Red
Red wines are produced in many regions around the world, each with their own unique style and flavor profile.
In Argentina, Malbec is the most famous red wine, known for its bold, fruit-forward flavors, and notes of blackberry, plum, and vanilla. Malbec is the most widely planted red grape variety in Argentina.
In California, Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted red grape variety, known for its full-bodied flavors, firm tannins, and notes of black fruit, cedar, and vanilla. Other popular red grape varieties in California include Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Australia is known for producing high-quality Shiraz, also known as Syrah, which is known for its bold, spicy flavors, and notes of black pepper, blackberry, and chocolate. Cabernet Sauvignon is also widely planted in Australia, producing wines with bold flavors and firm tannins.
Chile is famous for producing high-quality Carménère, a red grape variety that was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in Chile in the 1990s. Carménère is known for its bold, spicy flavors, and notes of dark fruit, tobacco, and chocolate.
In the United States, Pinot Noir is the most famous red wine from Oregon, known for its bright fruit flavors, silky texture, and notes of earth and spice.
In conclusion, red wines are produced in many regions around the world, each with their own unique style and flavor profile. From the bold flavors of Argentine Malbec to the silky texture of Oregon Pinot Noir, there is a red wine to suit every taste preference.
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Red
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£679.24 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)The Schist Syrah is sourced from the extensive Roundstone property and, like its stablemates Granite and Iron, is fermented with whole bunches and aged in one third-new oak. Rich, savoury and concentrated, but with considerable underlying finesse, rose petal notes and refreshing, palate-cleansing acidity. 2021-30 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£553.24 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)My pick of the three top Mullineux Syrahs in 2018, this world-class red is the most perfumed and alluring of the trio right now. Combining fruit from the Kasteelberg and Roundstone, this has violet and lavender aromas, some sap and grip from 100% whole bunches, incredible focus and grip and a plush, seductive mid palate. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 93 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£163.24 |
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Tim Atkin MW (93)One of my "go to" wines when I see it on a restaurant wine list, this intensely perfumed Syrah comes from seven vineyards, mostly on schist soils. Made with 90% whole bunches, it has more tannin than you think at first, layers of spice, violet and blackberry fruit and a refreshing tang. |
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Coastal Region | 100 | 87 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£548.44 |
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Wine Advocate (87)The 2011 Eisen & Viljoen has a better set of aromatics than the 2012: blackberry, sage and graphite scents, quite reserved but nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe black fruit mixed with blueberry and graphite. Like the 2012, there seems to be just a touch of bitterness on the finish, though not as procounced as the ensuing vintage, but detracting from what could have been a better wine. Re-tasting in South Africa with the owners, unfortunately I found the same thing. There were just 11 barrels produced. |
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Coastal Region | 5 | 86 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£555.64 |
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Wine Advocate (86)The 2012 Eisen & Viljoen has a well defined, quite focused bouquet with blackberry, smoke, cedar and undergrowth scents that have a Left Bank-like flair. The palate is medium-bodied with quite dense black fruit, and is nicely balanced, but I noticed a green note on the finish that knocks over what could have been a fine wine. That's a shame. I would be intrigued to taste another vintage. |
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Coastal Region | 15 | - |
Inc. VAT
£440.44 |
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The Normandie Eisen & Viljoen 2013 boasts an exquisite finesse known only to ne plus ultra wines. Crafted with meticulous precision in the prestigious vineyards of Franschhoek, South Africa, this blend masterfully embodies the quintessence of its terroir. This elegant representation is primarily composed of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, showcasing exceptional complexity and depth. The pioneering producers, Normandie Estate with talents Drs. Jan Viljoen and Suzette Viljoen Eisen at helm, guarantee viticulture excellence. Rich tastes of blackberry, currant, and chocolate delight the palate, resulting in a lingering full-bodied finish. Maturation took place over 18 months in French oak barrels, further refining its sophisticated profile. The Normandie Eisen & Viljoen 2013 exemplifies the pinnacle of South African wine, promising a captivating experience for any discerning connoisseur. A worthy addition to your collection if there ever was one. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£872.47 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)Has any brand in South Africa achieved quite so much as Porseleinberg in less than a decade? This is the best vintage yet from this steep, brutal, extreme schist-rich site and that's saying a good deal. Big, bold and intense, with incredible, almost feral intensity, incense, tar and black pepper aromas and layers of inky dark fruit. A stunning wine from a stunning site, made by a gem of a winemaker. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 100 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£926.47 |
