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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 | 95 (DC) |
Inc. TAX
€373.98 |
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Decanter (95)An utterly delicious Cinsault from Swartland pioneer and champion of the Cinsault revival in South Africa, Andre Adrian (Adi) Badenhorst. The Ramnasgras comes from a small vineyard on the estate, planted in the mid 50’s, and is the product of meticulous hand selection, fermentation in ‘dodgy old wooden vats’ and maturation in ‘less dodgy foudre for 12 months’. Such is Adi’s way, the wine is made with minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery and is a true reflection of the vintage conditions and Swartland terroir. This is full of red berries and perfumed floral notes with a mineral edge. A small production of 3,500 bottles, so worth seeking out and stocking-up if you can. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (JP) |
Inc. TAX
€568.38 |
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John Platter (95)Elegant & composed red blend, continues serious vein noted in 2011 & 2009; Shiraz component upped to 87% with Cab. Unforced & subtly oaked, with exotic & enticing cardamom overlay. |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 96 (GS) |
Inc. TAX
€250.38 |
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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 | 96 (GS) |
Inc. TAX
€223.98 |
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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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Cape South Coast | 2 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€265.98 |
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Tim Atkin (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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Coastal Region | 3 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€361.98 |
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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 | 19+ (MJ) |
Inc. TAX
€251.74 |
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Matthew Jukes (19+)The nose on this outstanding wine reminds me of an elite Cabernet from another part of the world – Frankland River in Western Australia. There is more than a hint of ‘Houghton Jack Mann’ on the perfume and palate of this wine’s sensational 25th-anniversary release. Underpinning the profoundly deep black fruit notes is a sense of earthiness and energy that allows the blackberry and blackcurrant flavours to soar. With 70% new French oak on board, which has been folded away perfectly into the heart of this mighty wine, there is an extra dimension of flavour here thanks to the addition of a soupcon of Cabernet Franc. Only a handful of South African wines manage to capture this noble grape’s true essence while maintaining a compelling sense of stylishness. 2020 CSF does this in spades and it will continue to do so for two decades. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 99 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€365.58 |
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Tim Atkin MW (99)Boekenhoutskloof has always made impressive, age-worthy Semillons, but Gottfried Mocke has taken the 2020 to another level of complexity. Using grapes from three old parcels, planted in 1902, 1936 and 1942, with the largest component from the legendary La Colline vineyard, this includes 2% Muscat d'Alexandrie and some field blended Semillon Gris. Fermented in two thirds new wood, with the rest seeing concrete eggs and amphoras, it's one of the greatest ever Cape whites. Stony, flinty and layered, with wax, lemongrass and nutmeg flavours and subtle struck match reduction. Wow! |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 18.5+ (MJ) |
Inc. TAX
€311.58 |
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Matthew Jukes (18.5+)Plush and packed with cassis, this is a tremendously flashy wine with deep wells of liqueur-like fruit coupled with strident oak and a lovely bright, dry finish. Yearning to be set free, BCSS is like a prize-fighter itching for the bell so it can launch itself at its opponent. This is an amazing Cabernet and while it has the stuffing to go deep into the later rounds, I love its toned flanks and glistening musculature right now. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (PG) |
Inc. TAX
€293.58 |
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Platter's South African Wine Guide (97)(Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year) Power & precision combine in stellar 2019. Ripe black cherry fruit with lifted perfume notes (dab of cab franc, as Franschhoek sibling), fine integrated tannins & fresh, lithe appeal. 75% new French oak adds to muscular richness completing a very fine wine. 5 parcels in Helderberg, Polkadraai & Faure. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 19+ (MJ) |
Inc. TAX
€258.78 |
