South Africa
At the bottom of its great continent, South Africa is a country of unlimited natural advantages. With the confluence of two oceans at the Cape, the sheltering effect of inland mountain chains and some of the most dynamic soils in the world, every piece is in place for the production of fine wine. The most well-known region has historically been Stellenbosch, but it is the wines of Swartland that have really turned South African wine on its head in recent years.
The wine industry is in the midst of a renaissance with classically styled wines making full advantage of remarkable terroir and an adventurous spirit. As a result, South Africa is producing some truly exceptional wines of great character and value. Striking blockbuster Syrahs and Bordeaux blends to full bodied Chardonnay and crisp Sauvignon Blanc are some of this great nation’s offerings. South Africa’s own grape, Pinotage, leaves critics divided yet can produce excellent single-variety offerings as well as distinguished Cape blends.
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South Africa
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€141.42 |
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Vinous (94)The 2019 Raaigras, pure Grenache including 15% stems, has a vibrant bouquet of red cherry and strawberry scents, demonstrating a little more presence than Badenhorst’s other reds. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, crisp red berry fruit and a liberal sprinkling of white pepper. The whole bunch addition lends more presence and density compared to other cuvées from Badenhorst, and there is superb length. The standout this year. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€104.64 |
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Tim Atkin MW (94)Made with what Adi Badenhorst assures me is the oldest Grenache vines in the Cape, planted in 1952, this is a reserved, focused, dusty red with very little oak influence, understated grip and concentration, brooding minerality and plum and red cherry fruit. 2023-28 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€105.42 |
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Vinous (93)The 2021 Grenache Raaigras comes from vines planted in 1952, fully-destemmed and fermented in conical concrete vats. With dark cherries and raspberry coulis on the nose, this feels very cohesive with light slatey notes becoming more prominent with time. The palate is well balanced with a little chewiness on the entry, white pepper and touches for garrigues towards the persistent finish. Excellent. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€112.62 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€117.42 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€111.42 |
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Coastal Region | 3 | - |
Inc. TAX
€466.92 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€110.64 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)Chris Alheit's recently acquired Nuwedam farm on the Paardeberg is the source of this world-class Chenin Blanc, which shows his determination to "zero out the winemaking" and focus on site. White flower and roof thatch aromas segue into a taut, focused, stony, effortlessly concentrated palate with layers of fennel, oatmeal and green apple. |
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Western Cape | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€170.22 |
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Western Cape | 1 | 93 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€158.64 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (93)The 2013 Cartology Bush Vines is a blend of 88% Chenin Blanc and 12% Semillon. The bouquet is very well-defined with great clarity, very reminiscent of the 2011, opening up with aeration to reveal subtle scents of lemon curd, apricot, honeysuckle and Mirabelle. The palate is well-balanced, harmonious in the mouth, everything understated at first, but it builds nicely toward a taut, saline finish. This seems more aligned to the 2012 than the 2011 and it deserves at least one or two years in bottle. Succinct is the word that comes to mind - and that is not an easy attribute to instill into a wine. |
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Western Cape | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€145.44 |
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Vinous (94)The 2014 Cartology has a different bouquet compared to the 2012 and 2013: more complexity here with linden, orange zest, yellow flowers and a touch of chalk dust (perhaps with just a touch of botrytis.) The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, hints of mango and yellow plum, lemon curd, ginger and a touch of spice on the finish. This is more forward than the 2012 and 2013, a subtle nuttiness emerging with time. Tasted at the Alheit seminar with Chris Alheit in London. |
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Western Cape | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€333.25 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2018 Cartology, a blend of 90% Chenin Blanc and 10% Sémillon this year, is whole-cluster-pressed with no SO2 addition, and matured in used oak. It has a well defined, pure bouquet of dried honey, yellow flower, honeysuckle and lanolin aromas that instantly seduce the senses. The palate is beautifully balanced with a slightly oily-textured opening, the intensity deftly counterbalanced by the fine bead of acidity, and a discreet spiciness toward the finish. This is very harmonious and persistent, an effortless Cartology that should age with style. Superb. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 90 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€119.04 |