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Tim Atkin MW (100)In the right hands, great sites produce great wines. Since its inception in 2010, Porseleinberg has been one of the Cape's most exciting reds, but nothing quite prepared me for the transcendent brilliance of this wine. In uenced by some time spent at Domaine Jamet in Côte Rôtie - particularly their use of a submerged cap during fermentation - Callie Louw has made a stunning Syrah, proving his skills as both a farmer and a winemaker. In 2018, the style has shifted, away from power and grip to something more scented and re ned. Focused, nuanced and very delicately oaked, with raspberry and wild strawberry fruit, clove and white pepper spice and textured tannins. Simply world class. 2023-35 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 99 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£758.47 |
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Tim Atkin MW (99)This remarkable site has established itself as one of the world's great Syrah vineyards in less than a decade. Sourced from four blocks totally 4.5 hectares, Callie Louw's stunning red is just short of perfection this year, but is still brilliant, confirming the evolution in style of the Jamet-inspired 2018. Leafy, spicy, rose petal aromas are supported by pure red berry fruit, detailed tannins and the faintest hint of oak. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£751.27 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)"We pick the vintage," says Callie Louw, whose 2020 Porseleinberg is the second lightest in alcohol he's ever made at 13.6%. Fermented with 100% whole bunches using the submerged cap technique that transformed the wine in 2018, this is another scented, seamless stunner from Callie Louw. Aged in large foudres and 5% concrete eggs, it's a spicy, sappy, hauntingly elegant Syrah from a brutal site, with kelp, rose petal and fynbos aromas, juicy bramble and red berry fruit, fine tannins and a wonderful sense of energy. 2024-32 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£109.24 |
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Vinous (95)The 2019 Cabernet Franc Dolomite has an energetic, tensile nose of wonderfully defined red and black fruit, sage, bell pepper and clove aromas; hints of dried blood emerge with time. The palate is very well balanced, taut and fresh, with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a harmonious, sophisticated finish, and suggestions of black pepper on the aftertaste. This is a brilliant Cabernet Franc from Raats that will age gloriously. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£361.24 |
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Vinous (97)The 2018 MR de Compostella is a blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. It presents a compelling bouquet of blackberry, charcoal, cedar and tobacco, all showing wonderful delineation and focus. But it is not the most flamboyant on the nose compared to other vintages; this takes its time to open at a stately pace. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, perfectly judged acidity, a silky-smooth texture and an utterly harmonious, complex finish. Residues of allspice and clove linger on the long aftertaste. Brilliant. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (GS) |
Inc. VAT
£361.24 |
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Greg Sherwood MW (98)Never made with exactly the same blend in any two vintages, the 2020 is a classic Cape Bordeaux assemblage of 30% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 16% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot with a total production of only 1,000 x 6. The wine displays a real intensity in the glass with a ruby red rim and a red / black plum heart. The aromatics are vibrant and fabulously perfumed, bursting from the glass with expressive notes of red and black berry fruits, black currant, raspberry, red and black cherry, before notes of earthy blueberry emerge with suggestions of pressed violets, lavender, sweet sandalwood, star anise and graphite spice. On the palate, the vintage’s regal elegance emerges with exhilarating acids framing the plush opulent red and back berry fruits, saline cassis, tart red cherry and a blueberry confectionary generosity. Tasting the wine with Bruwer Raats, inevitable comparisons were made to the iconic 2017 MR, with both wines sharing a beautifully bright acid freshness and a weightless concentration of pure berry fruits with only the slightest suggestion of vanilla oak spice. This really is a wine with a mixed palette of colours, flavours and fruits and the most seamlessly elegant, finessed velvety tannins. Following on from the 2018 blockbuster, with no 2019 MR produced, this 2020 is a bold, enchanting, characterful wine full of precision that trumpets the return of this incredible benchmark Cape classic. A breathtaking wine on so many levels. Drink from 2024 to 2045+. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 99 (GS) |
Inc. VAT
£433.24 |