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Matthew Jukes (19+)I have never forgotten the 2000 vintage of this wine, which I wrote up in one of my books many moons ago. In the blink of an eye, the perfume on this 2018 vintage took me back to that great wine and while this label has been known to wander off into the forest in certain vintages, it is back with a brooding bang and loaded with Hermitage-like malevolence in 2018. With a melange of both red and black fruit tones and considerable aromatic lift on the nose, this is a Syrah with its feet firmly planted in the earth while its head is in the clouds such is the scale and majesty of its posture. Like the other reds in this vintage, the oak integration is near perfect and this allows the fruit to sing. If there is one wine to drink before the other reds, then this is it, and while it might be a criminal offence to drink this wine so young, I am sure you will break the law for a flavour as enthralling and all-encompassing as this one. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€256.38 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)The wine that launched the modern Syrah revolution in South Africa, even if it's sourced from two sites in the Swartland these days, rather than Somerset West. Almost indecently perfumed and alluring, this is a very immediate wine that will also reward cellaring. Sweet spices, red berry fruit, fine, savoury tannins and just a hint of oak with energetic acidity. 2023-31 |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 19+ (MJ) |
Inc. TAX
€258.78 |
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Matthew Jukes (19+)With 90% of the fruit coming from Porseleinberg and 10% from Goldmine, both in Swartland, this is a wondrous wine with more detail and finesse than any preceding vintage. Utilising only large foudre, the spice and fruit aromatics are as pure and evocative as I have encountered in a Cape Syrah. While the flavour palette is more deep purple than black-fruited, there is no obvious oak intervention and this allows the fruit to soar. Sanguineous and sappy on the finish, this is a glorious red wine with elemental animal notes interwoven with silky ribbons of beautifully ripe blackcurrant, mulberry and plum flavours. With the same texture and volume of fruit as a Vosne-Romanée, this is a regal creation that distances itself from the meat and muscle often found in sun-loving Syrahs! |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€528.78 |
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Tim Atkin (98)I’m making this for Syrah fanatics”, says Reenen Borman. Lucky them is all I can say, because this is another stunning release from a brilliant young winemaker. Intense, granitic and spicy, with lovely lavender and garrigue aromas, layers of dark, inky fruit, stylish oak and amazing length. What more do you want from a Syrah? 2020-30 |
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Cape South Coast | 4 | 97 (IWSC) |
Inc. TAX
€282.78 |
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IWSC (97)Very classy wine with nicely judged oak that adds vanilla spice to the tropical fruit and toffee apple flavours. Perfectly poised with crisp acidity and an elegant, long finish. |
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Cape South Coast | 4 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€335.58 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Cuvée Cinéma is sourced from the top end of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley from a clay- shales vineyard planted in 2009. The stems were unusually mature in 2019, so Peter-Allan Finlayson added 70% whole bunches. The result is sappy, spicy and quite dense, with effortless concentration, black cherry and plum fruit, sinewy tannins and good ageing potential. 2022-29 |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€466.38 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Part of a brilliant line up of Pinot Noirs from Crystallum in 2020, this is a wine with evident tannin and extraction - more Nuits-St-Georges than Chambolle-Musigny perhaps - with plenty of grip, dark cherry and raspberry fruit, subtle 20% new wood and added complexity from 40% whole bunches. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€508.38 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Jacob's Vineyard on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge - also the source of Crystallum's Clay Shales Chardonnay - supplies the grapes for Cuvée Cinéma, which sits mid-way between Bona Fide and Mabalel in style. Perfumed, intense and grippy, with orange zest, cranberry and forest floor notes and well-handled 20% new oak. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95+ (GS) |
Inc. TAX
€313.98 |
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Greg Sherwood MW (95+)The grapes for the second release of Ferrum Chardonnay are sourced from a one hectare slice of 12 year old vines located within a seven hectare vineyard block on iron rich soils that lies just three kilometres beyond the Creation Winery (in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge) at Shaw’s Mountain in the Overberg. The other six hectares were planted by Peter-Allan more recently and currently go into the Agnes Chardonnay cuvee. The original part of the vineyard was based around Sauvignon Blanc vines that were field grafted over to Chardonnay. The aromatics show seductive lactic lemony tangerine notes of yellow citrus pastille, subtle salted toffee and delicate vanilla wood spice nuances over a flinty minerality. The palate is full, crystalline and finely balanced with a plush textural glycerol mouthfeel displaying hints of caramelised lemons, lime peel, lemon biscuits and salted vanilla ice cream on the finish. Another very impressive pinpoint, seamless expression of Chardonnay from Crystallum. Production is tiny so the challenge is always to track down a few precious bottles that you can drink on release or over 10+ years. |
