Creation Estate Pinot Noir 2023, Cape South Coast

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Region: South Africa: Walker Bay - Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge

Tasting Notes: Deep ruby in colour, red berry aromas, elegant vanilla, and a whiff of wood spice. These follow through on the full-bodied palate where soft, supple tannins contribute to the dense structure featuring the refined flavours of raspberry and the earthiness of mushroom.

Kevin & Hanli Grant Ataraxia Pinot Noir 2020, Hemel-en-Aarde, Walker Bay

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Region: South Africa: Walker Bay - Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge

Tasting Notes: A compellingly seductive bouquet offers up a fine blend of aromas of red cherries, pomegranate, delicate forest floor, and a hint of spice and new oak. On the palate, the wine is sensual and embracing, with a captivating mid-palate depth, lovely transparency, and excellent focus on the suavely tannic finish. Ripe, sweet fruit like cherry and pomegranate are the predominant tastes.

Raats Family Wines Cabernet Franc 2020, Stellenbosch

Grapes: Cabernet Franc

Region: South Africa: Stellenbosch

Tasting Notes:  Layers of dark cherry, boysenberry, dried violet petals, and subtle earthy tones on the nose. Flavours of blackberry, black cherry, plum, tobacco, cinnamon, and hints of dark chocolate and minerality. Medium to full-bodied with soft, gentle, and elegant tannins. Long and elegant finish, with persistent spice and fruit notes.

Mullineux Signature Syrah 2020, Swartland FIX VINTAGE 2022

Grapes: Syrah (Shiraz)

Regions: South Africa: Swartland

Tasting Notes: Very expressive and floral, with both fresh and dried violets, black currant, ripe black cherry, blood orange, a hint of dry clay, and green and black peppercorns.  Very smooth tannins and a restrained mineral finish.

Damascene Vineyards Syrah 2023, Swartland

Grapes: Syrah (Shiraz)

Region: South Africa: Swartland 

Tasting Notes: The purity, perfume, and spice of granite-grown fruit is complemented by the more earthy tones of grapes harvested from shale and schist outcrops, imbuing the wine with structure and depth. The moodiest of the Damascene Syrah trio, the Swartland expression opens with impressive aromatic depth, showing wild blackberries, aniseed, mulberries, and savoury Kalamata olive tapenade. The weighty palate keeps pace with the vanguard, possessing the power to support vivid ripe blackberry and black plum fruit, underpinned by tightly-wound, firm black cherry skin tannins. The muscled fruit core is garnished with star anise, Sichuan pepper, and accents of clove, along with subtle touches of red peppercorn on the plum-laden finish.

AA Badenhorst Kalmoesfontein Red 2021, Coastal region

Grapes: Syrah 58%, Cinsault 14%, Mouvèdre 9%, Grenache 5%, 14% other varietals

Region: South Africa: Swartland

Tasting Notes: The palate entry is quite dense with lavender and dark berry fruit. The finish is dry with well-spread tannins ending with savoury and black currant flavours.

Anthonij Rupert Optima 2020, Franschhoek

Grapes: Merlot 34%, Cabernet Sauvignon 32%, Cabernet Franc 30%, Petit Verdot 4%

Region: South Africa: Franschhoek

Tasting Notes: Broad, fleshy, and succulent, with spice-infused cedar and rich dark fruitcake flavors.

Meerlust Rubicon 2021, Stellenbosch

Grapes: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Region: South Africa: Stellenbosch

Tasting Notes: Quintessential Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedar wood, fennel, and intense spiciness. Typical liquorice notes are also evident on the nose. The palate is full-bodied, structured but packed with fresh dark fruit, rounded tannins and seamlessly integrated oak.

Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Stellenbosch  

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: South Africa: Stellenbosch

Tasting Notes: A deep, youthful garnet color with aromas of dark and red fruits, including blueberry and blackcurrant, complemented by characteristic notes of oyster shell, kelp, and graphite. The structured palate is packed with ripe fruit and elegant tannins, showing flavors of dark chocolate and salted licorice on the lingering finish. This full-bodied yet elegant wine is classic in style and pairs well with robust, hearty fare such as grilled meats, stews, or mature cheeses.

Hartenberg Family Vineyards The Mackenzie 2017/2020, Stellenbosch 

Grapes:

2017 - 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot

2020 - 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc

Region: South Africa: Stellenbosch

Tasting Notes: 

2017 - Vibrant red fruit aromatics on the nose with touches of tobacco and cassis. On the palate, this wine is elegant, plush, and velvety with a medium to full body.  It carries flavors of plums and cherries, and some notes of earthy undertones.

2020 - Aromas of forest floor intertwine with luscious red and black fruits, accented by subtle leather and hints of cigar box and smoke. On the palate, a beguiling silkiness is met with firm tannins, framing flavours of black cherries, dark plums, cedar, and leather.

Waterford Estate The Jem 2016, Helderberg Mountain, Stellenbosch

Grapes: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon,  22% Shiraz, 8% Cabernet Franc, 7%  Mourvèdre, 6% Petite Verdot, 4% Merlot, 3% Barbera, 2% Sangiovese

Region: South Africa: Stellenbosch - Helderberg Mountain

Tasting Notes: Aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, dried herbs, cola, and mixed spices on the nose following through to a medium to full body with plush tannins. Rich and creamy with loads of black and red berry, spice and mineral flavour, and a mellow, cola-like finish.