2019 Sadie Family "Columella" Red
Producer: Sadie Family
Region: Swartland, Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Grapes: Proprietary - Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsaut, and Tinta Barocca
Vintage: 2019
ABV: 13.85%
Vivino: 4.5
Drink By: 2037
Occasional Wine Note: This wine just has so much going on. We were looking for a Pinotage or a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, as those are known stalworths of the region, but kinda stumbled into this crazy awesome wine. With this wine, the Sadie Family wine maker blends some of the primary grapes of France’s Rhone Valley, but does so in such a manner as to produce a masterpiece of complexity and flavor. As Tim Aktin notes, “it’s a seamless Rhone-meets-the-Douro cuvee.” We recommend that you not open this for at least a couple more years.
Tim Atkin
Critic Score: 100
It's entirely appropriate that Columella should achieve a 100-point score in its 20th vintage, having completed two decades of trail-blazing brilliance. Based on Syrah with 55% Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Tinta Barocca, it's a seamless Rhône-meets- the-Douro cuvée with violet, thyme and lavender aromas, subtle oak and peppery whole bunch spices, cassis, blackberry and cranberry flavours, thrilling acidity, minerality and haunting palate length.
A truly great wine at the peak of its considerable powers. 2023-35
Wine Advocate
Critic Score: 96
Impeccably balanced and gorgeously seductive on the nose, the 2019 Columella is a steadfast crowd pleaser with succulent red fruit tones that waft with elegance and fitness before flaunting bright red florals.
Medium to full-bodied, the palate is stunningly impressive with nimble weightlessness across the mid-palate before showcasing power and finesse through layers of complexity. The wine somersaults to an epic finish that continues to linger in the mouth with persistence. Absolutely stunning!