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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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.Inc. VAT£187.24 -
Vinous (94)
The 2022 Chenin Blanc comes from the two old blocks planted in 1974 and 1976. It is whole bunch pressed, but unlike the Sauvignon Blanc, it is not settled and matured in foudres and used 300-liter oak, where it stayed for ten months on the lees. It has a very delineated bouquet with Granny Smith scents and light sea spray aromas, a very Zen-like Chenin that expresses the granitic terroir. The well-balanced palate has a slight viscosity on the entry, a little richer than previous vintages but without compromising tension, with hints of peach skin and yellow plum towards the finish. Excellent.Inc. VAT£133.24 -
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.Inc. VAT£169.24 -
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.Inc. VAT£160.84 -
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. 2022-32Inc. VAT£258.04 -
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.Inc. VAT£301.24 -
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.Inc. VAT£301.24 -
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. 2024-32Inc. VAT£247.24 -
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.Inc. VAT£231.64 -
Tim Atkin MW (96)
A welcome relief from the blandness of many commercial Sauvignon Blancs, this is an ambitious, dynamically farmed white from the brilliant team at Reyneke. Sappy, reductive and nettley, with a flinty note that's reminiscent of a great Pouilly-Fumé and a long, saline finish. 2020-24Inc. VAT£211.24 -
Tim Atkin MW (96)
Any list of the world's greatest Sauvignon Blancs would be incomplete without this wine. Wood smoke and blackcurrant leaf aromas are a prelude to a palate of remarkable complexity and salinity, with savoury oak, fresh herb and pink grapefruit flavours and a finish that lingers on the palate for a minuteInc. VAT£273.64 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
A wine that takes its inspiration from Pouilly-Fumé, according to Rudiger Gretschel, this varietal Sauvignon Blanc is remarkably chiselled and pithy, with gooseberry and elderflower flavours, subtle wood, granitic minerality and leesy texture and complexity.Inc. VAT£199.24 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
A pair of warmer, south-facing, biodynamically farmed parcels are the source of this brilliant Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented in deftly handled 85% new wood, it's something of a thiol-driven style, showing quince and passion fruit flavours and top notes of wild flowers. Complex, nuanced, layered stuff. 2023-29Inc. VAT£181.24 -
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.Inc. VAT£151.24 -
Inc. VAT£173.09 -
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.Inc. VAT£196.84 -
Vinous (92)
The 2016 Ridge Pinot Noir comes from vines located at 325 meters, the highest that Hannes Storm farms, east-facing with a prevailing southeasterly wind that creates a cooler site and longer hangtime. It was matured in 25% new oak for 11 months. It is more youthful in appearance compared to the Ignis, the nose very cohesive with black cherry, raspberry preserve, crushed stone and light wilted rose petal aromas. The fresh, poised palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity and perhaps the edgiest tannins of Storm’s 2016s. Long with a touch of spice on the finish, this is an excellent Pinot Noir. It’s a shame only 250 cases were produced.Inc. VAT£256.84 -
Tim Atkin MW (94)
Hannes Storm's whites have shifted up a gear in 2022 and are fast approaching the same level as his lauded Pinot Noirs. This stylish Chardonnay showcases grapes from a south-east facing parcel at 330 metres on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Fermented in a combination of 32% new barrels and 10% clay amphoras, it's a chiselled, pithy, focused white with lots of zip, lemongrass and orange zest flavours and subtle aromatic spices.Inc. VAT£258.04 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
As its name suggests, this hails from a cool shale site on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, planted as recently as 2009. It combines the density of Vrede with the perfume of Ignis, making it Hannes Storm’s most complete Pinot, with floral scents, red cherry and raspberry fruit, savoury tannins and focused acidity.Inc. VAT£323.09 -
Tim Atkin MW (96)
Ridge is often the most backward of Hannes Storm's trio of remarkable single vineyard Pinot Noirs, sourced from an east-facing, high-density planting at 330 metres at La Vierge on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Plum, black cherry and a hint of graphite are underpinned by plenty of grip, backbone and intensity. One to tuck away for a while.Inc. VAT£346.84 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Very few recent South African releases have been as eagerly awaited as this 2018 red from the old Cordoba property on the flank of the Helderberg. And it doesn't disappoint in the slightest. Cabernet Franc-centred, with 24% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, the new crescendo is a beautifully refined, detailed red from 21-year-old vines. Violet and cut grass aromas lead into a palate that is fresh, bright and comparatively low in alcohol with filigree tannins, subtle wood, fine tension and the focus and balance to age. What a début!Inc. VAT£198.04 -
Tim Atkin MW (98)
Could Schalk-Willem Joubert do it again in 2019 after such an impressive maiden release? You bet he could and he has even improved on that predecessor. This is more precise and nuanced, presenting a seamless assemblage of Cabernet Franc with 26% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon from the windy western corner of the Helderberg. Complex, layered and restrained, with perfumed 35% new wood, graphite, red berry, blackcurrant leaf and tarragon flavours and fresh, sea breeze-kissed finish.Inc. VAT£180.04 -