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Greg Sherwood MW (99)The MR de Compostella from Bruwer Raats and Mzokhona Mvemve possesses one of the most successful critical track records out of almost any red wine produced in South Africa let alone just in the Cape Bordeaux Blend category. The newest 2021 release astonishingly takes this wine to yet another higher niveau of quality with a blend of 26% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Made from vines aged between 9 and 22 years old, all grown on deep decomposed dolomitic granite soils with table mountain sandstone, the aromatics are wonderfully bold and exuberant displaying seductive notes of blackberries, crème de cassis, violets, sweet cherry tobacco, black cherries and tart black plum. The lifted perfumed intensity is incredibly pure and piercing with salty liquorice, cedar spice and beautifully detailed maritime oyster shell nuances. In the mouth, the concentration and focused steely intensity is astounding – tart, bright and architecturally soaring, shaping this wine into a powerful, linear, multi-dimensional masterpiece. Packed full of salty cassis, tart plum and black currant, the tightly wound core of power, refined extraction and polished marble tannins leave you in no doubt that this harmonious, vibrant beauty is a spellbinding, timeless classic in the making. If you wanted just one wine to convince an international fine wine connoisseur of the true greatness of South Africa’s finest terroirs and winemaking, you have found your candidate! Simply an incredible wine. Drink this beauty from 2024 and savour over the next 30+ years. But you might need more than just one or two cases in your cellar!! |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£377.09 |
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Vinous (97)The 2021 Syrah Ava comes from two schist vineyards, the main component from the parcel that forms the Rall Syrah, in a corner where the clusters are very small. It has a compelling bouquet with dark berry fruit, slate-like scents, hints of broom and Provençal herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with a dense yet paradoxically elegant frame of tannins, precise peppery black fruit with a persistent, beautifully proportioned finish. All this at just 11.9% alcohol. Brilliant. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£169.24 |
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Vinous (95)The 2018 Capstone (or Cornerstone, as it is labeled in the UK & Europe) presents an intense nose of copious black cherry, boysenberry and cassis scents; crushed violet and incense develop with minimal encouragement. The balanced palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, ripe but not overly sweet, and caressing toward the plush finish. Irresistible and quite cerebral. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£152.44 |
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Tim Atkin MW (94)In certain vintages, Cornerstone can be one of the best value wines in the Reyneke portfolio. Marrying Cabernet Franc with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, with maturation in 15% new wood, this no longer includes Merlot and is all the better for it. Graceful, granular and leafy, with caressing tannins, fine oak and bright plum and red berry flavours. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£258.04 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)After 20 harvests in South Africa, Rudiger Gretschel regards 2017 as the best vintage he's ever experienced. The quality of this world class Syrah would appear to bear him out. Dense, chewy and complex, it's a Cape Cornas, with dark, brooding damson and blackberry fruit, notes of tapenade and rosemary, subtle oak and a finish that lingers on the palate for a minute. 2022-32 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£301.24 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)A wine that led the way for Polkadraai Hills Syrah, this is a stunning new release from Johan Reyneke and his team. Indecently perfumed with fynbos, lavender and black pepper aromas, wild, savoury tannins and a core of dense tapenade, damson and blackberry flavours. Sublime stuff. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£301.24 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)Consistently among the Cape's greatest red wines, this is a brilliant, world-class Syrah that ages convincingly too. Thyme, rosemary and oregano aromas leap out of the glass, offering a prelude to a palate that is dense, layered and intense, with black pepper and tapenade flavours, thrilling minerality and effortless complexity. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£247.24 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)Johan Reyneke sets aside a 0.5-hectare corner of a larger two-hectare parcel to produce this world-class Polkadraai Hills Syrah. Very much a granite-influenced style, this is earthy, intense and savoury, all clove, white pepper, bramble and blackberry fruit with a twist of stem ginger. 2024-32 |
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Coastal Region | 5 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£151.24 |
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Vinous (95)The 2019 Syrah Biodynamic is drop-dead gorgeous on the nose, offering blackberry, blueberry, crushed violet and light star anise aromas that blossom with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety tannins and great depth and intensity, equaled by a finesse that leaves you wanting more on the finish. A sublime Syrah from Johan Reyneke. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£921.60 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£829.24 |
