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
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€270.78 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)This brilliant, barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc comes from the top part of the Willow Spring parcel and is the latest in a line of brilliant releases under this label. Saline, pithy and flinty with hints of nettle and elderflower, fine oak and a finish that goes on for ever. Drink 2019-2027. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€268.42 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)One of the most beautiful and complex terroirs in South Africa supplies the grapes for this unique red, produced from a medley of Shiraz with 33% Mourvèdre, Touriga Nacional and the very rare (in South Africa) Tinta Amarella. Inky, savoury and wild, it has freshness and concentration, notes of rosemary and lavender, meaty depths and fine oak. 2023-30 |
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Cape South Coast | 4 | 93 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€412.12 |
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Tim Atkin MW (93)More conventional than the Sijnn red, this is a three-way blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne that sees a little skin contact before fermentation. Honeysuckle, fresh herb and citrus flavours reminded me of the Rhône Valley. |
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Cape South Coast | 2 | 93 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€208.18 |
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Tim Atkin MW (93)More conventional than the Sijnn red, this is a three-way blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne that sees a little skin contact before fermentation. Honeysuckle, fresh herb and citrus flavours reminded me of the Rhône Valley. |
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Cape South Coast | 2 | 95 (DC) |
Inc. TAX
€311.65 |
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Decanter (95)Hannes Storm makes three distinctive and very different Pinot Noirs from estate-grown fruit in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus. The Vrede Pinot comes from an elevated vineyard site on shale soils and is very Burgundian in style but with a new world flair. Lush red fruit dominates the nose and palate with cherries and violets dominating before a lick of oak leads to more tertiary characters of soil and tomato leaf. Long and delicious. |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€171.25 |
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Vinous (92)The 2017 Cat’s Cradle is John Seccombe’s new Chenin Blanc from a vineyard shared with Chris Alheit and Memento. It has quite a rich bouquet of honey, light yellow plum and a slight petrolly tincture. The palate is well balanced with a lovely waxy texture countered by a fine bead of acidity and a pithy finish that is beautifully defined. Excellent. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 90 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€155.35 |
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Vinous (90)The 2017 Man In The Moon comes from a block of Clairette Blanche that is shared with Craven, the vines 30 years old, and matured in used oak. It has a refulgent straw color with fat tears. The generous bouquet features yellow plum, nectarine, candle wax and light vervain tea aromas. The palate is quite phenolic on the entry, well balanced with a waxy texture and resinous in style; ginger and light pepper notes emerge toward the finish. More tactile than overt in fruit, this is a left-field wine from John Seccombe, one I feel is well made and fascinating. |
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Western Cape | 3 | - |
Inc. TAX
€182.95 |
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In the realm of South African wines, the Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite Semillon 2017 is remarkable. Produced in the highly-regarded Swartland region, this wine is crafted by John and Tasha Seccombe, bolstering a reputation for subtlety and sophistication. A limited production is achieved annually, resulting from rigorous hand-picking from venerable, dry-farmed bush vines. The Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite Semillon 2017 boasts a captivating nose of lemon cream, white flowers, and chamomile. The palate reveals underlying power with intriguing notes of beeswax, green apple, and freestone sprinkled with sea salt. Equipped with a vibrant acidity, it assures a long, resonant finish. The wine undergoes natural fermentation in old French oak, followed by 10 months of maturation featuring regular lees stirring. This process refined its texture, offering a layered, caressing mouthfeel. An Old World-style Semillon principally tailored for the contemporary palate, the Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite Semillon 2017 is undeniably a refined liquid delicacy. |
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Western Cape | 29 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€225.25 |
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Vinous (93)The 2017 Rocking Horse is a blend of five grape varieties that was matured in used oak. It has a knockout bouquet of well-defined citrus peel, orange blossom, nutmeg and light peppery scents. The palate is well balanced, with a fine bead of acidity and quite saline in the mouth, and displays lovely viscosity toward a finish that feels full of tension. In a word: rocking. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | - |
Inc. TAX
€171.25 |
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Experience the exquisite craftsmanship of Thorne & Daughters Semillon Tin Soldier 2017. This majestic South African vintage is produced from venerable old bush vines in the Franschhoek Valley. Expertly crafted by winemaking duo John and Tasha Seccombe, it exudes an expression of fruit purity without parallel. Handpicked grapes, gentle basket pressing, and oak fermentation contribute to its distinctive profile. Bright straw in colour, the wine's bouquet is ripe with star-fruit and fennel notes, while the palate enchants with a brilliant interplay of concentrated citrus, waxy apple textures, and salivating acidity. Thorne & Daughters Semillon Tin Soldier 2017 sets itself apart in its elegance, complexity, and a clear representation of its terroir. This wine celebrates the creators' love for Semillon, offering a beguiling liquid testament to the couple's commitment to produce South African wines, unmatched in precision, purity, and nuance. |
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Western Cape | 23 | 91 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€150.85 |