Immerse in the unrivalled pleasure of sipping on the outstanding Taaibosch Crescendo 2020. Beautifully crafted by Taaibosch Wines at the esteemed Simonsberg-Paarl stretch of South Africa, this gorgeous blend stands out with its superior elegance and complexity. As an organic wine producer committed to sustainable viticulture practices, Taaibosch Wines guarantees an all-natural production process from hand-harvesting to fermentation. Taaibosch Crescendo 2020 is a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, emblematic of the region's profound expertise in creating blended masterpiece wines. The exquisite aromas of black and red berries layered with hints of chocolate and vanilla are followed by the balanced palate offering a long, velvety finish. Rated highly by many trusted wine publications, this truly is a subtly powerful expression of terroir in a bottle. Perfect for special occasions and deserving of the highest esteem, enjoy the sophisticated flavours of the Taaibosch Crescendo 2020.
Inc. VAT£307.49 -
Vinous (90)
The 2017 Man In The Moon comes from a block of Clairette Blanche that is shared with Craven, the vines 30 years old, and matured in used oak. It has a refulgent straw color with fat tears. The generous bouquet features yellow plum, nectarine, candle wax and light vervain tea aromas. The palate is quite phenolic on the entry, well balanced with a waxy texture and resinous in style; ginger and light pepper notes emerge toward the finish. More tactile than overt in fruit, this is a left-field wine from John Seccombe, one I feel is well made and fascinating.Inc. VAT£132.29 -
Greg Sherwood MW (95+)
This really is a sensational expression from Andre and the team at Vergelegen. A blend of 20% Sauvignon and 80% Semillon, this wine screams premium white Bordeaux from the minute you smell the alluring aromatics. All the classical white Bordeaux hallmark notes are there including a crunchy white citrus, grapefruit zest, pineapple pastille fruits, lime peel, dried coconut and reductive hints of black currant and vinyl. The palate is broad and powerful with a leading edge of sweet and sour grapefruit acidity, tangerine juice, green mango flesh and white citrus fruit intensity. Slightly pithy with hints of dried grass, this wine is a never ending profusion of fruit concentration, minerality and dried herb complexity all knitted together in a very tight, intense, classical package. This wine would go down an absolute treat blind with the Bordelaise producers in the Graves or Pessac-Leognan. With pyrazines well and truly conquered in this wine, this expression is lined up for a long and successful ageing period. Drink from release and for another 12 to 15+ years.Inc. VAT£211.24 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
Reviewed alongside the 2018 release as they are both on the market, this is Semillon dominated with 40% Sauvignon Blanc. Barrel-aged in one-third new oak, it has flinty, struck match aromas, stylish wood spice, notes of lanolin and grapefruit and a pithy, refreshing finish.Inc. VAT£235.24 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
Every bit as good as the 2017, even though the vintage is less celebrated, this is an equal marriage of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc with an even lower pH. Grapefruit and elderflower flavours combine appealingly with the stylish vanilla oak, embellished by a herbal undertone.Inc. VAT£165.64 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
Proof the remarkable ageing potential of Vergelegen's flagship white wine - and it's only just settling into its stride - this is a gloriously complex blend of Sauvignon Blanc and 36% Semillon, with appealing freshness and zip, good focus, a salty undertone and flavours of grapefruit, gooseberry and fresh toast.Inc. VAT£153.64 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
Tasted blind. Blackcurrant pastilles on the really interesting, sophisticated nose. Some savoury inkiness and lots of pleasure. Firm and confident and set for the long term. Lots there with tannin evident only on the end for future development. Long. This is the first wine that reminds me of ambitious bordeaux … luscious – a sort of right-bank style.Inc. VAT£165.64 -
Vinous (92)
(90% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot and 3% cabernet franc) Bright red-ruby. Aromas of currant, graphite, coffee, dark chocolate and clove; lots of sexy new oak showing. Lush and silky on entry, but has enough acidity to frame and enliven its deep flavors of currant and graphite. This bottling represents a distinctly and intentionally modern style for Vergelegen, but also boasts very good structure and verve. Finishes long and brooding, with palate-saturating flavors and broad, noble tannins.Inc. VAT£837.89
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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.In Bond£140.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2022 Chenin Blanc comes from the two old blocks planted in 1974 and 1976. It is whole bunch pressed, but unlike the Sauvignon Blanc, it is not settled and matured in foudres and used 300-liter oak, where it stayed for ten months on the lees. It has a very delineated bouquet with Granny Smith scents and light sea spray aromas, a very Zen-like Chenin that expresses the granitic terroir. The well-balanced palate has a slight viscosity on the entry, a little richer than previous vintages but without compromising tension, with hints of peach skin and yellow plum towards the finish. Excellent.In Bond£95.00 -
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.In Bond£125.00 -
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.In Bond£118.00 -
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. 2022-32In Bond£199.00 -
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.In Bond£235.00 -
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.In Bond£235.00 -
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. 2024-32In Bond£190.00 -