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Coastal Region | 4 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€474.78 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)One of a trio of world-class single site Chenin Blancs from David and Nadie Sadie (no relation to Eben, by the way), this hails from a two-hectare vineyard that was planted in 1968 and is often picked late. Completing full malolactic - such is the acidity in the grapes - this is leesy, focused and taut, with some ferrous grip and a textured palate. 2021-29 |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€496.54 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)Hoë-Steen deserves its reputation as one of the Cape's greatest Chenin Blancs. Picked late from a south-facing, two-hectare planted on red clay soils in 1968, it's a dense, broad yet effortlessly focused white, with fennel and wild herb aromas, wonderful purity and a tapering, textured finish. 2024-30 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€459.18 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)One of the great whites of the southern hemisphere, not just of South Africa, this is the Montrachet of Chenin Blanc. Made with three different pickings from the top part of the Paardebosch farm, it has the concentration of its 40-year-old vines, mouth-watering acidity and pH, chiselled freshness and layers of rock salt, aromatic spices, pear and lemongrass. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 98 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€496.54 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)One of those wines that makes you want to burst into joyful song, Plat'bos hails from a 3.8-hectare vineyard planted in 1981 on decomposed granite and produces 1,400 bottles for the whole world. Early picked in a warmer, north-west facing site, this is counter-intuitively fresh and chiselled, shimmering with minerality, freshness, energy and drive. Mouthwateringly intense. 2024-32 |
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Coastal Region | 4 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€496.54 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)As vineyards go, Rondevlei sounds relatively unexciting - it's a flat, 1.7-hectare parcel on red sand, but the wine it produces is thrilling. Made with five different components, it’s what David Sadie calls a "salt-driven" Chenin Blanc, with a noticeably maritime influence. Sappy and slightly ferrous, it has notes of kelp and citrus and a focused, tangy, engaging finish. 2024-29 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€360.78 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)Skaliekop is a shallow shale site on the Paardebosch farm that benefited from the addition of moisture-retaining mulch in 2019. Yeasty, leesy and broader than the other two single vineyard Sadie Chenins, this has notes of citrus peel and beeswax, plenty of weight and a stony finish. 2021-29 |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 96 (CE) |
Inc. TAX
€362.14 |
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Christian Eedes (96)This vineyard, on decomposed granite, is adjacent to Skaliekop but is slightly older having been in planted in 1981. Bewitching aromatics of flowers and herbs before pear, peach and citrus while the palate shows great focus and tension, electric acidity playing off against perfectly delineated fruit, the finish long and dry. |
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Coastal Region | 4 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€496.54 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)Late picked from a parcel on shale and clay soils, Skaliekop is the richest and most exotic of David and Nadia Sadie's brilliant range of single vineyard Chenin Blancs. Showing some of the concentration of the 2022 vintage, it has layers of pear and stone fruit and the underlying freshness and minerality that are typical of the couple's wines. 2024-30 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€209.58 |
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Tim Atkin (95)It's always a toss-up between the Reserve Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc at DeMorgenzon, as both are excellent, but in 2019 I slightly prefer the latter. Sourced from the four best blocks on the farm, this is rich and exotic, with toasty 10% new French wood, taut underlying acidity and the concentration to develop in bottle. 2021-26 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€193.67 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)DeMorgenzon’s reds have never quite lived up to the brilliance of its whites, but that appears to be changing. This is the fourth release of a Syrah Reserve and it’s the best yet, showing fruit density, some black pepper spice, fine-grained tannins and a bright, perfumed Cote Rotie-like finish. |
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Western Cape | 2 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€235.67 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Not so long ago, the fruit for Follow The Line used to disappear into the Savage Red, but it's now established as a superb wine in its own right. Fermented with 50% whole bunches, it's an ethereal cuvée of Cinsault with 7% Syrah, with rose petal, pepper and Turkish Delight notes, strawberry and hibiscus flavours and sculpted tannins. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (DC) |
