There 14 products in this category
80
685
34
Savage
Duncan Savage matriculated at Rondebosch Boys High School in 1995. In 2016. Savage Wines was set up in the heart of Cape Town in Salt River. Vineyards for his wines are leased and grapes sourced from around the Western Cape, maritime in nature where possible. Granitic soil is the focus. From Duncan Savage: Grapes sourced from the Langverwagt farm in Kuils River on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. Decomposed granite soils overlooking Table Bay and False Bay, a perfect home for maritime Stellenbosch Syrah. Three parcels of vines, all trellised but farmed as a sprawl canopy - a trellised bush vine of sorts. Soils are poor, vigour is low and grapes are scarce, all a perfect recipe for classically styled Syrah. All the fruit is sorted as whole bunches before spontaneous fermentation in conical foudre and open top fermenters. 30% of the fruit is fermented as submerged cap with regular aeration, the balance as a normal fermentation with 2-4 aerated pump overs per day. 2-3 weeks on skins is followed by basket pressing and aging in old 500L barrels for 13 months. The wine then spends a further 10 months in foudre prior to bottling. 2021 is a classic vintage. Obviously I’m slightly biased, but I do feel that this wine may be one of the best Savage Reds we have made to date. Plums, lavender, cola, violets and the characteristic Langverwagt white pepper. The palate is taught and focused compliments of the granitic soil tannin structure and a classic vintage. A wine that will drink well for the next 10-15 years
80
685
24
Tesselaarsdal
Berene Sauls has a very unique story. Growing up in a small village in the Overberg, Berene admits that she came from a beer-drinking community, and wine was never really on her radar. Her first exposure was at the age of 19, when she began working for the trailblazing Hamilton Russell family as an au pair. Lasting only a month, her talents at childcare aside, Anthony Hamilton Russell recognised her drive and thought a job working in the winery office would better suit her. Thrown in at the deep end knowing really nothing about wine, she was soon exposed to every side of the business - assisting with exports, bottling and labelling, driving forklifts and picking during harvest too, as well as on the side, "growing and developing a palate that wasn't there!" Her curiosity kept her rising through the ranks, and fifteen years after starting her career, Anthony offered her the opportunity to make her first wine, aided by proficient head winemaker Emul Ross. She leapt at the opportunity, and the rest is history. She named her business Tesselaarsdal for the small village that she grew up in, and if you look closely at the label, you can make out two people walking across the mountain. This is Berene and her grandmother. From unirrigated vineyards on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, and this is just her third release! Crisp acidity and lean minerality underpin notes of melon and tangerine fruit and accents of lime blossom. A triumphant expression of terroir, this medium-bodied, cool climate wine is both silky and fresh and boasts a long, elegant finish.
80
685
30
Kanonkop
One of the most legendary Stellenbosch wines. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot aged for 24 months in new French oak barrels, rather like a fine classed growth Claret. Complex, layered and intense aromas of cassis, plums, spiced oak and cigar boxon the nose. The palate is rich and supple, with seamless fruit / oak integration, delicate tannins and a fine seam of acidity. Layers and layers of plush fruit explodes in the mouth with concentrated flavours of tomato cocktail, black and red fruits, and stewed meat. A wine of immense purity, depth and freshness. A subtle note of mint on the finish completes a wine filled with detail.
80
685
90
Crystallum
The signature aromatics of wild strawberry, black cherry and sweet Indian spices are all in place as well as pomegranate, red plum and cocoa. A tense and structured palate speaks to the 60% whole bunches used in fermentation, with the tannins showing a pine-like freshness. With a generosity of fruit and a particularly upright focus this wine will age into 2035.
80
685
30
Lukas van Loggerenberg
100% Chenin Blanc from two parcels, 60% from a block in the Paardeberg (Swartland) and 40% from the Polkadraai hills of Stellenbosch. Both parcels are grown on Granite soils. The combination of these parcels brings together the best of both regions and makes an incredibly sophisticated wine that is also generous and meets all hopes and expectation. The Paardeberg portion is from a bush vine vineyard planted on decomposed granite giving the wine its elegance, finesse, and focus. The portion from the Polkadraai is planted on Granite and lends characteristics of yellow fruit and depth to the wine. In the cellar The parcels are vinified separately before being blended just before bottling. Grapes were destemmed, pressed, and left overnight to settle in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then racked to 3rd fill 500-liter French oak the next morning. The wine spent 10 months on its primary lees without any batonage before being blended and bottled. No commercial yeast or enzymes were used during the winemaking process. ANALYSIS: ALC 13% | TA 6.1g/L | pH 3.34
80
685
90
Crystallum
The signature aromatics of wild strawberry, black cherry and sweet Indian spices are all in place as well as pomegranate, red plum and cocoa. A tense and structured palate speaks to the 60% whole bunches used in fermentation, with the tannins showing a pine-like freshness. With a generosity of fruit and a particularly upright focus this wine will age into 2035. Once a location for a film based on the life of Napoleon, the 'Cuvée Cinema' vineyard produces intense, age worthy Pinot Noir from Dijon clones, with aromas of sour cherry, musk, forest floor and flint.
