Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is a world-renowned wine region located in the Cape Winelands, known for its exceptional wines, stunning natural beauty, and diverse terroir. The region is home to a range of acclaimed wineries, including Kanonkop Wine Estate, Rust en Vrede Wine Estate, and Thelema Mountain Vineyards, each known for their exceptional wines and commitment to sustainable and ethical practices. Stellenbosch boasts a Mediterranean climate, cooled by maritime breezes from the nearby Atlantic Ocean, with warm summers and mild winters. Its diverse terroir, including a range of soil types and microclimates, creates ideal growing conditions for a variety of grape varietals.
Experience the world-class wines of Stellenbosch and discover why this historic wine region continues to be a favorite among wine lovers. From bold and full-bodied reds to crisp and elegant whites, Stellenbosch offers an exceptional range of wines to suit every taste and preference. Plan a visit to this beautiful wine region and explore the vineyards, taste the wines, and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of South African winemaking. With its stunning natural beauty, exceptional wines, and warm hospitality, Stellenbosch is a destination not to be missed.
Stellenbosch
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£329.98 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)Syrah lovers could spend a long time discussing the relative merits of Alex Starey's single parcel Syrahs. I have a very slight preference for Topside in 2018, partly because its cooler terroir on Stellenbosch Mountain was well suited to the drought conditions of the vintage. Restrained, focused and built to age in bottle, it has sage and oregano perfume, savoury tannins, refreshing acidity and minerality and flavours of plum, raspberry, red cherry and tobacco leaf. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£203.98 |
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Decanter (97)Best in Show - Those seeking out reds based on Cabernet Franc beyond their French home are, often enough, looking for a red wine which combines something of the structure and command of Cabernet Sauvignon but with more lift, grace and aromatic refinement. The red wine from this year's brace of South African Best In Show winners fills that role admirably. It's dark in colour, with refined, complex, raspberry and root-spice aromas in subtle and uninsistent style. Look out for bright, pure raspberry fruits on the palate with a further twist of liquorice and gentian. The structure comes more from the wine's quiet, limpid acidity than from any notable tannin presence, further unscoring that accessibility and responsiveness. |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£195.95 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)This is "just" the basic Cabernet Sauvignon from Christo Le Riche, but it's a brilliant wine in its own right. Using grapes from ten different vineyards across Stellenbosch in Firgrove, the Helderberg, Jonkershoek, Raithby and the Simonsberg, it's a masterclass in blending. Matured in 18% new wood, it's wonderfully pure and scented, all violet, tar, tobacco leaf and liquorice, with plush yet structured cassis, black cherry and Asian spice flavours and the backbone to age for another decade in bottle. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£344.38 |
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Wine Advocate (95)Christo and Yvonne Le Riche are turning out some very beautiful Cabernet Sauvignons. Packaged in a heavy glass bottle, the 2021 Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is spicy, dark and very riche (pun intended). The wine shows concentrated fruit enhanced by peppery notes and smoky spice. Generous oak rendering adds savory hints of scorched earth. I love the chalky tannins on this full-bodied wine. This Reserve is only made in the best years. Grapes are hand-selected from low-yielding old vines. It spends up to 14 days on the skins with manual punch-downs for gentle color extraction. It then goes into barrel for secondary fermentation, remaining in oak for one year. The final blend is then made and the wine is put back in barrel for another year, plus one year in bottle. This 10,584-bottle release is unfined and unfiltered. |
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Coastal Region | 10 | - |
Inc. VAT
£198.80 |
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The Lukas van Loggerenberg Breton Cabernet Franc 2018 is a captivating expression of a South African terroir wine emerging from Stellenbosch, the heartland of Cape Winelands. As an ode to his ancestor's Loire Valley origins, the winemaker, Lukas van Loggerenberg, celebrates the elegance of a French-centric style. Harvested from dry farmed vineyards with an intentional low yield, this 100% Cabernet Franc employs whole bunch fermentation in old open-top barrels adding depth and complexity. Aged for 11 months in French oak, it showcases a fragrant nose of raspberry and rose petals complemented by a nuanced palate featuring spice, forest floor and fresh cherries. The tannins are finely grained, supporting a wine that is fruity yet restraint in its character. With only 2000 bottles made, the Lukas van Loggerenberg Breton Cabernet Franc 2018 is a limited production, proving the meticulous craftsmanship of this passionate viticulturist. |
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Coastal Region | 10 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£236.29 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)Lukas van Loggerenberg is a Loire Valley nut, happy to pay to drink the best that the region has to offer and learn from his favourite producers. This is a world-class expression of the variety, combining raw material from Faure and the Polkadraai Hills. Fermented with 25% whole bunches before ageing in concrete and old wood, it has wet grass and pencil shaving aromas, granite-derived freshness and a core of plum and black cherry fruit. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£143.60 |
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Experience the alluring intimate character of the Lukas Loggerenberg Geronimo Cinsault 2018. This exquisite 100% Cinsault hails from old bush vines in the Polkadraai Hills of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Noted wine maker, Lukas Loggerenberg, applies precision and authenticity to his minimalist interventionist approach, allowing the vineyards to candidly express their own lush, captivating personality. This vintage is whole bunch fermented and cask aged for nine months in French and Hungarian oak casks, expressing lithe red fruit flavours, layered with spicy undertones and a gratifying freshness. The Geronimo Cinsault's captivating profile is a testament to Loggerenberg’s commitment to signature natural wines. Sip and savour this classic Lukas Loggerenberg Geronimo Cinsault 2018 and delve into the harmonious marrying of earthy tones with soft, tannic textures. This South African gem is a must for discerning oenophiles, an absolute testament to the captivating magic of Stellenbosch terroir. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£288.80 |
