South Africa

Brambly blackcurrant leaf and cassis vie with a heady violet perfume for prominence on the bouquet. The palate is effortlessly sleek and suave with understated elegance being the watchword. Perfectly ripe fruitcake flavour can be found, along with cassis and brambles, cedar spice and delicious subtle succulence contributing to the warm, comforting texture. Harmony of fruit and wood is superb. Layered, textured, complex and refined, it lingers long on the palate. Undoubtedly a wine for the ages, which will mature with distinction. #NEWSA

Crafted from old bush vines planted in the 1950’s and 1960’s which are grown without irrigation on various types of granite soil. The vineyards are planted on varying facing slopes bringing tremendous variety to the fruit. Fruit from other selected sites within the appellation are also purchased to complete the final blends. The fruit is fermented 100% whole bunch in large concrete tanks and wooden vats, with post ferment maceration continuing for up to 4 months. Maturation takes place in a mixture of barrels and large, neutral foudres. Inspired by the history of the old, long forgotten Cape Blends that were around before the...

Only 800 bottles produced. This is the rarest of wines from the Badenhorst family. From vines planted in the 1960s. It is perfumed, delicate and light on its feet at 12% alcohol. Decant for a half hour before serving. Can be served chilled. #NEWSA

This is the 9th vintage of Secateurs Red blend bottled under the Badenhorst Family Wines.TheheftyCinsault component will ensure excellent ageing andenough suppleness for drinking young. The aromas are perfumed, peppery, spicy and exhibit ripe red fruit notes. As always, the palate texture of this style of wine is supple, smooth on the entry but with enough grip and freshness to finish dry and refreshing. In the mouth, the texture and fineness of fruit tannin and drinkability of the wine is immediately evident. Blend: 54% Cinsault, 23% Grenache, 23% Shiraz. Cinsault, Grenache and Shiraz. Aged in foudre and concrete tanks. Perfumed, peppery,...

Tim Atkin 93 points. Intense blackberry, bramble, and lavender aromas with gentle nuances of potting soil and cured meat dominate a dark and brooding nose. The abundance of perfume and the earthy character of the nose follows through generously onto a powerful palate, with a lush compote of blueberries, ripe plums, black currants & cherries. Cacao-powdery tannins are abundant, adding texture and complexity to an almost savoury mid-palate, seamlessly complementing the vivid dark fruits, alcohol and acidity. This is a robust, structured wine, yet it is delicate, poised and elegant at the same time. Black fruits, cumin spice, white pepper,...

Buy 6 or more and pay 69sgd/bottle. Platter Guide Winery of the Year 2020. Platter 5 Stars. Tim Atkin MW 94 points. The grapes were sourced from four parcels adjacent to one another on a SW aspect in the Franschhoek Valley, where the soil is predominantly sandy loam over granitic bedrock. The aroma is elegant, filled with raspberry and cranberry fruit – all the beautiful nuances in the red spectrum. Elegance on palate, beautifully balanced with superb dryness and length. Mature until 2025. #UBIN

Buy 6 or more and pay 69sgd/bottle. Platter Guide Winery of the Year 2020. Tim Atkin MW 95 points. Platter 5 Stars. “The Franschoek Cab is jaw-droppingly elemental and granite soaked. I am completely flabbergasted. Make a disorderly queue now!’ Matthew Jukes.

Buy 6 or more and pay 69sgd/bottle. Platter Guide Winery of the Year 2020. Platter 4.5 Stars Tim Atkin MW 94 points. SA WineMag 95 points. Grapes from four Helderberg vineyards. Includes some 6% Cabernet Franc. Matured for 18 months in French oak, 60% new. The nose shows red and black fruit, an attractive herbal note plus hints of vanilla and spice. The palate shows great focus – pure fruit, fresh acidity and firm but fine tannins. Wonderfully long and dry on the finish, this is really elegant.' – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100 'Boekenhoutskloof's Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon is always a little firmer and...

Buy 6 or more and pay 69sgd/bottle. Platter Guide Winery of the Year 2020. Platter 5 Stars Tim Atkin MW 96 points. Singularly composed of grapes grown on the slopes of the Helderberg mountains, Boekenhoutskloof’s Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon stands as a paragon of rich South African red wine. The exquisitely small grapes yielded in 2018 enrich this Cabernet with robust fruit flavours of blackberry, cassis, and stewed plum, overlaid with herbaceous shades of black tea and bay leaf. Sourced from the unique soil types of Stellenbosch’s alpine terrains, this blend bears bold mineral depths and a full-bodied charcoal finish. As the...