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Vinous (90)From vines planted in 2010, the 2017 Hemelrand Vine Garden was matured in old neutral barrels and cement egg. It has a clean, pure bouquet of lemon curd, albumen and light yellow flowers. The palate is well balanced, with a taut line of acidity, and quite saline in the mouth. The sharp, slightly flinty finish oddly reminds me of a mature Chablis. Very fine. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€246.85 |
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Vinous (93)The 2018 Hemelrand Vine Garden is whole-cluster-pressed and matured in oak and foudres. It has a very seductive bouquet of honeysuckle, passion fruit and hints of beeswax that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a saline opening, plus a fine bead of acidity. There is a light saline lick toward the finish that becomes nuttier with aeration, although this does not quite deliver the complexity of Alheit’s best Chenin Blancs. Still, it is a lovely white blend that should age with style. |
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Western Cape | 2 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€190.44 |
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Tim Atkin MW (94)Hereafter Here is what Chris Alheit calls a "young vineyard wine" although it contains older material from the Paardeberg and Tygerberg too. Blended with a splash of Semillon from Franschhoek, it's a total bargain in the range, with a nice interplay of lees, beeswax and granite-derived structure and a touch of flinty reduction. |
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Olifants River | 1 | 99 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€176.64 |
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Tim Atkin MW (99)The Van Lill family's vineyards on Citrusdal Mountain are one of the Cape's Grand Cru sites, right up there with the greatest in the world. Chris Alheit's stunning Chenin Blanc, made with "some of the best grapes I've ever seen", hails from blocks ten and 13 and is breathtakingly intense. Pear, passion fruit, rock salt and fynbos flavours are framed by subtle oak and mouth-watering minerality. A great winemaker's interpretation of a sublime terroir. 2023-35 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (GS) |
Inc. TAX
€264.78 |
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Greg Sherwood MW (96)A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Syrah and 7% Petit Verdot which was aged for 19 months in French oak, 50% new 400 litre barrels and 50% second fill. A seductively perfumed vintage, the aromatics show alluring notes of violets, potpourri and hits of lily over dark bramble berry fruits with hints of mocha espresso notes that combine with subtle buttered brown toast nuances. The palate shows fabulous elegance and finesse with a soft touch concentration of black currant, Christmas pudding, savoury plum compote and black cherry. The tannins are powdery and fine grained but also structured and drying, combining well with a fresh glossy acidity that keeps the finish focused, vibrant and bright. An impressive wine that not only shows off another great vintage in the Cape but also what is increasingly possible with the superb Anwilka Stellenbosch terroir. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€335.80 |
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James Suckling (95)Aromas of red and black currants, black licorice and fresh garden herbs. Full-bodied with fine, decadent tannins that run the length of the wine. Widescreen on the palate with lovely openness, but still retains some exciting tension. Very different mouth-feel than previous vintages. Textural at the finish. Very nicely structured. Best after 2025. |
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Cape South Coast | 2 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€216.78 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)You know class when you taste it, and this is certainly that. Deservedly established as one of South Africa's most consistently outstanding Chardonnays, this has the structure and concentration to age, with no malolactic at all, 22% new wood and complex, nuanced, stony flavours of lemon zest, oatmeal and stone fruit – Drinking to 2028 |
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Western Cape | 1 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€188.66 |
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Tim Atkin MW (94)Fermented in 22% new wood without malolactic, this is consistently one of the Cape's best Chardonnays, a wine that can rival a very good Côte de Beaune white Burgundy. Leesy, waxy and stylishly wooded with racy acidity and the concentration to age further in bottle. |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€367.98 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Dassiekop was the first single vineyard Chenin Blanc from Adi Badenhorst, taking its first bow in 2011. Located at 350 metres and surrounded by aromatic fynbos, this is a classic expression of granite soils: concentrated, dense and focused, all pear, wax and lanolin with mouth-watering freshness and length. 2022-27 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€111.42 |
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Coastal Region | 3 | - |
Inc. TAX
€625.32 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€111.42 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€168.82 |
|||||
Vinous (92)The 2017 The Chocolate Block contains less Syrah than previous vintages: 64%, plus 14% Grenache, 11% Cinsault, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier, the Cabernet being the only variety that saw new oak. It was matured 16 months in used oak. The important factor is that there is not much more fruit sourced from the estate’s vines in Porseleinberg and the Goldmine Vineyards. It has a very well defined bouquet of blackberry, raspberry coulis, crushed rose petals, hints of orange peel and minerals. This is much more detailed and classic in style than previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a fine bead of acidity, and quite saline and spicy in the mouth . The fresh, quite pure finish lingers in the mouth. This is a very impressive wine, to the point where I feel that The Chocolate Block no longer reflects the style of the wine. It is a great achievement that this level of quality is achieved with 2,057 barrels of wine. Bravo. |