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Experience the aristocratic elegance of the Lukas van Loggerenberg Graft Syrah 2021. Produced by the sensational winemaker, Lukas van Loggerenberg, in the esteemed viticultural region of Stellenbosch, South Africa, this Syrah is a sublime testament to the province's renowned prowess in crafting stellar red wines. Lukas, who was crowned the 2018 Young Winemaker of the Year by Tim Atkin, showcases his unparalleled passion for his craft once again in this impeccable varietal. Employing traditional vinification methods, each grape is hand-picked, cautiously fermented, and matured for 11 months in used French oak barrels to maintain the Syrah's intrinsic character. The result is an exquisitely full-bodied wine, loaded with dark fruit and black pepper notes combined with undertones of smoked herbs and black olives. A sip of the Lukas van Loggerenberg Graft Syrah 2021 represents a journey through the heart of South African wine-making tradition and innovation. |
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Coastal Region | 10 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£263.06 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Named after the 1.4-hectare block of the same name in Franschhoek, this remarkable Cinsault shows the effortless concentration of a vineyard planted in 1932. Inspired by the style of his favourite Barbarescos (different grape, same elegance and refinement), it has aromas of rose petal and forest floor, granular tannins and sweet plum, raspberry and pomegranate fruit. |
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Coastal Region | 7 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£198.35 |
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Vinous (92)The 2015 Rubicon had been a source of contention prior to my visit, hailed by some respected commentators as one of the Cape’s greats and then almost pilloried in a contemporaneous blind tasting. It is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, each fermented separately before blending. It was matured for 18 months in 66% new oak and the remainder second-fill. So what do I make of the wine? It is clear in color with quite a deep core. The bouquet is refined and focused, offering attractive mint- and graphite-infused black and red fruit and perhaps leaning a little more toward the latter compared to previous vintages. With aeration, subtle touches of pencil shavings emerge. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and quite velvety in texture, displaying very well integrated new oak. There is a satisfying sense of harmony to this Rubicon and it is certainly well constructed, but it does not possess that peacock’s tail on the finish that takes a very good wine to the level of great. Perfectly enjoyable, and it demonstrates very good winemaking; however, when compared to, say, the 2015 Paul Sauer, it just falls a little short. [I tasted this sighted and then in a mini blind tasting to confirm.] |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£96.53 |
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The Naude Semillon Vv 2016 exemplifies the pinnacle of South African viticulture, meticulously crafted by the esteemed Naude Wines in the picturesque Stellenbosch region. Handpicked from select Vv vineyard parcels, the Semillon grapes undergo a gentle cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve their crisp acidity and vibrant fruit profile. This vintage is aged on stainless steel to maintain its fresh, zesty character, allowing nuanced notes of citrus and white peach to flourish. The 2016 climate bestowed ideal ripening conditions, resulting in a harmonious balance between acidity and subtle oak undertones derived from minimal barrel contact. On the palate, Naude Semillon Vv 2016 reveals a refined elegance with lingering mineral finishes and a graceful texture, making it a versatile companion to seafood and light poultry dishes. Celebrated in esteemed wine publications, this Semillon stands as a testament to Naude Wines' dedication to excellence and terroir expression. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£161.15 |
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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
£365.98 |
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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
£97.60 |
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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 | 98 (GS) |
Inc. VAT
£365.98 |
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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
£443.98 |
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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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Western Cape | 4 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£141.86 |
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Tim Atkin MW (94)Sold as a Coastal red because it includes fruit from the Swartland as well as Darling - the vineyards are only two kilometres apart - this is a delicate, yet focused red with some whole bunch spices and sap, black cherry and raspberry fruit, nuanced tannins and a floral, tapering finish. 2022-27 |
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2 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£177.49 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)The Swartland and Stellenbosch are the twin sources of this consistently outstanding white blend from Donovan Rall, made from a cuvée of Chenin Blanc with 32% Verdelho and a splash of Viognier. Nuanced, understated and focused, with wax, lanolin and aniseed top notes and a palate of citrus, pear and peach skin. Taut and refreshing. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£164.66 |
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Tim Atkin MW (94)"We've gone more focused" says Nuschka de Vos of this complex, amphora, foudre and old wood-aged Chenin, inspired by the wines of Vouvray. Beeswax, lanolin and fennel aromas lead into a palate with good texture and structure and a pithy, mouth-watering finish. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£166.32 |
