Sadie Family Columella 2012 Bottle size: 750ml

'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, Wine Advocate, 96/100

'Good bright ruby. Deep, musky, nuanced nose combines raspberry, flinty minerality, rose petal, anise and crushed herbs; reminded me of a northern Rhone wine. Then broad, round, dry and complex on the palate, with the musky red fruit and floral flavors accented by pepper and flint notes. Still an infant today, this classically dry, very long wine finishes with extremely suave, even tannins, outstanding breadth and a wonderful light touch. Splendid potential here.' - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 95+/100

'I included this in a tasting for guests at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives and they were blown away by the quality and distinctiveness of the blend. Such a serious, genuinely unique wine… So many layers of interesting flavour.' - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com, 18.5/20