In Bond
€293.00 |
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Decanter (95)An utterly delicious Cinsault from Swartland pioneer and champion of the Cinsault revival in South Africa, Andre Adrian (Adi) Badenhorst. The Ramnasgras comes from a small vineyard on the estate, planted in the mid 50’s, and is the product of meticulous hand selection, fermentation in ‘dodgy old wooden vats’ and maturation in ‘less dodgy foudre for 12 months’. Such is Adi’s way, the wine is made with minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery and is a true reflection of the vintage conditions and Swartland terroir. This is full of red berries and perfumed floral notes with a mineral edge. A small production of 3,500 bottles, so worth seeking out and stocking-up if you can. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (JP) |
In Bond
€455.00 |
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John Platter (95)Elegant & composed red blend, continues serious vein noted in 2011 & 2009; Shiraz component upped to 87% with Cab. Unforced & subtly oaked, with exotic & enticing cardamom overlay. |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 96 (GS) |
In Bond
€190.00 |
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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 | 96 (GS) |
In Bond
€168.00 |
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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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Cape South Coast | 2 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€203.00 |
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Tim Atkin (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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Coastal Region | 3 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€283.00 |
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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 | 19+ (MJ) |
In Bond
€191.00 |
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Matthew Jukes (19+)The nose on this outstanding wine reminds me of an elite Cabernet from another part of the world – Frankland River in Western Australia. There is more than a hint of ‘Houghton Jack Mann’ on the perfume and palate of this wine’s sensational 25th-anniversary release. Underpinning the profoundly deep black fruit notes is a sense of earthiness and energy that allows the blackberry and blackcurrant flavours to soar. With 70% new French oak on board, which has been folded away perfectly into the heart of this mighty wine, there is an extra dimension of flavour here thanks to the addition of a soupcon of Cabernet Franc. Only a handful of South African wines manage to capture this noble grape’s true essence while maintaining a compelling sense of stylishness. 2020 CSF does this in spades and it will continue to do so for two decades. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 99 (TA) |
In Bond
€286.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (99)Boekenhoutskloof has always made impressive, age-worthy Semillons, but Gottfried Mocke has taken the 2020 to another level of complexity. Using grapes from three old parcels, planted in 1902, 1936 and 1942, with the largest component from the legendary La Colline vineyard, this includes 2% Muscat d'Alexandrie and some field blended Semillon Gris. Fermented in two thirds new wood, with the rest seeing concrete eggs and amphoras, it's one of the greatest ever Cape whites. Stony, flinty and layered, with wax, lemongrass and nutmeg flavours and subtle struck match reduction. Wow! |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 18.5+ (MJ) |
In Bond
€241.00 |
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Matthew Jukes (18.5+)Plush and packed with cassis, this is a tremendously flashy wine with deep wells of liqueur-like fruit coupled with strident oak and a lovely bright, dry finish. Yearning to be set free, BCSS is like a prize-fighter itching for the bell so it can launch itself at its opponent. This is an amazing Cabernet and while it has the stuffing to go deep into the later rounds, I love its toned flanks and glistening musculature right now. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (PG) |
In Bond
€226.00 |
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Platter's South African Wine Guide (97)(Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year) Power & precision combine in stellar 2019. Ripe black cherry fruit with lifted perfume notes (dab of cab franc, as Franschhoek sibling), fine integrated tannins & fresh, lithe appeal. 75% new French oak adds to muscular richness completing a very fine wine. 5 parcels in Helderberg, Polkadraai & Faure. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 19+ (MJ) |
In Bond
€197.00 |
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Matthew Jukes (19+)I have never forgotten the 2000 vintage of this wine, which I wrote up in one of my books many moons ago. In the blink of an eye, the perfume on this 2018 vintage took me back to that great wine and while this label has been known to wander off into the forest in certain vintages, it is back with a brooding bang and loaded with Hermitage-like malevolence in 2018. With a melange of both red and black fruit tones and considerable aromatic lift on the nose, this is a Syrah with its feet firmly planted in the earth while its head is in the clouds such is the scale and majesty of its posture. Like the other reds in this vintage, the oak integration is near perfect and this allows the fruit to sing. If there is one wine to drink before the other reds, then this is it, and while it might be a criminal offence to drink this wine so young, I am sure you will break the law for a flavour as enthralling and all-encompassing as this one. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
