Cape Agulhas, Cape South Coast
Imbuko Wines
Releaf Swartland Chenin Blanc 2020
Star bright straw gold. Inviting nose of yellow apples and straw. Echoed on the medium light palate with citrus rind and bright, cleansing acidity. Perfect cook-out/picnic white that will gussy up your fried chicken or tuna salad sandwiches. And the QPR is through the roof. Drink now. — 7 days ago
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay 2019
The 2019 Chardonnay is whole-bunch-pressed and 93% barrel-fermented with 27% new oak. It has a clean, crisp bouquet of citrus fruit infused with smoke and hazelnut aromas, quite understated in style. The palate is well balanced, taut and linear, displaying fine acidity and gaining depth toward the persistent, saline finish. This is a superb Chardonnay from Hamilton Russell. Excellent. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2021)
— 4 days ago
Catherine Marshall
Fermented in Clay Chenin Blanc
Vita blommor, mandel och päron. Mjuk smak med viss oljighet, vanilj, lite mineralitet och otroligt fin balans. Lång behaglig eftersmak och överlag väldigt god — 2 days ago
Boekenhoutskloof
The Wolftrap Rosé Blend 2019
Ok, but not a keeper for Kelly or me. A little spicy and almost has a buttery, Chardonnay feel to it. Got better w second glass. 2nd wine in the Langley Pool virtual wine tasting. — 2 days ago
Ridgeback
Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
2015 vintage. Holding back and initially a bit severe. Better the next day (decanting recommended) when it displayed Pauillac-like cassis and lead pencil. Black fruits, rather high acidity and good mineral length. I suspect this will benefit from further ageing. Abv. 14%. — 9 days ago
Western Cape Vineyards
Cape Red Blend
The barbecue bouquet was surprising. The wine had a fruitiness that laid nicely on the tongue. Very tasty. — 13 days ago
Kanonkop Estate
Simonsberg Stellenbosch Pinotage 2013
Pinotage is a grape everyone loves to hate, but I think it has parts to love. Kanonkop makes an ambitious, bold showy wine that swings big, has to nail it, and mostly does. To me, the Pinotage tell is a thing of smoking wet tar and milk chocolate coffee sludge. That's here. Follows with black pepper, bourbon spice and a curious banana note which I think may just be oak and smoke stacked sideways. Then follow the dark fruits. Blue plums and blackberries, and an underlying mineral saltiness. There's lots here and lots to love. — 9 days ago
Graham Beck
Méthode Cap Classique Brut Champagne Blend
Very delicate, clean - perfect for Summer days in the garden and better than most prosecco or champagne in my opinion. Exceptionally fizzy! Currently only £10 from Waitrose as at 05/04/21 — 8 days ago
De Toren
Fusion V Stellenbosch Red Blend 2017
The 2017 De Toren Fusion V, the Left Bank Bordeaux-based blend, 90% raised in 50% new French oak, is deep garnet in color. It has a well-defined blackberry, bilberry and soy-tinged nose, touches of pencil shaving coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, almost Médoc-like tannins, quite structured and more austere compared to older vintages that I have tasted, especially in the context of a ripe growing season. Noticeably bitter toward the finish. Personally, I would afford this a couple of years in the cellar just to shave the edges, but it is a commendable Stellenbosch Bordeaux blend, one that cohered nicely after two or three hours. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2021)
— 4 days ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2019 Pinot Noir is Walker Bay in terms of Wine of Origin rather than Hemel-en-Aarde, since much of their Pinot Noir was rejected after wildfires tainted the fruit. The majority of fruit was sourced from benevolent growers in the valley, and completely destemmed but not crushed, then matured in 24% new French oak. This has an open, quite herbal bouquet of vibrant red and black fruit, underlying sous-bois notes coming through with aeration. The well-balanced palate offers fine-grained tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Open and expressive, with a pinch of black pepper on the cohesive finish. Given the trauma suffered this vintage, this should be considered a success, not least because it still seems to bear the imprimatur of Hamilton Russell. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2021)
— 4 days ago