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Vinous (91)The 2017 Wanderer’s Heart is a multiregional blend of Rhône varieties driven by the Grenache, matured in used oak with higher proportion of whole clusters on the Grenache. It has a floral, pure bouquet that features light scents of broom, fennel and white pepper. The palate is well balanced with gentle grip in the mouth, nice structure (perhaps more so than expected) and a precise, lightly spiced finish where the Mourvèdre imparts a subtle medicinal note. Excellent. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€275.58 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Reviewed alongside the 2018 release as they are both on the market, this is Semillon dominated with 40% Sauvignon Blanc. Barrel-aged in one-third new oak, it has flinty, struck match aromas, stylish wood spice, notes of lanolin and grapefruit and a pithy, refreshing finish. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 18 (JR) |
Inc. TAX
€195.34 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)Tasted blind. Blackcurrant pastilles on the really interesting, sophisticated nose. Some savoury inkiness and lots of pleasure. Firm and confident and set for the long term. Lots there with tannin evident only on the end for future development. Long. This is the first wine that reminds me of ambitious bordeaux … luscious – a sort of right-bank style. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | - |
Inc. TAX
€607.72 |
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The Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage 2017 is an exemplification of sublime craftsmanship from the verdurous commercial vineyards of the Voor-Paardeberg mountains in South Africa's Paarl Wine Route. Produced by Vondeling Wines, renowned for their relentless devotion to ecological farming, this Pinotage is an intoxicating blend of 85% Pinotage, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Grenache Noir from their sustainably managed 10-year-old vines. The grapes underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, culminating into a well-rounded texture. The Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage 2017 presents a regal burgundy hue with a captivating bouquet of cherries, plums and succulent ripe fruit, augmented by whimsical hints of oak, vanilla and spice. On the palate, it unfurls with a certain finesse, delivering an elegant fusion of berries, dark chocolate and soft tannins. This wine gracefully unravels all the harmonious complexities of a mature Pinotage, making Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage 2017 a true magnum opus for every fine wine enthusiast. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€359.39 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Often among my favourite Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignons, this textbook Helderberg red was blended with 3% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc in 2017. Scented, refined and effortlessly dense and complex, with aromatic 30% new wood, mocha, cedarwood and cassis flavours and a long, balanced, herbal finish. 2022-29 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€531.83 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)You can almost count the good producers of Sangiovese outside Italy on the fingers of one hand, so well done Waterford for the impressive first release of this blend with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Herbal and spicy, it has aromas of pine and rosemary, succulent red berry fruit, classic Italian acidity and savoury tannins and stylish second and third use wood. 2021-27 |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
€207.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)This brilliant, barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc comes from the top part of the Willow Spring parcel and is the latest in a line of brilliant releases under this label. Saline, pithy and flinty with hints of nettle and elderflower, fine oak and a finish that goes on for ever. Drink 2019-2027. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
€205.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)One of the most beautiful and complex terroirs in South Africa supplies the grapes for this unique red, produced from a medley of Shiraz with 33% Mourvèdre, Touriga Nacional and the very rare (in South Africa) Tinta Amarella. Inky, savoury and wild, it has freshness and concentration, notes of rosemary and lavender, meaty depths and fine oak. 2023-30 |
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Cape South Coast | 4 | 93 (TA) |
In Bond
€306.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (93)More conventional than the Sijnn red, this is a three-way blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne that sees a little skin contact before fermentation. Honeysuckle, fresh herb and citrus flavours reminded me of the Rhône Valley. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cape South Coast | 2 | 93 (TA) |
In Bond
€161.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (93)More conventional than the Sijnn red, this is a three-way blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne that sees a little skin contact before fermentation. Honeysuckle, fresh herb and citrus flavours reminded me of the Rhône Valley. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cape South Coast | 2 | 95 (DC) |
In Bond
€241.00 |
|||||
Decanter (95)Hannes Storm makes three distinctive and very different Pinot Noirs from estate-grown fruit in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus. The Vrede Pinot comes from an elevated vineyard site on shale soils and is very Burgundian in style but with a new world flair. Lush red fruit dominates the nose and palate with cherries and violets dominating before a lick of oak leads to more tertiary characters of soil and tomato leaf. Long and delicious. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 3 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
€124.00 |
|||||
Vinous (92)The 2017 Cat’s Cradle is John Seccombe’s new Chenin Blanc from a vineyard shared with Chris Alheit and Memento. It has quite a rich bouquet of honey, light yellow plum and a slight petrolly tincture. The palate is well balanced with a lovely waxy texture countered by a fine bead of acidity and a pithy finish that is beautifully defined. Excellent. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 90 (VN) |
In Bond
€107.00 |
|||||
Vinous (90)The 2017 Man In The Moon comes from a block of Clairette Blanche that is shared with Craven, the vines 30 years old, and matured in used oak. It has a refulgent straw color with fat tears. The generous bouquet features yellow plum, nectarine, candle wax and light vervain tea aromas. The palate is quite phenolic on the entry, well balanced with a waxy texture and resinous in style; ginger and light pepper notes emerge toward the finish. More tactile than overt in fruit, this is a left-field wine from John Seccombe, one I feel is well made and fascinating. |