80
685
30
Meerlust
Very bright, polished platinum with green, vivacious hue. Complex, appealing nose with quince, citrus and floral notes developing into lemon cream, oatmeal and marzipan richness. On the palate the wine is full bodied and generous, but still balanced by crisp acidity. There is ripe tropical fruit and creaminess balanced by a pure minerality typical of the variety. The wine has a long, very pleasant lingering finish indicating the richness and persistence of the vintage.
80
685
30
Vilafonté
Named in honour of the ancient vilafonté soils that make up the estate at 1.5m years old, one of the oldest documented soil types in the world where the vines for this wine have been growing for almost two decades. A Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Just 330 barrels produced of this stunning wine. Layers of fresh plum, black cherry, baking spice and vanilla pod. Lovely mineral notes with a lingering finish. A line of acidity giving real tension to the whole wine.
80
685
90
Meerlust
Meerlust, one of the Cape's most historic wine estates, originally planted in 1693. In 1756, it was purchased by the first Myburgh and has been the pride of the family ever since. Today, after seven generations, Hannes Myburgh, the present owner, continue the great family tradition of wine making. This is a juicy, opulent and rich wine that is a perfect example of the variety.
80
685
90
Iona
10% off selected wines.
Cool climate freshness and fragrant sweet, ripe cherry and blackberry flavours, with firm, ripe tannins. Blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Mouvedre, Viognier. Drinking well now and suitable for cellaring for at least 10 years.
80
685
90
Meerlust
Big heady scent of dark fruit, leather and tobacco. Much more medium bodied compared to some of the recent vintages with good acidity and balance. Length is good with dry tannins, many years of life over which this will be enjoyed Meerlust's gorgeous iconic Bordeaux blend - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot.
80
685
90
Crystallum
A wonderfully complex barrel-fermented Chardonnay from different vineyards inland from the coastal town of Hermanus. It boasts aromas of white peach, papaya, jasmine and hints of lemongrass. A complex, balanced vintage that reflects the distinctness of its five fruit. White peach, litchi and green apple on the nose with lime zest, butterscotch and a gunflint and smoke on the palate. Restrained oaking and crisp acidity providing leanness and edge to support the primary fruit.
80
685
24
Storm Wines
Husband and wife team (their name is Storm!) farming two small parcels with exceptional soils in the superb "Heaven on Earth" region. Expressive, admirable, lovable Pinot and Chardonnay from probably South Africa's most exciting wine region and a world-class winery. Small production, rare wines, worth cellaring. All the expert reviews are positive, this really is a top notch, world-class estate on epic form. jancisrobinson.com 17.5/20 In 2021 they produced around 1,125 litres. In 2022 it was about 4,650 litres. Nature gave back. Eight months in French oak, 30% new. Spontaneous fermentation. I love the nose on this – it's so vivid and mouth-watering. Dried apricots. Peaches, peach skin, quince. So much texture! Like ruched silk. So many layers. Dusty, intense, yuzu and fragrant. It reminds me, somehow, of an apple orchard – the freshness, the sweetness, light and unshowy beauty. (TC) Parker 94+ With a fresh and mineral-driven nose, the 2022 Vrede Chardonnay opens with gorgeous lemon pastry cream essences, oak spices and hints of yellow apples and Meyer lemon. Medium-bodied, the wine expands on the palate with surprising weight and freshness that remains constant as it uncoils and opens with elegance and finesse that has me coming back for more. Lingering with succulently sweet citrus and yellow apple tones, this beautiful Chardonnay ends with a spicy, food-friendly finish. Chardonnay lovers, you'll want to add this to your cellar.
80
685
24
Storm Wines
Husband and wife team (their name is Storm!) farming two small parcels with exceptional soils in the superb "Heaven on Earth" region. Expressive, admirable, lovable Pinot and Chardonnay from probably South Africa's most exciting wine region and a world-class winery. Small production, rare wines, worth cellaring. All the expert reviews are positive, this really is a top notch, world-class estate on epic form. Parker 94+ "The 2021 Ignis Pinot Noir comes from a vineyard that has granite and clay soil, offering a firmer nose and a medium ruby color that's slightly darker than the Vrede Pinot Noir. It displays elegant dark cherry notes with black raspberry and rose as notions of orange rind and potpourri sway with red tea aromas. Medium-bodied, the Pinot Noir grows on the palate and displays a firm tannic edge with balanced energetic acidity. Give it another year in the bottle, and it will have no problems aging until its 15th birthday." jancisrobinson.com 17+/20 "Yields were 0.66 kg/vine. 11 months in 228-litre French oak barrels, 24% new. TA 5.7 g/l, pH 3.5, RS 2.7 g/l. 7,308 bottles produced. More tentative on the nose than the 2021 Vrede, but, like their other 2021 Pinots, beautifully floral: orange blossom, Turkish delight. More assertive on the palate, however. Smoky, toasty, very intentional. Goji berries. Very confident. The biggest tannins of the three 2021s. Much more showy! Burlesque drama and flair. (TC)"