Sadie Family Columella 2014
Vineyards
Our viticultural reviews and implementations over a number of years are finally coming into play and are paying off in the resultant wines. Columella, as one of the signature wines, will always be at the spearhead of developments. Paardeberg (2 vineyards), Kasteelberg (4 vineyards), Malmesbury (1 vineyard), Piquetberg (1 vineyard)
Winemaking and Maturation
Hand sorting of individual berries of the entire production in small “strawberry” cases. Fermentation takes place spontaneously in 3300 litre open concrete fermenters for three weeks. No additions are made to the fermenting wine. Pressing takes place in a traditional basket press and the wine is transferred to the barrel (5% new) for malolactic fermentation.
12 months on the lees in tight-grain French oak barrels, 5% of new. Then racked into big oval casks (foudres) for an additional year of maturation on the fine lees. After two years the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Notes
It was in every respect a slow mover and developer and one that maybe did not attract that much attention from the outset, but did grow in stature and in definition and will continue to do so. A vintage that is and will be worth the wait.
Technical Details
Composition: Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Tinta Barocca, Mourvedre