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Decanter (98)Complex nose already: beautifully exuberant nose of damsons and flowers – the Carignan really coming through at this early stage. A herbal, stemmy element is also quite noticeable but well balanced. Full-bodied on the palate but only just, with a lovely sense of fluidity, slightly granular tannins and fine acidity – everything is in its place, and is delicious now, but will improve and build further complexity. If possible, wait until 2026 to broach. Long, so expressive and unique. Various soils: granite, slate, clay, gravel. Three weeks' fermentation and three weeks maceration in 3,300L open-top concrete fermenters. Aged for 12 months on the lees in small barrels (5% new), then a further 12 months on fine lees in large wooden foudres. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£803.09 |
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Wine Advocate (98)From the first sniff, the 2020 Columella is an instant champion that is pointing and swinging for the fence. With its fresh frame of fruit and expertly layered oaky essences, the wine is incredibly complex as it bursts from the glass with precision and finesse. Medium-bodied and with 13.5% alcohol, the Columella somersaults into a phantasmagoria of bright crunchy red fruit flavors and seductive floral essences that makes my head spin. Collectors will take note and add a couple of bottles of this to their cellar. It’s an absolutely stellar bottling that will age gracefully for decades. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£859.24 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£559.49 |
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Vinous (92)The 2019 Pofadder contains 80% whole-cluster Cinsault matured in used _foudre_. It has an extremely well-defined bouquet of pine cones and mint-infused red fruit. The palate is well balanced with good grip on the entry, a mixture of raspberry and wild strawberry fruit leading to an herbal finish that just needs a little more grip and density. Still, this is an excellent OVS from Sadie, though I would not put it at the top of the pile this year. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£551.09 |
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Vinous (96)The 2021 Treinspoor is Sadie's Tinta Barocca that the man himself likens to Nebbiolo, also opining that it is a wine that needs considerable ageing. These vines were planted in 1974, and the blend includes 40% whole clusters. It has a complex, succinctly defined bouquet with melted tar and graphite infused dark berry fruit, a hint of Lapsang Souchong. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, perfectly-tuned acidity, almost Burgundian in texture yet with more pepperiness towards the finish. So elegant and harmonious - this is stunning from every angle you look at it. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£624.29 |
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Coastal Region | 4 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£196.84 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)The last two hectares of dry-farmed Syrah on the Helderberg, planted by Bernhard Bredell's grandfather in 1995, were pulled out in 2017, so this Swanesang comes from a new source on the mountain. Rich, dense and Cornas-like, it's another remarkable Syrah from this talented young winemaker, with pepper spice and grip from 30% whole bunches and meaty, stony complexity. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£550.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)The Schist Syrah is sourced from the extensive Roundstone property and, like its stablemates Granite and Iron, is fermented with whole bunches and aged in one third-new oak. Rich, savoury and concentrated, but with considerable underlying finesse, rose petal notes and refreshing, palate-cleansing acidity. 2021-30 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
£445.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)My pick of the three top Mullineux Syrahs in 2018, this world-class red is the most perfumed and alluring of the trio right now. Combining fruit from the Kasteelberg and Roundstone, this has violet and lavender aromas, some sap and grip from 100% whole bunches, incredible focus and grip and a plush, seductive mid palate. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 93 (TA) |
In Bond
£120.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (93)One of my "go to" wines when I see it on a restaurant wine list, this intensely perfumed Syrah comes from seven vineyards, mostly on schist soils. Made with 90% whole bunches, it has more tannin than you think at first, layers of spice, violet and blackberry fruit and a refreshing tang. |
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Coastal Region | 100 | 87 (WA) |
In Bond
£441.00 |
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Wine Advocate (87)The 2011 Eisen & Viljoen has a better set of aromatics than the 2012: blackberry, sage and graphite scents, quite reserved but nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe black fruit mixed with blueberry and graphite. Like the 2012, there seems to be just a touch of bitterness on the finish, though not as procounced as the ensuing vintage, but detracting from what could have been a better wine. Re-tasting in South Africa with the owners, unfortunately I found the same thing. There were just 11 barrels produced. |
