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 | |||||
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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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Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£187.24 |
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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 | 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 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£199.24 |
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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. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£803.09 |
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Wine Advocate (98)From the first sniff, the 2020 Columella is an instant champion that is pointing and swinging for the fence. With its fresh frame of fruit and expertly layered oaky essences, the wine is incredibly complex as it bursts from the glass with precision and finesse. Medium-bodied and with 13.5% alcohol, the Columella somersaults into a phantasmagoria of bright crunchy red fruit flavors and seductive floral essences that makes my head spin. Collectors will take note and add a couple of bottles of this to their cellar. It’s an absolutely stellar bottling that will age gracefully for decades. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£323.09 |
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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. |
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Coastal Region | 8 | - |
Inc. VAT
£307.49 |
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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. |
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Western Cape | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£163.24 |
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Vinous (96)The 2020 Rocking Horse is a blend of 35% Sémillon, 28% Roussanne, 16% Chardonnay, 15% Chenin Blanc and 6% Clairette Blanche, whole-bunch-pressed and matured in used oak. It has a well-defined, flor-like bouquet offering brioche, grilled walnut, bales of straw and smoke. The fabulous palate presents a sensual honeyed texture effortlessly counterbalanced by acidity. Very harmonious, revealing dried honey, walnut and ginger on the finish. This is a masterclass in winemaking and it will age brilliantly in bottle... if you can resist pulling that cork. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
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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Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£140.00 |
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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 | 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 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£150.00 |
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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. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
£650.00 |
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Wine Advocate (98)From the first sniff, the 2020 Columella is an instant champion that is pointing and swinging for the fence. With its fresh frame of fruit and expertly layered oaky essences, the wine is incredibly complex as it bursts from the glass with precision and finesse. Medium-bodied and with 13.5% alcohol, the Columella somersaults into a phantasmagoria of bright crunchy red fruit flavors and seductive floral essences that makes my head spin. Collectors will take note and add a couple of bottles of this to their cellar. It’s an absolutely stellar bottling that will age gracefully for decades. |
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|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£250.00 |
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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. |
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|
|
Coastal Region | 8 | - |
In Bond
£237.00 |
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|
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. |
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|
|
Western Cape | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
£120.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2020 Rocking Horse is a blend of 35% Sémillon, 28% Roussanne, 16% Chardonnay, 15% Chenin Blanc and 6% Clairette Blanche, whole-bunch-pressed and matured in used oak. It has a well-defined, flor-like bouquet offering brioche, grilled walnut, bales of straw and smoke. The fabulous palate presents a sensual honeyed texture effortlessly counterbalanced by acidity. Very harmonious, revealing dried honey, walnut and ginger on the finish. This is a masterclass in winemaking and it will age brilliantly in bottle... if you can resist pulling that cork. |
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