Sadie Family Wines “Columella” 2009

“Healthy deep ruby-red. Deep, sappy aromas of black cherry, menthol and rose petal, plus a whiff of smoke I did not pick up in the 2008. Densely packed and fat; at once savory and seriously ripe, with the black cherry, berry and floral flavors communicating an impression of power. Wonderfully rich, deep wine with lovely definition, and more accessible today than the 2008. Incidentally, Sadie described 2009 as “the strongest vintage ever in Swartland, especially for white wines.” This was the first vintage that was made via what Sadie described as “our new way of aging,” in which the wine stays just 12 months in 10% new thick-walled (68 mm) foudres “that breathe ten times slower.” He also vinified with 20% whole clusters in 2009 for the first time “to preserve more fruit.” (Sadie makes his wines in “The Old Vine Series” entirely with whole clusters but has kept the percentage to about 20% for Columella.)” – Stephen Tanzer, Antonio Galloni’s Vinous