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|
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Coastal Region | 1 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€228.06 |
|||||
Vinous (92)The 2017 The Chocolate Block contains less Syrah than previous vintages: 64%, plus 14% Grenache, 11% Cinsault, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier, the Cabernet being the only variety that saw new oak. It was matured 16 months in used oak. The important factor is that there is not much more fruit sourced from the estate’s vines in Porseleinberg and the Goldmine Vineyards. It has a very well defined bouquet of blackberry, raspberry coulis, crushed rose petals, hints of orange peel and minerals. This is much more detailed and classic in style than previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a fine bead of acidity, and quite saline and spicy in the mouth . The fresh, quite pure finish lingers in the mouth. This is a very impressive wine, to the point where I feel that The Chocolate Block no longer reflects the style of the wine. It is a great achievement that this level of quality is achieved with 2,057 barrels of wine. Bravo. |
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Coastal Region | 8 | 93 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€342.49 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (93)A skilfully blended and packaged wine that manages to shift large volumes at an extremely profitable price, The Chocolate Block is a clever assemblage of mostly Syrah from the Goldmine and Porseleinberg vineyards with 9% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier. Fleshy, perfumed and smooth, it has sweet goji berry and summer pudding fruit, velvety tannins, scented cinnamon oak and a fresh, lifted finish. |
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|
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Coastal Region | 4 | 93 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€227.70 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (93)A skilfully blended and packaged wine that manages to shift large volumes at an extremely profitable price, The Chocolate Block is a clever assemblage of mostly Syrah from the Goldmine and Porseleinberg vineyards with 9% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier. Fleshy, perfumed and smooth, it has sweet goji berry and summer pudding fruit, velvety tannins, scented cinnamon oak and a fresh, lifted finish. |
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|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€143.04 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek, matured for 22 months in 80% new French barriques, has a fresh, marine-influenced bouquet that I feel has a little more complexity than the Stellenbosch. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, lightly spiced with black pepper and bay leaf, and very focused, leading to a bright and quite structured finish. This has more class and nuance than its Stellenbosch counterpart. |
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|
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Coastal Region | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€402.78 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek, matured for 22 months in 80% new French barriques, has a fresh, marine-influenced bouquet that I feel has a little more complexity than the Stellenbosch. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, lightly spiced with black pepper and bay leaf, and very focused, leading to a bright and quite structured finish. This has more class and nuance than its Stellenbosch counterpart. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
€114.00 |
|||||
Vinous (94)The 2019 Raaigras, pure Grenache including 15% stems, has a vibrant bouquet of red cherry and strawberry scents, demonstrating a little more presence than Badenhorst’s other reds. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, crisp red berry fruit and a liberal sprinkling of white pepper. The whole bunch addition lends more presence and density compared to other cuvées from Badenhorst, and there is superb length. The standout this year. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
€84.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)Made with what Adi Badenhorst assures me is the oldest Grenache vines in the Cape, planted in 1952, this is a reserved, focused, dusty red with very little oak influence, understated grip and concentration, brooding minerality and plum and red cherry fruit. 2023-28 |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€84.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2021 Grenache Raaigras comes from vines planted in 1952, fully-destemmed and fermented in conical concrete vats. With dark cherries and raspberry coulis on the nose, this feels very cohesive with light slatey notes becoming more prominent with time. The palate is well balanced with a little chewiness on the entry, white pepper and touches for garrigues towards the persistent finish. Excellent. |
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|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | - |
In Bond
€90.00 |
|||||
|
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
In Bond
€94.00 |
|||||
|
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
In Bond
€89.00 |
|||||
|
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Coastal Region | 3 | - |
In Bond
€343.00 |
|||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
In Bond