Buy 6 or more and pay 69sgd/bottle. Platter Guide Winery of the Year 2020. Tim Atkin MW 96 points. Grapes grown on their Porseleinberg and Goldmine properties – their first vintage claiming Wine of Origin Swartland. 100% Syrah, matured for 18m in 2500L foudres and 600L demi-muids. Deep ruby red colour. Aroma deep and plush, with a blue-black profile – black cherries and earth being the essence of the fruit core. Full fruit with perfect balance, acidity and length. Very young still – mature until 2023+. #CAB

Buy 6 or more and pay 69sgd/bottle. Platter Guide Winery of the Year 2020. Tim Atkin MW 97 points. Given that 80% of Boekenhoutskloof’s Syrah now hails from Porseleinberg (the remainder is from Goldmine), it’s no surprise that this is such an impressive wine. Fermented with 40% whole bunches, it’s subtle, scented and almost delicate, with filigree tannins, rose petal top notes, some clove and nutmeg spice and a hint of oak. Drink 2022-30. 97 Points, (Tim Atkin MW)

Tim Atkin 93 points. A classic Hannibal vintage, sporting cherry and plum compote aromas, a saline edge and clean leather adding depth of flavour. The entry is subtle, offering rounded yet notable tannins, building towards the finish and interspersed with bright freshness. A blend of 39% Sangiovese, 18% Pinot Noir, 18% Shiraz, 15% Nebbiolo, 5% Mourvédre and 5% Barbera.

Tasting Notes This wine is very expressive and complex on the nose with flavours of red berries, black cherries, vanilla, butterscotch, red plums, coffee and nuances of strawberries. On the palate the flavours follow through with good structure and silky tannins. A really balanced wine with elegance and a lengthy aftertaste.

Tim Atkin MW 94 points. Neil Martin, Vinous Media, 93 points: "The 2019 Elpidios presents a beautifully defined nose of Bing cherry, boysenberry and raspberry preserve, touches of sous-bois and Provençal herbs developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied, with the Grenache firmly in the driving seat (38% of the blend), delivering touches of clove and white pepper and a persistent, caressing, fleshy finish that lingers. Excellent.' (93 points) NM. 38% Grenache Noir, 36% Syrah, 10% Pinotage, 9% Carignan and 7% Cinsaut – an unusual blend with unusual aromatics and flavours. An exotic mélange of red and black...

Tim Atkin MW 93 points. The 2018 Pinotage from David & Nadia is a beautiful red, from the Siebritskloof valley of the Swartland's famed Paardeburg mountain. Delicate on the nose, with herb infused notes of dark berries and a hint of cassis, the palate is lifted and energetic, with chalky tannins, and a floral perfume. The finish is long and saline: this is a delicious red, at just 12.5% abv. #NEWSA

#NEWSA

Tim Atkin MW 92 points. 4 stars Platter. Spice and mulled red fruit are present on a bright and elegant nose. The wine shows purity of fruit and a lovely depth of aroma. The palate is soft and appealing, yet with enough structure to provide a firm yet silky finish.

91 points Tim Atkin MW South Africa Report 2020. Deep, purple core. Rich, berry fruit aromas with lots of ripe, red plum and whiffs of white pepper. Some floral notes in the background, including violets, lavender, and spring blossoms. The palate displays dark fruit flavours, revealing white pepper, cinnamon, clove and vanilla spice. Gentle oak integration bodes well for a long and graceful bottle maturation of this wine. Winemaker: Carl van der Merwe Varietal blend: 100% Syrah Appellation: Stellenbosch.

Tim Atkin MW 95 points, South Africa Report 2020. Gold Medal and 95 points, IWC 2020. Winery Note: Deep, purple core. Rich, berry fruit nose with lots of ripe, red plum and whiffs of white pepper. Some floral notes in the background, including violets, lavender, and spring blossoms. Full in the mouth with tremendous youthful vigour. Layers of berry fruit with developing spices of pepper, cinnamon, clove and vanilla. Gentle oak integration shows and supports the elegance and roundness at this early age.

