Just wonderful transparency to this Columella that will give many years of drinking pleasure. Snapping at the heels of the best Sadie has made. Drink: 2028-2050." -NM, 10/2025