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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
£106.01 |
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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 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£163.92 |
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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
£233.15 |
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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
£225.49 |
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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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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
£255.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)Syrah lovers could spend a long time discussing the relative merits of Alex Starey's single parcel Syrahs. I have a very slight preference for Topside in 2018, partly because its cooler terroir on Stellenbosch Mountain was well suited to the drought conditions of the vintage. Restrained, focused and built to age in bottle, it has sage and oregano perfume, savoury tannins, refreshing acidity and minerality and flavours of plum, raspberry, red cherry and tobacco leaf. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (DC) |
In Bond
£150.00 |
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Decanter (97)Best in Show - Those seeking out reds based on Cabernet Franc beyond their French home are, often enough, looking for a red wine which combines something of the structure and command of Cabernet Sauvignon but with more lift, grace and aromatic refinement. The red wine from this year's brace of South African Best In Show winners fills that role admirably. It's dark in colour, with refined, complex, raspberry and root-spice aromas in subtle and uninsistent style. Look out for bright, pure raspberry fruits on the palate with a further twist of liquorice and gentian. The structure comes more from the wine's quiet, limpid acidity than from any notable tannin presence, further unscoring that accessibility and responsiveness. |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£144.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)This is "just" the basic Cabernet Sauvignon from Christo Le Riche, but it's a brilliant wine in its own right. Using grapes from ten different vineyards across Stellenbosch in Firgrove, the Helderberg, Jonkershoek, Raithby and the Simonsberg, it's a masterclass in blending. Matured in 18% new wood, it's wonderfully pure and scented, all violet, tar, tobacco leaf and liquorice, with plush yet structured cassis, black cherry and Asian spice flavours and the backbone to age for another decade in bottle. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
£267.00 |
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Wine Advocate (95)Christo and Yvonne Le Riche are turning out some very beautiful Cabernet Sauvignons. Packaged in a heavy glass bottle, the 2021 Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is spicy, dark and very riche (pun intended). The wine shows concentrated fruit enhanced by peppery notes and smoky spice. Generous oak rendering adds savory hints of scorched earth. I love the chalky tannins on this full-bodied wine. This Reserve is only made in the best years. Grapes are hand-selected from low-yielding old vines. It spends up to 14 days on the skins with manual punch-downs for gentle color extraction. It then goes into barrel for secondary fermentation, remaining in oak for one year. The final blend is then made and the wine is put back in barrel for another year, plus one year in bottle. This 10,584-bottle release is unfined and unfiltered. |
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Coastal Region | 10 | - |
In Bond
£145.00 |
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The Lukas van Loggerenberg Breton Cabernet Franc 2018 is a captivating expression of a South African terroir wine emerging from Stellenbosch, the heartland of Cape Winelands. As an ode to his ancestor's Loire Valley origins, the winemaker, Lukas van Loggerenberg, celebrates the elegance of a French-centric style. Harvested from dry farmed vineyards with an intentional low yield, this 100% Cabernet Franc employs whole bunch fermentation in old open-top barrels adding depth and complexity. Aged for 11 months in French oak, it showcases a fragrant nose of raspberry and rose petals complemented by a nuanced palate featuring spice, forest floor and fresh cherries. The tannins are finely grained, supporting a wine that is fruity yet restraint in its character. With only 2000 bottles made, the Lukas van Loggerenberg Breton Cabernet Franc 2018 is a limited production, proving the meticulous craftsmanship of this passionate viticulturist. |
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Coastal Region | 10 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£179.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)Lukas van Loggerenberg is a Loire Valley nut, happy to pay to drink the best that the region has to offer and learn from his favourite producers. This is a world-class expression of the variety, combining raw material from Faure and the Polkadraai Hills. Fermented with 25% whole bunches before ageing in concrete and old wood, it has wet grass and pencil shaving aromas, granite-derived freshness and a core of plum and black cherry fruit. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | - |
In Bond
£99.00 |
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Experience the alluring intimate character of the Lukas Loggerenberg Geronimo Cinsault 2018. This exquisite 100% Cinsault hails from old bush vines in the Polkadraai Hills of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Noted wine maker, Lukas Loggerenberg, applies precision and authenticity to his minimalist interventionist approach, allowing the vineyards to candidly express their own lush, captivating personality. This vintage is whole bunch fermented and cask aged for nine months in French and Hungarian oak casks, expressing lithe red fruit flavours, layered with spicy undertones and a gratifying freshness. The Geronimo Cinsault's captivating profile is a testament to Loggerenberg’s commitment to signature natural wines. Sip and savour this classic Lukas Loggerenberg Geronimo Cinsault 2018 and delve into the harmonious marrying of earthy tones with soft, tannic textures. This South African gem is a must for discerning oenophiles, an absolute testament to the captivating magic of Stellenbosch terroir. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