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.In Bond£177.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (96)
A welcome relief from the blandness of many commercial Sauvignon Blancs, this is an ambitious, dynamically farmed white from the brilliant team at Reyneke. Sappy, reductive and nettley, with a flinty note that's reminiscent of a great Pouilly-Fumé and a long, saline finish. 2020-24In Bond£160.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (96)
Any list of the world's greatest Sauvignon Blancs would be incomplete without this wine. Wood smoke and blackcurrant leaf aromas are a prelude to a palate of remarkable complexity and salinity, with savoury oak, fresh herb and pink grapefruit flavours and a finish that lingers on the palate for a minuteIn Bond£212.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
A wine that takes its inspiration from Pouilly-Fumé, according to Rudiger Gretschel, this varietal Sauvignon Blanc is remarkably chiselled and pithy, with gooseberry and elderflower flavours, subtle wood, granitic minerality and leesy texture and complexity.In Bond£150.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
A pair of warmer, south-facing, biodynamically farmed parcels are the source of this brilliant Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented in deftly handled 85% new wood, it's something of a thiol-driven style, showing quince and passion fruit flavours and top notes of wild flowers. Complex, nuanced, layered stuff. 2023-29In Bond£135.00 -
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.In Bond£110.00 -
In Bond£125.00
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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.In Bond£148.00 -
Vinous (92)
The 2016 Ridge Pinot Noir comes from vines located at 325 meters, the highest that Hannes Storm farms, east-facing with a prevailing southeasterly wind that creates a cooler site and longer hangtime. It was matured in 25% new oak for 11 months. It is more youthful in appearance compared to the Ignis, the nose very cohesive with black cherry, raspberry preserve, crushed stone and light wilted rose petal aromas. The fresh, poised palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity and perhaps the edgiest tannins of Storm’s 2016s. Long with a touch of spice on the finish, this is an excellent Pinot Noir. It’s a shame only 250 cases were produced.In Bond£198.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (94)
Hannes Storm's whites have shifted up a gear in 2022 and are fast approaching the same level as his lauded Pinot Noirs. This stylish Chardonnay showcases grapes from a south-east facing parcel at 330 metres on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Fermented in a combination of 32% new barrels and 10% clay amphoras, it's a chiselled, pithy, focused white with lots of zip, lemongrass and orange zest flavours and subtle aromatic spices.In Bond£199.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
As its name suggests, this hails from a cool shale site on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, planted as recently as 2009. It combines the density of Vrede with the perfume of Ignis, making it Hannes Storm’s most complete Pinot, with floral scents, red cherry and raspberry fruit, savoury tannins and focused acidity.In Bond£250.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (96)
Ridge is often the most backward of Hannes Storm's trio of remarkable single vineyard Pinot Noirs, sourced from an east-facing, high-density planting at 330 metres at La Vierge on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Plum, black cherry and a hint of graphite are underpinned by plenty of grip, backbone and intensity. One to tuck away for a while.In Bond£273.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Very few recent South African releases have been as eagerly awaited as this 2018 red from the old Cordoba property on the flank of the Helderberg. And it doesn't disappoint in the slightest. Cabernet Franc-centred, with 24% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, the new crescendo is a beautifully refined, detailed red from 21-year-old vines. Violet and cut grass aromas lead into a palate that is fresh, bright and comparatively low in alcohol with filigree tannins, subtle wood, fine tension and the focus and balance to age. What a début!In Bond£149.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (98)
Could Schalk-Willem Joubert do it again in 2019 after such an impressive maiden release? You bet he could and he has even improved on that predecessor. This is more precise and nuanced, presenting a seamless assemblage of Cabernet Franc with 26% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon from the windy western corner of the Helderberg. Complex, layered and restrained, with perfumed 35% new wood, graphite, red berry, blackcurrant leaf and tarragon flavours and fresh, sea breeze-kissed finish.In Bond£134.00 -
Immerse in the unrivalled pleasure of sipping on the outstanding Taaibosch Crescendo 2020. Beautifully crafted by Taaibosch Wines at the esteemed Simonsberg-Paarl stretch of South Africa, this gorgeous blend stands out with its superior elegance and complexity. As an organic wine producer committed to sustainable viticulture practices, Taaibosch Wines guarantees an all-natural production process from hand-harvesting to fermentation. Taaibosch Crescendo 2020 is a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, emblematic of the region's profound expertise in creating blended masterpiece wines. The exquisite aromas of black and red berries layered with hints of chocolate and vanilla are followed by the balanced palate offering a long, velvety finish. Rated highly by many trusted wine publications, this truly is a subtly powerful expression of terroir in a bottle. Perfect for special occasions and deserving of the highest esteem, enjoy the sophisticated flavours of the Taaibosch Crescendo 2020.