Tim Atkin MW 93 points. 4 stars Platter. This wine has notes of red and black berry fruit, white pepper and spice. The palate is finely structured, showing an array of ripe fruit and floral undertones, with a lingering aftertaste. Winemaker: Carl van der Merwe Varietal blend: 44% Grenache Noir 29% Mourvédre 21% Syrah 6% Petite Syrah

96 Points Winemag Bordeaux Blend Report 2021. Best Bordeaux Blend & Best Red Overall Winemag 2021. This wine has notes of cassis with rich, red fruit, dried herbs, perfume and plums on the nose. The palate is soft and silky with integrated flavours of cigar box and black fruit. Winemaker: Carl van der Merwe Varietal blend: 36% Merlot 35% Cabernet Sauvignon 14% Cabernet Franc 10% Petit Verdot 5% Malbec Appellation: Stellenbosch.

From the oldest vineyards on the Estate, the Delaire Graff Banghoek Reserve Merlot is a raconteur weaving the tale of the property’s humble beginnings. Expressions of the site’s splendour, with its rich earthiness and bountiful fruit, are interwoven as flavours of warm spice are enriched with dark plum. Matured in 80% new French oak for 16 months, its serene beauty is personified by silky tannins yielding a luxurious elegance. Single vineyard wine.

Tim Atkin 94 points. "From premium Stellenbosch vineyards, the Delaire Graff Botmaskop is a meticulously handcrafted blend of noble red varietals. Whole berry fermented to ensure gentle extraction of flavours and matured in 50% new French oak for 16 months, the Botmaksop is a classically styled blend. Powerful, yet elegant and polished, it displays aromas of dark berry fruit, spice and cassis. The softness of tannins and balance in structure complete this wine on the palate." Platter 4.5 stars. From premium Stellenbosch vineyards, the Delaire Graff Botmaskop is a meticulously handcrafted blend of noble red varietals. Whole berry...

Platter 4.5 Stars. Double Gold Medal Veritas 2020. Trophy, KWV Best Fortified 2021. 44% Tinta Barocca and 56% Touriga Nacional VINIFICATION Directly after picking, the grapes were cooled to 5°C, crushed and cold-soaked for five days. Thereafter, the grapes underwent a cycle of gentle punch downs six times per day and were then fortified with a combination of wine and un-aged brandy spirits when the desired sugar levels were reached. The wine was matured in 20-year old oak barrels for 12 months and was released only after a further 12 months of bottle maturation. TASTING NOTES Uplifting and beautifully weighted. Polished red berry fruit...

This juicy, ripe and approachable Shiraz with its ruby colour and purple tints has a spicy white pepper undertone as well as lavender and dark red fruit aromas of mulberries. It is characterised by versatility, demonstrating a smooth and soft palate with a savoury finish.

Platter 5 Stars. Cape classic released a year later than Paul Sauer, needing time to show its best. Dark & brooding 2016 has aristocratically austere edge to its cassis & cigarbox notes & full-flavoured generosity. Absorbs 50% new oak easily; big tannins not formidable even in youth.' – Platter's Guide, 5* (95/100) 'On opening, this 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon was initially surprisingly taut, tight and broody with reductive aromatics of oyster shell, salty creme de cassis, black currant leaf, black chai tea, iodine and maritime salinity. But as I’ve discovered repeatedly over the past 12 months, the hot dry...

AWARDS / RATINGS Christian Eedes: 97 points Oz Clarke: 95 points Platter’s Guide – 5* / 95 points. Tim Atkin 95 points. ‘Even more, respect, if that’s possible, for Stellenbosch property Kanonkop after tasting the new releases… the Cab 2017 setting a new benchmark for what can be achieved with this variety locally.’ – Christian Eedes, 97/100 The Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is dark and brooding, with intricate aromas of oak spice, black berry coulis, graphite powder, tilled earth, wet tobacco and chai tea. The palate is luxurious and utterly elegant, with layered flavours of blackcurrants,...

Very deep, youthful colour, and vibrant red hue. The nose shows dark and red fruit mixed with a slight dried herb note. Still young and intense, the palate is structured and packed with fresh red cherries and wonderfully elegant tannins. This is a vintage that is more approachable in youth because of the ripeness and richness levels attained in 2018 but will provide great complexity with further maturation.

