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.
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South Africa
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£618.04 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Generally shown first in a line-up of the Mullineux's three soil specific Syrahs, this is firm, dense and entirely whole bunch fermented with damson and blackberry fruit, sappy tannins, one-third new oak and notes of black tea, lavender and Mediterranean spices. Needs time. 2022-3 |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£582.04 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)One of a trio of brilliant soil-based Syrahs from the Mullineux in 2018, Granite hails from a 30-year-old vineyard on the Paardeberg. Structured and grippy, it's a wine that will reward patience, with clove spice from 100% whole bunches, notes of blood orange and blackberry, fine oak and a tangy, refreshing finish. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£396.04 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)We wine geeks love to discuss the relative merits of the three soil-specific Syrahs from the Mullineux. This is (just) my pick of the trio in 2019, sourced from a two-hectare block on the Jakalsfontein farm. Ginger and violet aromas segue into a palate of remarkable grip and persistence, with energetic acidity and a savoury, satisfying finish. 2022-29 |
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Western Cape | 3 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£582.04 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)Now that Porseleinberg has changed in style, the Mullineux's Iron Syrah can adopt the mantle of the Cornas taste alike of the Swartland. Tannic and intense, it's a wild, dense, blood and guts style wine with lots of whole bunch intensity and a ferrous finish. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£306.04 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Chenin Blanc is the marquee variety here, with support from 26% Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Semillon Gris, Viura and Verdelho, most of which is sourced from 37 to 70-year-old vines. Lemon, lime and wet stone flavours with some phenolic grip and remarkable palate length. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (GS) |
Inc. VAT
£148.84 |
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Greg Sherwood MW (95)Bottled after 12 months, this is a very, very pretty vintage with lower yields but also beautiful fruit purity, precision and a wonderful fruit – acid balance. The aromatics are ripe, succulent and opulent showing honeysuckle, white blossom, lemon cordial, dried herbs and lovely white peach and pineapple pastille notes. Nevertheless, the stand out feature on the palate is undoubtedly the textural sophistication, harmony and chalky minerality combined with super tangy acids bursting with lemon rock candy, white peach and crystalline citrus flavours. Simply an incredible intensity with a harmoniously weightless balance combined with a long, piercing finish. This is definitely a noticeable step up on previous vintages and an incredible achievement for the Mullineuxs! Drink now to 2034+. |
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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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Cape South Coast | 2 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£392.69 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)The latest in an impressive run of outstanding Chardonnays from this top Elgin estate - no mean feat in a vintage where some producers struggled with fructose levels - this is bigger and bolder than the 2017 release. More Meursault than Puligny-Montrachet perhaps, with some cream and cashew notes on the palate underpinned by racy acidity |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£392.69 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Arguably the most Burgundian of Cape Pinot Noirs, guided by the gentle hand of consultant Martin Prieur, this scented, refined red comesfrom three sites and is made with clones 113, 115 and 777. Savoury red fruit, bright acidity, filigree tannins and deftly integrated wood. |
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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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1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£144.04 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)A wine doesn't have to be big to be complex," says Donovan Rall of this refined, ageworthy Cinsault, which combines fruit from Darling and the Swartland. Textured, refreshing yet with quite a bit of tannin for the variety, this is crunchy, complex and elegant with layers of summer berry and black cherry fruit. 2022-26 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£151.24 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Donovan Rall only used the first pick for this stunning Piekenierskloof Grenache Blanc in 2020, fermenting and ageing it in a combination of concrete eggs and amphoras. It's a salty, complex, dialled back white with notes of gunflint, wild herbs and greengage and high-altitude minerality and precision. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£287.09 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)'White Wine Discovery of the Year' - Donovan Rall has made a habit of winning one or more or my discovery of the year categories and he's done it again with this Chenin Blanc from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in the 1960s. Picked in four stages, it’s a stunning expression of the site, with saline grip, lots of extract and concentration, hay, pear and lime flavours and wonderful energy. |
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5 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£176.44 |
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Vinous (95)The 2017 Rall Red is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault that is matured in 225- and 500-liter French oak. It has a perfumed, quite sensual bouquet of pressed violet and potpourri aromas entwined with black cherries and blueberry fruit. The medium-bodied palate displays very fine tannins that frame exceedingly pure black and blueberry fruit laced with truffle, Provençal herbs and white pepper. It feels very persistent as it fans out on the finish, completing an outstanding Rall Red, one of the best that Donovan Rall has produced thus far. |