€89.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (98)Chris Alheit's recently acquired Nuwedam farm on the Paardeberg is the source of this world-class Chenin Blanc, which shows his determination to "zero out the winemaking" and focus on site. White flower and roof thatch aromas segue into a taut, focused, stony, effortlessly concentrated palate with layers of fennel, oatmeal and green apple. |
|||||||||
|
|
Western Cape | 1 | - |
In Bond
€138.00 |
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|
|
Western Cape | 1 | 93 (WA) |
In Bond
€129.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (93)The 2013 Cartology Bush Vines is a blend of 88% Chenin Blanc and 12% Semillon. The bouquet is very well-defined with great clarity, very reminiscent of the 2011, opening up with aeration to reveal subtle scents of lemon curd, apricot, honeysuckle and Mirabelle. The palate is well-balanced, harmonious in the mouth, everything understated at first, but it builds nicely toward a taut, saline finish. This seems more aligned to the 2012 than the 2011 and it deserves at least one or two years in bottle. Succinct is the word that comes to mind - and that is not an easy attribute to instill into a wine. |
|||||||||
|
|
Western Cape | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
€118.00 |
|||||
Vinous (94)The 2014 Cartology has a different bouquet compared to the 2012 and 2013: more complexity here with linden, orange zest, yellow flowers and a touch of chalk dust (perhaps with just a touch of botrytis.) The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, hints of mango and yellow plum, lemon curd, ginger and a touch of spice on the finish. This is more forward than the 2012 and 2013, a subtle nuttiness emerging with time. Tasted at the Alheit seminar with Chris Alheit in London. |
|||||||||
|
|
Western Cape | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€259.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2018 Cartology, a blend of 90% Chenin Blanc and 10% Sémillon this year, is whole-cluster-pressed with no SO2 addition, and matured in used oak. It has a well defined, pure bouquet of dried honey, yellow flower, honeysuckle and lanolin aromas that instantly seduce the senses. The palate is beautifully balanced with a slightly oily-textured opening, the intensity deftly counterbalanced by the fine bead of acidity, and a discreet spiciness toward the finish. This is very harmonious and persistent, an effortless Cartology that should age with style. Superb. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 90 (VN) |
In Bond
€96.00 |
|||||
Vinous (90)From vines planted in 2010, the 2017 Hemelrand Vine Garden was matured in old neutral barrels and cement egg. It has a clean, pure bouquet of lemon curd, albumen and light yellow flowers. The palate is well balanced, with a taut line of acidity, and quite saline in the mouth. The sharp, slightly flinty finish oddly reminds me of a mature Chablis. Very fine. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€187.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2018 Hemelrand Vine Garden is whole-cluster-pressed and matured in oak and foudres. It has a very seductive bouquet of honeysuckle, passion fruit and hints of beeswax that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a saline opening, plus a fine bead of acidity. There is a light saline lick toward the finish that becomes nuttier with aeration, although this does not quite deliver the complexity of Alheit’s best Chenin Blancs. Still, it is a lovely white blend that should age with style. |
|||||||||
|
|
Western Cape | 2 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
€138.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)Hereafter Here is what Chris Alheit calls a "young vineyard wine" although it contains older material from the Paardeberg and Tygerberg too. Blended with a splash of Semillon from Franschhoek, it's a total bargain in the range, with a nice interplay of lees, beeswax and granite-derived structure and a touch of flinty reduction. |
|||||||||
|
|
Olifants River | 1 | 99 (TA) |
In Bond
€144.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (99)The Van Lill family's vineyards on Citrusdal Mountain are one of the Cape's Grand Cru sites, right up there with the greatest in the world. Chris Alheit's stunning Chenin Blanc, made with "some of the best grapes I've ever seen", hails from blocks ten and 13 and is breathtakingly intense. Pear, passion fruit, rock salt and fynbos flavours are framed by subtle oak and mouth-watering minerality. A great winemaker's interpretation of a sublime terroir. 2023-35 |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (GS) |
In Bond
€202.00 |
|||||
Greg Sherwood MW (96)A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Syrah and 7% Petit Verdot which was aged for 19 months in French oak, 50% new 400 litre barrels and 50% second fill. A seductively perfumed vintage, the aromatics show alluring notes of violets, potpourri and hits of lily over dark bramble berry fruits with hints of mocha espresso notes that combine with subtle buttered brown toast nuances. The palate shows fabulous elegance and finesse with a soft touch concentration of black currant, Christmas pudding, savoury plum compote and black cherry. The tannins are powdery and fine grained but also structured and drying, combining well with a fresh glossy acidity that keeps the finish focused, vibrant and bright. An impressive wine that not only shows off another great vintage in the Cape but also what is increasingly possible with the superb Anwilka Stellenbosch terroir. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