€195.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)The wine that launched the modern Syrah revolution in South Africa, even if it's sourced from two sites in the Swartland these days, rather than Somerset West. Almost indecently perfumed and alluring, this is a very immediate wine that will also reward cellaring. Sweet spices, red berry fruit, fine, savoury tannins and just a hint of oak with energetic acidity. 2023-31 |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 19+ (MJ) |
In Bond
€197.00 |
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Matthew Jukes (19+)With 90% of the fruit coming from Porseleinberg and 10% from Goldmine, both in Swartland, this is a wondrous wine with more detail and finesse than any preceding vintage. Utilising only large foudre, the spice and fruit aromatics are as pure and evocative as I have encountered in a Cape Syrah. While the flavour palette is more deep purple than black-fruited, there is no obvious oak intervention and this allows the fruit to soar. Sanguineous and sappy on the finish, this is a glorious red wine with elemental animal notes interwoven with silky ribbons of beautifully ripe blackcurrant, mulberry and plum flavours. With the same texture and volume of fruit as a Vosne-Romanée, this is a regal creation that distances itself from the meat and muscle often found in sun-loving Syrahs! |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
In Bond
€422.00 |
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Tim Atkin (98)I’m making this for Syrah fanatics”, says Reenen Borman. Lucky them is all I can say, because this is another stunning release from a brilliant young winemaker. Intense, granitic and spicy, with lovely lavender and garrigue aromas, layers of dark, inky fruit, stylish oak and amazing length. What more do you want from a Syrah? 2020-30 |
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Cape South Coast | 4 | 97 (IWSC) |
In Bond
€217.00 |
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IWSC (97)Very classy wine with nicely judged oak that adds vanilla spice to the tropical fruit and toffee apple flavours. Perfectly poised with crisp acidity and an elegant, long finish. |
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Cape South Coast | 4 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€261.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Cuvée Cinéma is sourced from the top end of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley from a clay- shales vineyard planted in 2009. The stems were unusually mature in 2019, so Peter-Allan Finlayson added 70% whole bunches. The result is sappy, spicy and quite dense, with effortless concentration, black cherry and plum fruit, sinewy tannins and good ageing potential. 2022-29 |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€370.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Part of a brilliant line up of Pinot Noirs from Crystallum in 2020, this is a wine with evident tannin and extraction - more Nuits-St-Georges than Chambolle-Musigny perhaps - with plenty of grip, dark cherry and raspberry fruit, subtle 20% new wood and added complexity from 40% whole bunches. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€405.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Jacob's Vineyard on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge - also the source of Crystallum's Clay Shales Chardonnay - supplies the grapes for Cuvée Cinéma, which sits mid-way between Bona Fide and Mabalel in style. Perfumed, intense and grippy, with orange zest, cranberry and forest floor notes and well-handled 20% new oak. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95+ (GS) |
In Bond
€243.00 |
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Greg Sherwood MW (95+)The grapes for the second release of Ferrum Chardonnay are sourced from a one hectare slice of 12 year old vines located within a seven hectare vineyard block on iron rich soils that lies just three kilometres beyond the Creation Winery (in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge) at Shaw’s Mountain in the Overberg. The other six hectares were planted by Peter-Allan more recently and currently go into the Agnes Chardonnay cuvee. The original part of the vineyard was based around Sauvignon Blanc vines that were field grafted over to Chardonnay. The aromatics show seductive lactic lemony tangerine notes of yellow citrus pastille, subtle salted toffee and delicate vanilla wood spice nuances over a flinty minerality. The palate is full, crystalline and finely balanced with a plush textural glycerol mouthfeel displaying hints of caramelised lemons, lime peel, lemon biscuits and salted vanilla ice cream on the finish. Another very impressive pinpoint, seamless expression of Chardonnay from Crystallum. Production is tiny so the challenge is always to track down a few precious bottles that you can drink on release or over 10+ years. |