The Meerlust Merlot 2017 is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc for structure and acidity and 5% Petit Verdot. WINERY NOTE: The dark fruit and opulence of the wine is immediately apparent. We have been refining the viticulture to produce more balanced, flavourful fruit. Intense dark brambly fruit on the nose, mulberry, liquorice and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice, tempered by a stony minerality. The medium-full bodied palate offers generous, ripe, pure Merlot fruit with refreshing acidity, structured yet silky tannins and pronounced length and minerality. There is a core of juiciness, opulence and richness typical...

Tim Atkin MW 94 points. Intense, vivid opaque youthful purple-ruby appearance. The wine shows pronounced lifted floral perfume on the nose with a brooding and seductive dark berry fruit, musk, wild mushrooms and hints of iron, savoury richness and spice and an intense vibrant minerality. On the palate there are very pure Pinot fruit flavours on entry with red cherry and musk flavours coupled with fresh acidity. The wine has layered complexity with great elegance and finesse. Very fine lacy, almost powdery tannin on the finish.

Tim Atkin 92 points. WINERY NOTES: The wine has an intense, dark purple colour with a violet rim. Bright and vivacious in the glass, very youthful. The nose is expressive with powerful cassis, plum, exotic spice and hints of floral aromas. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with intense flavours of crushed black fruit, cassis, vanilla and dark chocolate. The tannins are very soft and silky with fresh acidity and a focused, linear flavour profile. The wine has a persistent and long lasting aftertaste. Weather vagaries and Meerlust’s exacting quality requirements determine that not every vintage is worthy of our flagship red blend...

'Back where it belongs among the elite wine brands of South Africa, the 2018 Rubicon is a worthy successor to the stellar 2017 release. Featuring Cabernet Sauvignon with 33% Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this is an elegant, polished, refined wine from a hot, dry vintage that illustrates the benefit of a cooler site. Floral, balanced and poised. 2025-32' – Tim Atkin, MW, South African Special Report 2022, 95/100. 'Renowned Bordeaux flagship cab-based, 67% in 2018 with merlot, cab franc, petit verdot partners. Enticing perfumed layers, elegantly concentrated plush, ripe fruit hint at future complexity; still...

Tim Atkin MW 93 points. This wine has a lovely luminosity – the colour is bright crimson. The nose has delicate earthy aromas combined with red and dark berry flavours which follow through to the palate where they combine with interesting savoury notes and just a touch of oak on the finish. #SAFA

Decanter 91 points. Tasting notes: 'Acquired by famed Springbok rugby player Jannie Engelbrecht in 1977, this Stellenbosch property is today run by his son Jean. The nose shows plenty of berry fruit plus some oak spice, while the palate is plush with good depth of fruit and chewy tannins. Drinking Window 2020 - 2026.' – Decanter, 91/100 About Rust en Vrede: Rust en Vrede was established in 1694 but since 1977 has followed a ‘red wine only’ approach, focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. This approach has allowed them to fine tune their vineyards while keeping things simple and focused. Coenie Snyman,...

The John X Merriman is Rustenberg’s Estate wine, a blend of Bordeaux varietals that illustrate the ageability and true expression of Rustenberg’s finest vineyards. The John X Merriman is a powerful wine that rewards aging. In its youth the wine is worth decanting and expresses cassis, black currant and dark fruits complemented with cigar tobacco and sour cherry notes. As the wine ages and its fine grained tannins soften a softer more savoury palate develops revealing wonderful drinkability and tertiary complexity.

Malbec has found a welcoming home in Stellenbosch, flourishing along with the other Bordeaux red varietals that the region is renowned for. The variety is best known in Stellenbosch for producing very expressive wines that are more approachable in their youth than Cabernet and Merlot, medium-bodied with fine tannins and a generous mid-palate. Another new addition to our Regional Range, the Rustenberg Stellenbosch Malbec is a great wine to enjoy on its own or with a wide variety of roasted meats, Italian fare or mushroom based dishes. As with all of Rustenberg’s red wines, decanting before serving is recommended.

Rich aromas of blackberries, cassis, eucalyptus and dark chocolate follow through to a smooth palate that is both balanced and well-rounded with fine grained tannins.