In Bond£237.00 -
Vinous (90)
The 2017 Man In The Moon comes from a block of Clairette Blanche that is shared with Craven, the vines 30 years old, and matured in used oak. It has a refulgent straw color with fat tears. The generous bouquet features yellow plum, nectarine, candle wax and light vervain tea aromas. The palate is quite phenolic on the entry, well balanced with a waxy texture and resinous in style; ginger and light pepper notes emerge toward the finish. More tactile than overt in fruit, this is a left-field wine from John Seccombe, one I feel is well made and fascinating.In Bond£91.00 -
Greg Sherwood MW (95+)
This really is a sensational expression from Andre and the team at Vergelegen. A blend of 20% Sauvignon and 80% Semillon, this wine screams premium white Bordeaux from the minute you smell the alluring aromatics. All the classical white Bordeaux hallmark notes are there including a crunchy white citrus, grapefruit zest, pineapple pastille fruits, lime peel, dried coconut and reductive hints of black currant and vinyl. The palate is broad and powerful with a leading edge of sweet and sour grapefruit acidity, tangerine juice, green mango flesh and white citrus fruit intensity. Slightly pithy with hints of dried grass, this wine is a never ending profusion of fruit concentration, minerality and dried herb complexity all knitted together in a very tight, intense, classical package. This wine would go down an absolute treat blind with the Bordelaise producers in the Graves or Pessac-Leognan. With pyrazines well and truly conquered in this wine, this expression is lined up for a long and successful ageing period. Drink from release and for another 12 to 15+ years.In Bond£160.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
Reviewed alongside the 2018 release as they are both on the market, this is Semillon dominated with 40% Sauvignon Blanc. Barrel-aged in one-third new oak, it has flinty, struck match aromas, stylish wood spice, notes of lanolin and grapefruit and a pithy, refreshing finish.In Bond£180.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
Every bit as good as the 2017, even though the vintage is less celebrated, this is an equal marriage of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc with an even lower pH. Grapefruit and elderflower flavours combine appealingly with the stylish vanilla oak, embellished by a herbal undertone.In Bond£122.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (95)
Proof the remarkable ageing potential of Vergelegen's flagship white wine - and it's only just settling into its stride - this is a gloriously complex blend of Sauvignon Blanc and 36% Semillon, with appealing freshness and zip, good focus, a salty undertone and flavours of grapefruit, gooseberry and fresh toast.In Bond£112.00 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
Tasted blind. Blackcurrant pastilles on the really interesting, sophisticated nose. Some savoury inkiness and lots of pleasure. Firm and confident and set for the long term. Lots there with tannin evident only on the end for future development. Long. This is the first wine that reminds me of ambitious bordeaux … luscious – a sort of right-bank style.In Bond£122.00 -
Vinous (92)
(90% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot and 3% cabernet franc) Bright red-ruby. Aromas of currant, graphite, coffee, dark chocolate and clove; lots of sexy new oak showing. Lush and silky on entry, but has enough acidity to frame and enliven its deep flavors of currant and graphite. This bottling represents a distinctly and intentionally modern style for Vergelegen, but also boasts very good structure and verve. Finishes long and brooding, with palate-saturating flavors and broad, noble tannins.In Bond£679.00