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Coastal Region | 5 | 86 (WA) |
In Bond
£447.00 |
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Wine Advocate (86)The 2012 Eisen & Viljoen has a well defined, quite focused bouquet with blackberry, smoke, cedar and undergrowth scents that have a Left Bank-like flair. The palate is medium-bodied with quite dense black fruit, and is nicely balanced, but I noticed a green note on the finish that knocks over what could have been a fine wine. That's a shame. I would be intrigued to taste another vintage. |
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Coastal Region | 15 | - |
In Bond
£351.00 |
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The Normandie Eisen & Viljoen 2013 boasts an exquisite finesse known only to ne plus ultra wines. Crafted with meticulous precision in the prestigious vineyards of Franschhoek, South Africa, this blend masterfully embodies the quintessence of its terroir. This elegant representation is primarily composed of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, showcasing exceptional complexity and depth. The pioneering producers, Normandie Estate with talents Drs. Jan Viljoen and Suzette Viljoen Eisen at helm, guarantee viticulture excellence. Rich tastes of blackberry, currant, and chocolate delight the palate, resulting in a lingering full-bodied finish. Maturation took place over 18 months in French oak barrels, further refining its sophisticated profile. The Normandie Eisen & Viljoen 2013 exemplifies the pinnacle of South African wine, promising a captivating experience for any discerning connoisseur. A worthy addition to your collection if there ever was one. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
In Bond
£695.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)Has any brand in South Africa achieved quite so much as Porseleinberg in less than a decade? This is the best vintage yet from this steep, brutal, extreme schist-rich site and that's saying a good deal. Big, bold and intense, with incredible, almost feral intensity, incense, tar and black pepper aromas and layers of inky dark fruit. A stunning wine from a stunning site, made by a gem of a winemaker. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 100 (TA) |
In Bond
£740.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (100)In the right hands, great sites produce great wines. Since its inception in 2010, Porseleinberg has been one of the Cape's most exciting reds, but nothing quite prepared me for the transcendent brilliance of this wine. In uenced by some time spent at Domaine Jamet in Côte Rôtie - particularly their use of a submerged cap during fermentation - Callie Louw has made a stunning Syrah, proving his skills as both a farmer and a winemaker. In 2018, the style has shifted, away from power and grip to something more scented and re ned. Focused, nuanced and very delicately oaked, with raspberry and wild strawberry fruit, clove and white pepper spice and textured tannins. Simply world class. 2023-35 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 99 (TA) |
In Bond
£600.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (99)This remarkable site has established itself as one of the world's great Syrah vineyards in less than a decade. Sourced from four blocks totally 4.5 hectares, Callie Louw's stunning red is just short of perfection this year, but is still brilliant, confirming the evolution in style of the Jamet-inspired 2018. Leafy, spicy, rose petal aromas are supported by pure red berry fruit, detailed tannins and the faintest hint of oak. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
In Bond
£594.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)"We pick the vintage," says Callie Louw, whose 2020 Porseleinberg is the second lightest in alcohol he's ever made at 13.6%. Fermented with 100% whole bunches using the submerged cap technique that transformed the wine in 2018, this is another scented, seamless stunner from Callie Louw. Aged in large foudres and 5% concrete eggs, it's a spicy, sappy, hauntingly elegant Syrah from a brutal site, with kelp, rose petal and fynbos aromas, juicy bramble and red berry fruit, fine tannins and a wonderful sense of energy. 2024-32 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£75.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2019 Cabernet Franc Dolomite has an energetic, tensile nose of wonderfully defined red and black fruit, sage, bell pepper and clove aromas; hints of dried blood emerge with time. The palate is very well balanced, taut and fresh, with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a harmonious, sophisticated finish, and suggestions of black pepper on the aftertaste. This is a brilliant Cabernet Franc from Raats that will age gloriously. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (VN) |
In Bond
£285.00 |
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Vinous (97)The 2018 MR de Compostella is a blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. It presents a compelling bouquet of blackberry, charcoal, cedar and tobacco, all showing wonderful delineation and focus. But it is not the most flamboyant on the nose compared to other vintages; this takes its time to open at a stately pace. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, perfectly judged acidity, a silky-smooth texture and an utterly harmonious, complex finish. Residues of allspice and clove linger on the long aftertaste. Brilliant. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (GS) |