|||||||||
|
|
Western Cape | 3 | - |
In Bond
€130.00 |
|||||
|
In the realm of South African wines, the Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite Semillon 2017 is remarkable. Produced in the highly-regarded Swartland region, this wine is crafted by John and Tasha Seccombe, bolstering a reputation for subtlety and sophistication. A limited production is achieved annually, resulting from rigorous hand-picking from venerable, dry-farmed bush vines. The Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite Semillon 2017 boasts a captivating nose of lemon cream, white flowers, and chamomile. The palate reveals underlying power with intriguing notes of beeswax, green apple, and freestone sprinkled with sea salt. Equipped with a vibrant acidity, it assures a long, resonant finish. The wine undergoes natural fermentation in old French oak, followed by 10 months of maturation featuring regular lees stirring. This process refined its texture, offering a layered, caressing mouthfeel. An Old World-style Semillon principally tailored for the contemporary palate, the Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite Semillon 2017 is undeniably a refined liquid delicacy. |
|||||||||
|
|
Western Cape | 29 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€169.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2017 Rocking Horse is a blend of five grape varieties that was matured in used oak. It has a knockout bouquet of well-defined citrus peel, orange blossom, nutmeg and light peppery scents. The palate is well balanced, with a fine bead of acidity and quite saline in the mouth, and displays lovely viscosity toward a finish that feels full of tension. In a word: rocking. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 2 | - |
In Bond
€124.00 |
|||||
|
Experience the exquisite craftsmanship of Thorne & Daughters Semillon Tin Soldier 2017. This majestic South African vintage is produced from venerable old bush vines in the Franschhoek Valley. Expertly crafted by winemaking duo John and Tasha Seccombe, it exudes an expression of fruit purity without parallel. Handpicked grapes, gentle basket pressing, and oak fermentation contribute to its distinctive profile. Bright straw in colour, the wine's bouquet is ripe with star-fruit and fennel notes, while the palate enchants with a brilliant interplay of concentrated citrus, waxy apple textures, and salivating acidity. Thorne & Daughters Semillon Tin Soldier 2017 sets itself apart in its elegance, complexity, and a clear representation of its terroir. This wine celebrates the creators' love for Semillon, offering a beguiling liquid testament to the couple's commitment to produce South African wines, unmatched in precision, purity, and nuance. |
|||||||||
|
|
Western Cape | 23 | 91 (VN) |
In Bond
€107.00 |
|||||
Vinous (91)The 2017 Wanderer’s Heart is a multiregional blend of Rhône varieties driven by the Grenache, matured in used oak with higher proportion of whole clusters on the Grenache. It has a floral, pure bouquet that features light scents of broom, fennel and white pepper. The palate is well balanced with gentle grip in the mouth, nice structure (perhaps more so than expected) and a precise, lightly spiced finish where the Mourvèdre imparts a subtle medicinal note. Excellent. |
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|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€211.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Reviewed alongside the 2018 release as they are both on the market, this is Semillon dominated with 40% Sauvignon Blanc. Barrel-aged in one-third new oak, it has flinty, struck match aromas, stylish wood spice, notes of lanolin and grapefruit and a pithy, refreshing finish. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 18 (JR) |
In Bond
€144.00 |
|||||
Jancis Robinson (18)Tasted blind. Blackcurrant pastilles on the really interesting, sophisticated nose. Some savoury inkiness and lots of pleasure. Firm and confident and set for the long term. Lots there with tannin evident only on the end for future development. Long. This is the first wine that reminds me of ambitious bordeaux … luscious – a sort of right-bank style. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 2 | - |
In Bond
€484.00 |
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|
The Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage 2017 is an exemplification of sublime craftsmanship from the verdurous commercial vineyards of the Voor-Paardeberg mountains in South Africa's Paarl Wine Route. Produced by Vondeling Wines, renowned for their relentless devotion to ecological farming, this Pinotage is an intoxicating blend of 85% Pinotage, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Grenache Noir from their sustainably managed 10-year-old vines. The grapes underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, culminating into a well-rounded texture. The Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage 2017 presents a regal burgundy hue with a captivating bouquet of cherries, plums and succulent ripe fruit, augmented by whimsical hints of oak, vanilla and spice. On the palate, it unfurls with a certain finesse, delivering an elegant fusion of berries, dark chocolate and soft tannins. This wine gracefully unravels all the harmonious complexities of a mature Pinotage, making Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage 2017 a true magnum opus for every fine wine enthusiast. |
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|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
€281.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Often among my favourite Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignons, this textbook Helderberg red was blended with 3% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc in 2017. Scented, refined and effortlessly dense and complex, with aromatic 30% new wood, mocha, cedarwood and cassis flavours and a long, balanced, herbal finish. 2022-29 |
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|
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
€421.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)You can almost count the good producers of Sangiovese outside Italy on the fingers of one hand, so well done Waterford for the impressive first release of this blend with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Herbal and spicy, it has aromas of pine and rosemary, succulent red berry fruit, classic Italian acidity and savoury tannins and stylish second and third use wood. 2021-27 |
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