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Coastal Region | 4 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
€377.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)One of a trio of world-class single site Chenin Blancs from David and Nadie Sadie (no relation to Eben, by the way), this hails from a two-hectare vineyard that was planted in 1968 and is often picked late. Completing full malolactic - such is the acidity in the grapes - this is leesy, focused and taut, with some ferrous grip and a textured palate. 2021-29 |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
€395.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)Hoë-Steen deserves its reputation as one of the Cape's greatest Chenin Blancs. Picked late from a south-facing, two-hectare planted on red clay soils in 1968, it's a dense, broad yet effortlessly focused white, with fennel and wild herb aromas, wonderful purity and a tapering, textured finish. 2024-30 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
In Bond
€364.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)One of the great whites of the southern hemisphere, not just of South Africa, this is the Montrachet of Chenin Blanc. Made with three different pickings from the top part of the Paardebosch farm, it has the concentration of its 40-year-old vines, mouth-watering acidity and pH, chiselled freshness and layers of rock salt, aromatic spices, pear and lemongrass. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 98 (TA) |
In Bond
€395.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)One of those wines that makes you want to burst into joyful song, Plat'bos hails from a 3.8-hectare vineyard planted in 1981 on decomposed granite and produces 1,400 bottles for the whole world. Early picked in a warmer, north-west facing site, this is counter-intuitively fresh and chiselled, shimmering with minerality, freshness, energy and drive. Mouthwateringly intense. 2024-32 |
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Coastal Region | 4 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€395.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)As vineyards go, Rondevlei sounds relatively unexciting - it's a flat, 1.7-hectare parcel on red sand, but the wine it produces is thrilling. Made with five different components, it’s what David Sadie calls a "salt-driven" Chenin Blanc, with a noticeably maritime influence. Sappy and slightly ferrous, it has notes of kelp and citrus and a focused, tangy, engaging finish. 2024-29 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
€282.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)Skaliekop is a shallow shale site on the Paardebosch farm that benefited from the addition of moisture-retaining mulch in 2019. Yeasty, leesy and broader than the other two single vineyard Sadie Chenins, this has notes of citrus peel and beeswax, plenty of weight and a stony finish. 2021-29 |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 96 (CE) |
In Bond
€283.00 |
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Christian Eedes (96)This vineyard, on decomposed granite, is adjacent to Skaliekop but is slightly older having been in planted in 1981. Bewitching aromatics of flowers and herbs before pear, peach and citrus while the palate shows great focus and tension, electric acidity playing off against perfectly delineated fruit, the finish long and dry. |
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Coastal Region | 4 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
€395.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)Late picked from a parcel on shale and clay soils, Skaliekop is the richest and most exotic of David and Nadia Sadie's brilliant range of single vineyard Chenin Blancs. Showing some of the concentration of the 2022 vintage, it has layers of pear and stone fruit and the underlying freshness and minerality that are typical of the couple's wines. 2024-30 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€156.00 |
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Tim Atkin (95)It's always a toss-up between the Reserve Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc at DeMorgenzon, as both are excellent, but in 2019 I slightly prefer the latter. Sourced from the four best blocks on the farm, this is rich and exotic, with toasty 10% new French wood, taut underlying acidity and the concentration to develop in bottle. 2021-26 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€139.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)DeMorgenzon’s reds have never quite lived up to the brilliance of its whites, but that appears to be changing. This is the fourth release of a Syrah Reserve and it’s the best yet, showing fruit density, some black pepper spice, fine-grained tannins and a bright, perfumed Cote Rotie-like finish. |
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Western Cape | 2 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€174.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Not so long ago, the fruit for Follow The Line used to disappear into the Savage Red, but it's now established as a superb wine in its own right. Fermented with 50% whole bunches, it's an ethereal cuvée of Cinsault with 7% Syrah, with rose petal, pepper and Turkish Delight notes, strawberry and hibiscus flavours and sculpted tannins. |
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