€261.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)Aromas of red and black currants, black licorice and fresh garden herbs. Full-bodied with fine, decadent tannins that run the length of the wine. Widescreen on the palate with lovely openness, but still retains some exciting tension. Very different mouth-feel than previous vintages. Textural at the finish. Very nicely structured. Best after 2025. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cape South Coast | 2 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€162.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)You know class when you taste it, and this is certainly that. Deservedly established as one of South Africa's most consistently outstanding Chardonnays, this has the structure and concentration to age, with no malolactic at all, 22% new wood and complex, nuanced, stony flavours of lemon zest, oatmeal and stone fruit – Drinking to 2028 |
|||||||||
|
|
Western Cape | 1 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
€138.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)Fermented in 22% new wood without malolactic, this is consistently one of the Cape's best Chardonnays, a wine that can rival a very good Côte de Beaune white Burgundy. Leesy, waxy and stylishly wooded with racy acidity and the concentration to age further in bottle. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 3 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€288.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Dassiekop was the first single vineyard Chenin Blanc from Adi Badenhorst, taking its first bow in 2011. Located at 350 metres and surrounded by aromatic fynbos, this is a classic expression of granite soils: concentrated, dense and focused, all pear, wax and lanolin with mouth-watering freshness and length. 2022-27 |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | - |
In Bond
€89.00 |
|||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 3 | - |
In Bond
€475.00 |
|||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | - |
In Bond
€89.00 |
|||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
€133.00 |
|||||
Vinous (92)The 2017 The Chocolate Block contains less Syrah than previous vintages: 64%, plus 14% Grenache, 11% Cinsault, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier, the Cabernet being the only variety that saw new oak. It was matured 16 months in used oak. The important factor is that there is not much more fruit sourced from the estate’s vines in Porseleinberg and the Goldmine Vineyards. It has a very well defined bouquet of blackberry, raspberry coulis, crushed rose petals, hints of orange peel and minerals. This is much more detailed and classic in style than previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a fine bead of acidity, and quite saline and spicy in the mouth . The fresh, quite pure finish lingers in the mouth. This is a very impressive wine, to the point where I feel that The Chocolate Block no longer reflects the style of the wine. It is a great achievement that this level of quality is achieved with 2,057 barrels of wine. Bravo. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
€167.00 |
|||||
Vinous (92)The 2017 The Chocolate Block contains less Syrah than previous vintages: 64%, plus 14% Grenache, 11% Cinsault, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier, the Cabernet being the only variety that saw new oak. It was matured 16 months in used oak. The important factor is that there is not much more fruit sourced from the estate’s vines in Porseleinberg and the Goldmine Vineyards. It has a very well defined bouquet of blackberry, raspberry coulis, crushed rose petals, hints of orange peel and minerals. This is much more detailed and classic in style than previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a fine bead of acidity, and quite saline and spicy in the mouth . The fresh, quite pure finish lingers in the mouth. This is a very impressive wine, to the point where I feel that The Chocolate Block no longer reflects the style of the wine. It is a great achievement that this level of quality is achieved with 2,057 barrels of wine. Bravo. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 8 | 93 (TA) |
In Bond
€247.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (93)A skilfully blended and packaged wine that manages to shift large volumes at an extremely profitable price, The Chocolate Block is a clever assemblage of mostly Syrah from the Goldmine and Porseleinberg vineyards with 9% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier. Fleshy, perfumed and smooth, it has sweet goji berry and summer pudding fruit, velvety tannins, scented cinnamon oak and a fresh, lifted finish. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 4 | 93 (TA) |
In Bond
€171.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (93)A skilfully blended and packaged wine that manages to shift large volumes at an extremely profitable price, The Chocolate Block is a clever assemblage of mostly Syrah from the Goldmine and Porseleinberg vineyards with 9% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier. Fleshy, perfumed and smooth, it has sweet goji berry and summer pudding fruit, velvety tannins, scented cinnamon oak and a fresh, lifted finish. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€116.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek, matured for 22 months in 80% new French barriques, has a fresh, marine-influenced bouquet that I feel has a little more complexity than the Stellenbosch. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, lightly spiced with black pepper and bay leaf, and very focused, leading to a bright and quite structured finish. This has more class and nuance than its Stellenbosch counterpart. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€317.00 |
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Vinous (93)The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek, matured for 22 months in 80% new French barriques, has a fresh, marine-influenced bouquet that I feel has a little more complexity than the Stellenbosch. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, lightly spiced with black pepper and bay leaf, and very focused, leading to a bright and quite structured finish. This has more class and nuance than its Stellenbosch counterpart. |
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