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1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£173.09 |
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Vinous (95)The 2021 Syrah is a maiden release from a 10-hectare parcel on schist soils that Rall took two weeks to track down the owner. It was cropped at 2 tons/hectare as it is so rocky. This comes from the early-picked fruit and matured in concrete only. The bouquet is very endearing with raspberry, wild strawberry and a very slight confit-like scent. The palate is very harmonious with fine grip, a little tertiary in style, beautifully proportioned and elegant on the finish. Outstanding. |
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9 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£181.24 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)As he did in 2017, Donovan Rall made his signature white wine without any Chardonnay, going for a 60/35/5 blend of Chenin Blanc, Verdelho and Viognier from the Swartland and Stellenbosch. Firmly established as one of the best blends in the Cape, it's still youthful and primary, but has stony reduction, ne lees and a medley of pear, citrus and stone fruit. 2021-26 |
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2 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£166.84 |
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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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1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£209.09 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Donovan Rall is a consummate blender of grapes, crafting seamless assemblages like this one of Chenin Blanc with 34% Verdelho and 1% Viognier. Dominated by fruit from the granite soils of the Paardeberg, it has aromas of oatmeal, wet stone and white flowers, peach, pear and lemongrass fruit and the tangy acidity of the vintage. |
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1 | 97 (CE) |
Inc. VAT
£169.24 |
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Christian Eedes (97)72% Chenin Blanc, 24% Verdelho and 4% Viognier – includes a portion of Chenin from the vineyard from which Noa below is sourced. Expressive aromatics of citrus, peach, floral perfume, herbs and a subtle reductive note while the palate has a dense core of fruit, invigorating acidity and dry finish. Poised and rather thrilling drinking. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 97 (CE) |
Inc. VAT
£235.24 |
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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%. |
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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 | 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 | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£231.64 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)This brilliant, barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc comes from the top part of the Willow Spring parcel and is the latest in a line of brilliant releases under this label. Saline, pithy and flinty with hints of nettle and elderflower, fine oak and a finish that goes on for ever. Drink 2019-2027. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£499.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Generally shown first in a line-up of the Mullineux's three soil specific Syrahs, this is firm, dense and entirely whole bunch fermented with damson and blackberry fruit, sappy tannins, one-third new oak and notes of black tea, lavender and Mediterranean spices. Needs time. 2022-3 |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£469.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)One of a trio of brilliant soil-based Syrahs from the Mullineux in 2018, Granite hails from a 30-year-old vineyard on the Paardeberg. Structured and grippy, it's a wine that will reward patience, with clove spice from 100% whole bunches, notes of blood orange and blackberry, fine oak and a tangy, refreshing finish. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
£314.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)We wine geeks love to discuss the relative merits of the three soil-specific Syrahs from the Mullineux. This is (just) my pick of the trio in 2019, sourced from a two-hectare block on the Jakalsfontein farm. Ginger and violet aromas segue into a palate of remarkable grip and persistence, with energetic acidity and a savoury, satisfying finish. 2022-29 |
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Western Cape | 3 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£469.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)Now that Porseleinberg has changed in style, the Mullineux's Iron Syrah can adopt the mantle of the Cornas taste alike of the Swartland. Tannic and intense, it's a wild, dense, blood and guts style wine with lots of whole bunch intensity and a ferrous finish. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£239.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Chenin Blanc is the marquee variety here, with support from 26% Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Semillon Gris, Viura and Verdelho, most of which is sourced from 37 to 70-year-old vines. Lemon, lime and wet stone flavours with some phenolic grip and remarkable palate length. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (GS) |
In Bond
£108.00 |
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Greg Sherwood MW (95)Bottled after 12 months, this is a very, very pretty vintage with lower yields but also beautiful fruit purity, precision and a wonderful fruit – acid balance. The aromatics are ripe, succulent and opulent showing honeysuckle, white blossom, lemon cordial, dried herbs and lovely white peach and pineapple pastille notes. Nevertheless, the stand out feature on the palate is undoubtedly the textural sophistication, harmony and chalky minerality combined with super tangy acids bursting with lemon rock candy, white peach and crystalline citrus flavours. Simply an incredible intensity with a harmoniously weightless balance combined with a long, piercing finish. This is definitely a noticeable step up on previous vintages and an incredible achievement for the Mullineuxs! Drink now to 2034+. |