In Bond
£285.00 |
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Greg Sherwood MW (98)Never made with exactly the same blend in any two vintages, the 2020 is a classic Cape Bordeaux assemblage of 30% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 16% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot with a total production of only 1,000 x 6. The wine displays a real intensity in the glass with a ruby red rim and a red / black plum heart. The aromatics are vibrant and fabulously perfumed, bursting from the glass with expressive notes of red and black berry fruits, black currant, raspberry, red and black cherry, before notes of earthy blueberry emerge with suggestions of pressed violets, lavender, sweet sandalwood, star anise and graphite spice. On the palate, the vintage’s regal elegance emerges with exhilarating acids framing the plush opulent red and back berry fruits, saline cassis, tart red cherry and a blueberry confectionary generosity. Tasting the wine with Bruwer Raats, inevitable comparisons were made to the iconic 2017 MR, with both wines sharing a beautifully bright acid freshness and a weightless concentration of pure berry fruits with only the slightest suggestion of vanilla oak spice. This really is a wine with a mixed palette of colours, flavours and fruits and the most seamlessly elegant, finessed velvety tannins. Following on from the 2018 blockbuster, with no 2019 MR produced, this 2020 is a bold, enchanting, characterful wine full of precision that trumpets the return of this incredible benchmark Cape classic. A breathtaking wine on so many levels. Drink from 2024 to 2045+. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 99 (GS) |
In Bond
£345.00 |
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Greg Sherwood MW (99)The MR de Compostella from Bruwer Raats and Mzokhona Mvemve possesses one of the most successful critical track records out of almost any red wine produced in South Africa let alone just in the Cape Bordeaux Blend category. The newest 2021 release astonishingly takes this wine to yet another higher niveau of quality with a blend of 26% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Made from vines aged between 9 and 22 years old, all grown on deep decomposed dolomitic granite soils with table mountain sandstone, the aromatics are wonderfully bold and exuberant displaying seductive notes of blackberries, crème de cassis, violets, sweet cherry tobacco, black cherries and tart black plum. The lifted perfumed intensity is incredibly pure and piercing with salty liquorice, cedar spice and beautifully detailed maritime oyster shell nuances. In the mouth, the concentration and focused steely intensity is astounding – tart, bright and architecturally soaring, shaping this wine into a powerful, linear, multi-dimensional masterpiece. Packed full of salty cassis, tart plum and black currant, the tightly wound core of power, refined extraction and polished marble tannins leave you in no doubt that this harmonious, vibrant beauty is a spellbinding, timeless classic in the making. If you wanted just one wine to convince an international fine wine connoisseur of the true greatness of South Africa’s finest terroirs and winemaking, you have found your candidate! Simply an incredible wine. Drink this beauty from 2024 and savour over the next 30+ years. But you might need more than just one or two cases in your cellar!! |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (VN) |
In Bond
£295.00 |
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Vinous (97)The 2021 Syrah Ava comes from two schist vineyards, the main component from the parcel that forms the Rall Syrah, in a corner where the clusters are very small. It has a compelling bouquet with dark berry fruit, slate-like scents, hints of broom and Provençal herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with a dense yet paradoxically elegant frame of tannins, precise peppery black fruit with a persistent, beautifully proportioned finish. All this at just 11.9% alcohol. Brilliant. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£125.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2018 Capstone (or Cornerstone, as it is labeled in the UK & Europe) presents an intense nose of copious black cherry, boysenberry and cassis scents; crushed violet and incense develop with minimal encouragement. The balanced palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, ripe but not overly sweet, and caressing toward the plush finish. Irresistible and quite cerebral. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£111.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (94)In certain vintages, Cornerstone can be one of the best value wines in the Reyneke portfolio. Marrying Cabernet Franc with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, with maturation in 15% new wood, this no longer includes Merlot and is all the better for it. Graceful, granular and leafy, with caressing tannins, fine oak and bright plum and red berry flavours. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
£199.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)After 20 harvests in South Africa, Rudiger Gretschel regards 2017 as the best vintage he's ever experienced. The quality of this world class Syrah would appear to bear him out. Dense, chewy and complex, it's a Cape Cornas, with dark, brooding damson and blackberry fruit, notes of tapenade and rosemary, subtle oak and a finish that lingers on the palate for a minute. 2022-32 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