In Bond
£220.00 |
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Experience the aristocratic elegance of the Lukas van Loggerenberg Graft Syrah 2021. Produced by the sensational winemaker, Lukas van Loggerenberg, in the esteemed viticultural region of Stellenbosch, South Africa, this Syrah is a sublime testament to the province's renowned prowess in crafting stellar red wines. Lukas, who was crowned the 2018 Young Winemaker of the Year by Tim Atkin, showcases his unparalleled passion for his craft once again in this impeccable varietal. Employing traditional vinification methods, each grape is hand-picked, cautiously fermented, and matured for 11 months in used French oak barrels to maintain the Syrah's intrinsic character. The result is an exquisitely full-bodied wine, loaded with dark fruit and black pepper notes combined with undertones of smoked herbs and black olives. A sip of the Lukas van Loggerenberg Graft Syrah 2021 represents a journey through the heart of South African wine-making tradition and innovation. |
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Coastal Region | 10 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£202.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Named after the 1.4-hectare block of the same name in Franschhoek, this remarkable Cinsault shows the effortless concentration of a vineyard planted in 1932. Inspired by the style of his favourite Barbarescos (different grape, same elegance and refinement), it has aromas of rose petal and forest floor, granular tannins and sweet plum, raspberry and pomegranate fruit. |
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Coastal Region | 7 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
£146.00 |
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Vinous (92)The 2015 Rubicon had been a source of contention prior to my visit, hailed by some respected commentators as one of the Cape’s greats and then almost pilloried in a contemporaneous blind tasting. It is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, each fermented separately before blending. It was matured for 18 months in 66% new oak and the remainder second-fill. So what do I make of the wine? It is clear in color with quite a deep core. The bouquet is refined and focused, offering attractive mint- and graphite-infused black and red fruit and perhaps leaning a little more toward the latter compared to previous vintages. With aeration, subtle touches of pencil shavings emerge. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and quite velvety in texture, displaying very well integrated new oak. There is a satisfying sense of harmony to this Rubicon and it is certainly well constructed, but it does not possess that peacock’s tail on the finish that takes a very good wine to the level of great. Perfectly enjoyable, and it demonstrates very good winemaking; however, when compared to, say, the 2015 Paul Sauer, it just falls a little short. [I tasted this sighted and then in a mini blind tasting to confirm.] |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£92.40 |
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The Naude Semillon Vv 2016 exemplifies the pinnacle of South African viticulture, meticulously crafted by the esteemed Naude Wines in the picturesque Stellenbosch region. Handpicked from select Vv vineyard parcels, the Semillon grapes undergo a gentle cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve their crisp acidity and vibrant fruit profile. This vintage is aged on stainless steel to maintain its fresh, zesty character, allowing nuanced notes of citrus and white peach to flourish. The 2016 climate bestowed ideal ripening conditions, resulting in a harmonious balance between acidity and subtle oak undertones derived from minimal barrel contact. On the palate, Naude Semillon Vv 2016 reveals a refined elegance with lingering mineral finishes and a graceful texture, making it a versatile companion to seafood and light poultry dishes. Celebrated in esteemed wine publications, this Semillon stands as a testament to Naude Wines' dedication to excellence and terroir expression. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£115.00 |
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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
£78.00 |
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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 | 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
£350.00 |
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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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Western Cape | 4 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£101.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (94)Sold as a Coastal red because it includes fruit from the Swartland as well as Darling - the vineyards are only two kilometres apart - this is a delicate, yet focused red with some whole bunch spices and sap, black cherry and raspberry fruit, nuanced tannins and a floral, tapering finish. 2022-27 |
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2 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£130.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)The Swartland and Stellenbosch are the twin sources of this consistently outstanding white blend from Donovan Rall, made from a cuvée of Chenin Blanc with 32% Verdelho and a splash of Viognier. Nuanced, understated and focused, with wax, lanolin and aniseed top notes and a palate of citrus, pear and peach skin. Taut and refreshing. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£120.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (94)"We've gone more focused" says Nuschka de Vos of this complex, amphora, foudre and old wood-aged Chenin, inspired by the wines of Vouvray. Beeswax, lanolin and fennel aromas lead into a palate with good texture and structure and a pithy, mouth-watering finish. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£120.00 |
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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
£83.00 |
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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 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£118.00 |
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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
£175.00 |
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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
£170.00 |
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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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