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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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Cape South Coast | 2 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£308.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)The latest in an impressive run of outstanding Chardonnays from this top Elgin estate - no mean feat in a vintage where some producers struggled with fructose levels - this is bigger and bolder than the 2017 release. More Meursault than Puligny-Montrachet perhaps, with some cream and cashew notes on the palate underpinned by racy acidity |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£308.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Arguably the most Burgundian of Cape Pinot Noirs, guided by the gentle hand of consultant Martin Prieur, this scented, refined red comesfrom three sites and is made with clones 113, 115 and 777. Savoury red fruit, bright acidity, filigree tannins and deftly integrated wood. |
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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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1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£104.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)A wine doesn't have to be big to be complex," says Donovan Rall of this refined, ageworthy Cinsault, which combines fruit from Darling and the Swartland. Textured, refreshing yet with quite a bit of tannin for the variety, this is crunchy, complex and elegant with layers of summer berry and black cherry fruit. 2022-26 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£110.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Donovan Rall only used the first pick for this stunning Piekenierskloof Grenache Blanc in 2020, fermenting and ageing it in a combination of concrete eggs and amphoras. It's a salty, complex, dialled back white with notes of gunflint, wild herbs and greengage and high-altitude minerality and precision. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
£220.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)'White Wine Discovery of the Year' - Donovan Rall has made a habit of winning one or more or my discovery of the year categories and he's done it again with this Chenin Blanc from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in the 1960s. Picked in four stages, it’s a stunning expression of the site, with saline grip, lots of extract and concentration, hay, pear and lime flavours and wonderful energy. |
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5 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£131.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2017 Rall Red is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault that is matured in 225- and 500-liter French oak. It has a perfumed, quite sensual bouquet of pressed violet and potpourri aromas entwined with black cherries and blueberry fruit. The medium-bodied palate displays very fine tannins that frame exceedingly pure black and blueberry fruit laced with truffle, Provençal herbs and white pepper. It feels very persistent as it fans out on the finish, completing an outstanding Rall Red, one of the best that Donovan Rall has produced thus far. |
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1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£125.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2021 Syrah is a maiden release from a 10-hectare parcel on schist soils that Rall took two weeks to track down the owner. It was cropped at 2 tons/hectare as it is so rocky. This comes from the early-picked fruit and matured in concrete only. The bouquet is very endearing with raspberry, wild strawberry and a very slight confit-like scent. The palate is very harmonious with fine grip, a little tertiary in style, beautifully proportioned and elegant on the finish. Outstanding. |
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9 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£135.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)As he did in 2017, Donovan Rall made his signature white wine without any Chardonnay, going for a 60/35/5 blend of Chenin Blanc, Verdelho and Viognier from the Swartland and Stellenbosch. Firmly established as one of the best blends in the Cape, it's still youthful and primary, but has stony reduction, ne lees and a medley of pear, citrus and stone fruit. 2021-26 |
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2 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£123.00 |
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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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1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£155.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Donovan Rall is a consummate blender of grapes, crafting seamless assemblages like this one of Chenin Blanc with 34% Verdelho and 1% Viognier. Dominated by fruit from the granite soils of the Paardeberg, it has aromas of oatmeal, wet stone and white flowers, peach, pear and lemongrass fruit and the tangy acidity of the vintage. |
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1 | 97 (CE) |
In Bond
£125.00 |
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Christian Eedes (97)72% Chenin Blanc, 24% Verdelho and 4% Viognier – includes a portion of Chenin from the vineyard from which Noa below is sourced. Expressive aromatics of citrus, peach, floral perfume, herbs and a subtle reductive note while the palate has a dense core of fruit, invigorating acidity and dry finish. Poised and rather thrilling drinking. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 97 (CE) |
In Bond
£180.00 |
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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%. |
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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 | 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 | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£177.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)This brilliant, barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc comes from the top part of the Willow Spring parcel and is the latest in a line of brilliant releases under this label. Saline, pithy and flinty with hints of nettle and elderflower, fine oak and a finish that goes on for ever. Drink 2019-2027. |
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