South Africa
At the bottom of its great continent, South Africa is a country of unlimited natural advantages. With the confluence of two oceans at the Cape, the sheltering effect of inland mountain chains and some of the most dynamic soils in the world, every piece is in place for the production of fine wine. The most well-known region has historically been Stellenbosch, but it is the wines of Swartland that have really turned South African wine on its head in recent years.
The wine industry is in the midst of a renaissance with classically styled wines making full advantage of remarkable terroir and an adventurous spirit. As a result, South Africa is producing some truly exceptional wines of great character and value. Striking blockbuster Syrahs and Bordeaux blends to full bodied Chardonnay and crisp Sauvignon Blanc are some of this great nation’s offerings. South Africa’s own grape, Pinotage, leaves critics divided yet can produce excellent single-variety offerings as well as distinguished Cape blends.
South Africa
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cape South Coast | 2 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£205.24 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)You know class when you taste it, and this is certainly that. Deservedly established as one of South Africa's most consistently outstanding Chardonnays, this has the structure and concentration to age, with no malolactic at all, 22% new wood and complex, nuanced, stony flavours of lemon zest, oatmeal and stone fruit – Drinking to 2028 |
|||||||||
|
Cape South Coast | 4 | 97 (IWSC) |
Inc. VAT
£241.24 |
|||||
IWSC (97)Very classy wine with nicely judged oak that adds vanilla spice to the tropical fruit and toffee apple flavours. Perfectly poised with crisp acidity and an elegant, long finish. |
|||||||||
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 97 (CE) |
Inc. VAT
£235.24 |
|||||
Christian Eedes (97)A challenging vintage that compelled Wessels to undertake nine passes through his 2ha vineyard as opposed to the usual five to seven. This attention to detail has paid off as this is the best vintage of Ava Marie yet. On the nose, a hint of flinty reduction before citrus, almond and leesy complexity while the palate shows great fruit concentration without being too weighty or thick-textured. The fruit is pure but there is already remarkable detail, the wine possessing a silky feel in the mouth, the finish super-dry. Matured for 11 months in mainly 500-litre barrels, some 10% new. Alcohol: 13%. |
|||||||||
|
Cape South Coast | 5 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£435.64 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)The Vrede Chardonnay uses grapes from the same site in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley as the Pinot Noir of the same name. Made with the popular CY95 clone, this shows none of the heat of the 2022 vintage, reflecting the subtlety of Hannes Storm's winemaking. Sappy, mineral and refreshing, it combines scented 25% new oak with citrus, oatmeal and pear flavours and a lingering finish. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cape South Coast | 2 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£155.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)You know class when you taste it, and this is certainly that. Deservedly established as one of South Africa's most consistently outstanding Chardonnays, this has the structure and concentration to age, with no malolactic at all, 22% new wood and complex, nuanced, stony flavours of lemon zest, oatmeal and stone fruit – Drinking to 2028 |
|||||||||
|
Cape South Coast | 4 | 97 (IWSC) |
In Bond
£185.00 |
|||||
IWSC (97)Very classy wine with nicely judged oak that adds vanilla spice to the tropical fruit and toffee apple flavours. Perfectly poised with crisp acidity and an elegant, long finish. |
|||||||||
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 97 (CE) |
In Bond
£180.00 |
|||||
Christian Eedes (97)A challenging vintage that compelled Wessels to undertake nine passes through his 2ha vineyard as opposed to the usual five to seven. This attention to detail has paid off as this is the best vintage of Ava Marie yet. On the nose, a hint of flinty reduction before citrus, almond and leesy complexity while the palate shows great fruit concentration without being too weighty or thick-textured. The fruit is pure but there is already remarkable detail, the wine possessing a silky feel in the mouth, the finish super-dry. Matured for 11 months in mainly 500-litre barrels, some 10% new. Alcohol: 13%. |
|||||||||
|
Cape South Coast | 5 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£347.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)The Vrede Chardonnay uses grapes from the same site in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley as the Pinot Noir of the same name. Made with the popular CY95 clone, this shows none of the heat of the 2022 vintage, reflecting the subtlety of Hannes Storm's winemaking. Sappy, mineral and refreshing, it combines scented 25% new oak with citrus, oatmeal and pear flavours and a lingering finish. |