£235.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)A wine that led the way for Polkadraai Hills Syrah, this is a stunning new release from Johan Reyneke and his team. Indecently perfumed with fynbos, lavender and black pepper aromas, wild, savoury tannins and a core of dense tapenade, damson and blackberry flavours. Sublime stuff. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
In Bond
£235.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)Consistently among the Cape's greatest red wines, this is a brilliant, world-class Syrah that ages convincingly too. Thyme, rosemary and oregano aromas leap out of the glass, offering a prelude to a palate that is dense, layered and intense, with black pepper and tapenade flavours, thrilling minerality and effortless complexity. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£190.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)Johan Reyneke sets aside a 0.5-hectare corner of a larger two-hectare parcel to produce this world-class Polkadraai Hills Syrah. Very much a granite-influenced style, this is earthy, intense and savoury, all clove, white pepper, bramble and blackberry fruit with a twist of stem ginger. 2024-32 |
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Coastal Region | 5 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£110.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2019 Syrah Biodynamic is drop-dead gorgeous on the nose, offering blackberry, blueberry, crushed violet and light star anise aromas that blossom with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety tannins and great depth and intensity, equaled by a finesse that leaves you wanting more on the finish. A sublime Syrah from Johan Reyneke. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£921.60 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (DC) |
In Bond
£675.00 |
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Decanter (98)Complex nose already: beautifully exuberant nose of damsons and flowers – the Carignan really coming through at this early stage. A herbal, stemmy element is also quite noticeable but well balanced. Full-bodied on the palate but only just, with a lovely sense of fluidity, slightly granular tannins and fine acidity – everything is in its place, and is delicious now, but will improve and build further complexity. If possible, wait until 2026 to broach. Long, so expressive and unique. Various soils: granite, slate, clay, gravel. Three weeks' fermentation and three weeks maceration in 3,300L open-top concrete fermenters. Aged for 12 months on the lees in small barrels (5% new), then a further 12 months on fine lees in large wooden foudres. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
£650.00 |
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Wine Advocate (98)From the first sniff, the 2020 Columella is an instant champion that is pointing and swinging for the fence. With its fresh frame of fruit and expertly layered oaky essences, the wine is incredibly complex as it bursts from the glass with precision and finesse. Medium-bodied and with 13.5% alcohol, the Columella somersaults into a phantasmagoria of bright crunchy red fruit flavors and seductive floral essences that makes my head spin. Collectors will take note and add a couple of bottles of this to their cellar. It’s an absolutely stellar bottling that will age gracefully for decades. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
In Bond
£700.00 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
£447.00 |
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Vinous (92)The 2019 Pofadder contains 80% whole-cluster Cinsault matured in used _foudre_. It has an extremely well-defined bouquet of pine cones and mint-infused red fruit. The palate is well balanced with good grip on the entry, a mixture of raspberry and wild strawberry fruit leading to an herbal finish that just needs a little more grip and density. Still, this is an excellent OVS from Sadie, though I would not put it at the top of the pile this year. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
£440.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2021 Treinspoor is Sadie's Tinta Barocca that the man himself likens to Nebbiolo, also opining that it is a wine that needs considerable ageing. These vines were planted in 1974, and the blend includes 40% whole clusters. It has a complex, succinctly defined bouquet with melted tar and graphite infused dark berry fruit, a hint of Lapsang Souchong. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, perfectly-tuned acidity, almost Burgundian in texture yet with more pepperiness towards the finish. So elegant and harmonious - this is stunning from every angle you look at it. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
In Bond
£501.00 |
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Coastal Region | 4 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£148.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)The last two hectares of dry-farmed Syrah on the Helderberg, planted by Bernhard Bredell's grandfather in 1995, were pulled out in 2017, so this Swanesang comes from a new source on the mountain. Rich, dense and Cornas-like, it's another remarkable Syrah from this talented young winemaker, with pepper spice and grip from 30% whole bunches and meaty, stony complexity. |
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