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.
South Africa
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Vinous (91)
Full ruby-red. Brooding aromas of black cherry, cassis and licorice. Rich, sweet, seamless, plush cabernet with an almost chocolatey ripeness as well as a medicinal reserve to its pliant dark berry flavors. Wonderfully creamy, edge-free wine to drink soon or lay down. But will it be as expansive as the 2012? Lots of dusty tannins here.Inc. TAX€248.95 -
Inc. TAX€430.45
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Vinous (90)
Full ruby-red. Classic varietal aromas of redcurrant, plum, tobacco, spices and milk chocolate. Plush, sweet, fruit-driven flavors of cassis, black raspberry, licorice and pepper offer a pliant, rather open-knit texture but have the concentration and energy for mid-term aging. Nicely perfumed and not heavy. Finishes with a ripe but serious dusting of tannins and very good length. An excellent showing.Inc. TAX€233.41 -
Vinous (91)
Saturated ruby. Musky blackberry, blueberry, mocha, gunflint, black pepper and underbrush on the nose. Plush, smooth and deep, with superripe flavors of black raspberry, blackberry, dark chocolate and sexy smoky oak. Utterly seamless Syrah with serious but fine-grained tannins and excellent lingering sweetness. Really stains the palate with sweet dark fruits.Inc. TAX€345.25 -
Vinous (93)
(100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 24 months in 100% new oak followed by three years in bottle prior to release): Good deep, bright red. Explosive truffley perfume to the complex aromas of cassis, licorice, violet, graphite and cedar. Plush, fat and seamless, filling the mouth without leaving any impression of weight. Has a texture of liquid silk. Finishes with noble, tooth-saturating tannins and outstanding persistence. The ancient granite soild give low yields and small, concentrated berries at 14% to 14.5% potential alcohol, notes van Rensburg. We can't go above 14.5% or we lose too much acidity. He added that Michel Rolland is now adding some Cabernet Franc and Merlot to this previously 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine. All of my great work is undone, he joked.Inc. TAX€1,009.79
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Vinous (91)
Full ruby-red. Brooding aromas of black cherry, cassis and licorice. Rich, sweet, seamless, plush cabernet with an almost chocolatey ripeness as well as a medicinal reserve to its pliant dark berry flavors. Wonderfully creamy, edge-free wine to drink soon or lay down. But will it be as expansive as the 2012? Lots of dusty tannins here.In Bond€185.00 -
In Bond€340.00
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Vinous (90)
Full ruby-red. Classic varietal aromas of redcurrant, plum, tobacco, spices and milk chocolate. Plush, sweet, fruit-driven flavors of cassis, black raspberry, licorice and pepper offer a pliant, rather open-knit texture but have the concentration and energy for mid-term aging. Nicely perfumed and not heavy. Finishes with a ripe but serious dusting of tannins and very good length. An excellent showing.In Bond€176.00 -
Vinous (91)
Saturated ruby. Musky blackberry, blueberry, mocha, gunflint, black pepper and underbrush on the nose. Plush, smooth and deep, with superripe flavors of black raspberry, blackberry, dark chocolate and sexy smoky oak. Utterly seamless Syrah with serious but fine-grained tannins and excellent lingering sweetness. Really stains the palate with sweet dark fruits.In Bond€269.00 -
Vinous (93)
(100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 24 months in 100% new oak followed by three years in bottle prior to release): Good deep, bright red. Explosive truffley perfume to the complex aromas of cassis, licorice, violet, graphite and cedar. Plush, fat and seamless, filling the mouth without leaving any impression of weight. Has a texture of liquid silk. Finishes with noble, tooth-saturating tannins and outstanding persistence. The ancient granite soild give low yields and small, concentrated berries at 14% to 14.5% potential alcohol, notes van Rensburg. We can't go above 14.5% or we lose too much acidity. He added that Michel Rolland is now adding some Cabernet Franc and Merlot to this previously 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine. All of my great work is undone, he joked.In Bond€819.00