The Peter Barlow, derives it’s name from the man who bought the property and lovingly restored it to become a South African icon in the wine industry. Being made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the oldest vineyard on the estate, the Peter Barlow is a rich, robust varietal example of the exceptional quality and ageability of Cabernet made on the Estate and in the Simonsberg region. A highly collected wine which will age gracefully under the correct cellaring conditions.

Tim Atkin MW 95 points. An impressive follow up to the brilliant 2017, this pure Simonsberg Cabernet Sauvignon is enjoying a rich run of form. Inky, concentrated and profound, with cedar-wood and graphite aromas, impressive structure, fine-grained tannins and fleshy plum and dark berry fruit. 2023-30. Rustenberg’s single vineyard Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship red of their impressive range. A powerful, long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon that is given the best possible treatment in the cellar – certainly one of South Africa’s most impressive reds. The 2017 vintage displays concentrated cassis, black cherries and...

Rustenberg is known to be one of South Africa’s top producers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends and varietals. The Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon shows typical Cabernet Sauvignon flavour and aroma profiles of dark berries and tobacco with a well-structured and lengthy palate. Murray Barlow is one of South Africa's most exciting young winemakers and has won Diners Club's Young Winemaker of the Year title an unrivalled twice. He's shown why once again in this well-structured Cabernet.

"In the 1920s Cinsault was the most-planted black grape in South Africa. However, as one of the fickler varieties to work with and to vinify, it suffered a fall from grace post-WWII. It’s only very recently that (with growers such as Eben Sadie and Chris Alheit leading the charge) the ‘Pinot Noir of Swartland’ has been reborn, and the results are revelatory. This is a variety that is now being planted more and more by some top growers in the south of France— wines like this show you why." - Importer Notes “It has an open and expressive nose with wild strawberry and raspberry scents, light slatey aromas...

Tim Atkin MW 95 points. The Sadie Family Treinspoor comes from Tinto Barocca vines aged over 45 years old planted in decomposed granite and sandstone soils along the old railway line, which is where the name Treinspoor comes from. These are old vines where the leafy foliage protects the clusters from the intense Swartland sun. Ecological agriculture is used and the harvest is carried out manually when the grapes reach optimum ripeness. Once The Sadie Family Treinspoor grapes reach the winery, they macerate and ferment spontaneously with native yeasts. Then the wine ages for 12 months in French oak barrels and 3 months in tanks. When it is...

"Overall Red Wine of the Year. 'With 100 points, you can only go down,' Eben Sadie laughed as we tasted this wine. The 2020 is just a whisper short of the perfection of the 2019 release, but it's still a stunning red and has beaten all comers in this year's report. A seamless blend that combines five soil types and 11 vineyards, it's Syrah-based with 60% Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Tinta Barocca, Carignan, Cinsault and Alicante Bouschet. What grace, texture, focus and persistence. This has fibre, sinew and muscularity, nuanced 10% new oak and plum, blackberry, damson and wild strawberry fruit. Sublime...

This is the fourth vintage of this wine after re-planting. Our idea has always been to make what is basically a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from this unique vineyard. It is not a true single-vineyard in that we have blended in barrel selections of the best of our other vineyards. The Cabernet has a very intense cassis aroma with unique citrus-rind notes. It has a firmer tannin structure than many of our wines, but still with the elegance for which Jonkershoek Valley wines are known. This wine is based around the highest elevation vineyard on the estate, which at 550m is arguably one of Stellenbosch’s highest Cabernet vineyards....

Platter 4.5 stars. WINEMAKER’S NOTES WINEMAKER: CRAIG MCNAUGHT The name pays homage to the Roman poet, Ovid, who is quoted on the front label of this wine: “Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it there will be a fish.” Despite a really tough vintage in 2018, this wine shines through. Always an early ripener, our Tempranillo was harvested in the first week in February, just before the searing heat we experienced later on that Summer. As has become protocol with this wine, we meticulously hand-picked, hand-sorted and destemmed each bunch before a 6 day pre-ferment cold...

(94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot) Oz Clarke: 95 points "..the style is gloriously easy-going yet quite serious enough to be inspiring. The wine flows across your palate, full of red plum and cherry fruit and savoury seasoning of herbs, black olives and salted liquorice. It's led by acid rather than tannin and even hints at a little spice and violet scent." ref: Cambridge Wine Merchants #UBIN