“One of the Cape's greatest reds.” - Tim Atkin MW, 98 points

I have been following Eben Sadie’s Columella since its debut vintage in 2000 and I think this is the best iteration I have tasted to date. It has a kind of aristocratic grace, a lingering sillage of feminine perfume, a cold-stone, licked-pencil minerality, and a texture as soft as velvet stroked along the nap. Ask any Swartland winemaker about the 2023 vintage and you will struggle to find one who can hide a wry smile, as they avoided the heavy rains that blighted their neighbours in Stellenbosch and had a stellar harvest that produced rich, concentrated reds. Columella 2023 feels as if it has closed its eyes and breathed in the clean air and let the sunshine warm its skin. A magnificent wine that will give huge pleasure for another 2 decades at least. 13.5% alc. Drink now-2044.

Press review:

Tim Atkin MW: “The latest in a run of stellar Columella releases, this is now a seven-variety blend led by 38% Syrah and complemented by half a dozen Iberian and southern Rhône grapes. Expressing "all the oils of the Swartland", it has subtle 30% whole clusters, aromas of garrigue, oregano and Negroni spices, fine-grained tannins, haunting minerality and a core of bramble, redcurrant and black cherry. One of the Cape's greatest reds. Drink 2027-2038.” 98 points