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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1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£162.80 |
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Vinous (94)The 2020 Red Blend is 100% whole bunch matured in old French oak. It has a lovely, quite bold and expressive, succulent dark cherry and cassis-tinged bouquet that bursts from the glass. The palate is the ripest of Rall's portfolio with grippy tannins that frame the layered dark berry fruit laced with white pepper and black tea. Nicely proportioned and very persistent on the finish. Excellent. |
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1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£174.80 |
||||||
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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5 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£181.24 |
||||||
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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|
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2 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£177.49 |
||||||
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
£174.80 |
||||||
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
£183.49 |
||||||
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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|
|
10 | 95 (CE) |
Inc. VAT
£184.84 |
||||||
Christian Eedes (95)71% Chenin Blanc, 26% Verdelho and 3% Viognier. Matured for 10 months in a combination of concrete egg, foudre and older barrels. Subtle and alluring aromatics of pear, peach, citrus, fynbos and again a touch of reduction while the palate is relatively lean and tense – very pure and focussed, the finish long and dry. A wine of great refinement. Alc: 13%. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£100.13 |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£95.99 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)"I fell in love with Chardonnay through Chablis," says Craig Wessels and you can see that influence here. Reflecting the coolness of the 2021 vintage, this is taut, focused, stony and engagingly mouth-watering, with effortless concentration, notes of brine, lanolin and lemon juice and extra layers of complexity from old barrels and amphoras. |
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|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 97 (GS) |
Inc. VAT
£114.40 |
|||||
Greg Sherwood MW (97)This attractive Hemel-en-Aarde Cabernet Sauvignon is fabulously dense and textured with multiple layers of creamy tannins coating the opulent fruit concentration. Full and glycerol in the mouth with refreshing acids, bright creme de cassis, black cherry and earthy baked plum fruit nuances. This vintage shows all the classic 2017 vintage elegance, focus and intensity with impressive mouthfeel and superb balance. You know this is something very special from the very first sip and certainly could be Craig Wessel’s finest Cabernet effort to date. Drink now and over 15+ years. |
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|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£109.49 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)Named after the two blocks that supply its raw material, Main Road & Dignity is a very rare example of a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hemel-en-Aarde region. Picked late in a cool site, it has cassis, bay leaf, fresh herb and damson flavours, grippy tannins, appealing zip and freshness and the concentration to age. |
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|
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Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£164.66 |
|||||
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 |
|||||
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 |
|||||
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 |
|||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£233.15 |
|||||
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 |
|||||
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
£238.32 |
|||||
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 | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£219.49 |
|||||
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
£223.84 |
|||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£214.69 |
|||||
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. 2020-24 |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£191.15 |
|||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 3 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£123.49 |
|||||
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. |
|||||||||
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£115.00 |
||||||
Vinous (94)The 2020 Red Blend is 100% whole bunch matured in old French oak. It has a lovely, quite bold and expressive, succulent dark cherry and cassis-tinged bouquet that bursts from the glass. The palate is the ripest of Rall's portfolio with grippy tannins that frame the layered dark berry fruit laced with white pepper and black tea. Nicely proportioned and very persistent on the finish. Excellent. |
|||||||||
|
|
1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£125.00 |
||||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
5 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£135.00 |
||||||
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 |
|||||||||
|
|
2 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£130.00 |
||||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£125.00 |
||||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
1 | 97 (CE) |
In Bond
£135.00 |
||||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
10 | 95 (CE) |
In Bond
£138.00 |
||||||
Christian Eedes (95)71% Chenin Blanc, 26% Verdelho and 3% Viognier. Matured for 10 months in a combination of concrete egg, foudre and older barrels. Subtle and alluring aromatics of pear, peach, citrus, fynbos and again a touch of reduction while the palate is relatively lean and tense – very pure and focussed, the finish long and dry. A wine of great refinement. Alc: 13%. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | - |
In Bond
£80.00 |
|||||
|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£77.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)"I fell in love with Chardonnay through Chablis," says Craig Wessels and you can see that influence here. Reflecting the coolness of the 2021 vintage, this is taut, focused, stony and engagingly mouth-watering, with effortless concentration, notes of brine, lanolin and lemon juice and extra layers of complexity from old barrels and amphoras. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 97 (GS) |
In Bond
£92.00 |
|||||
Greg Sherwood MW (97)This attractive Hemel-en-Aarde Cabernet Sauvignon is fabulously dense and textured with multiple layers of creamy tannins coating the opulent fruit concentration. Full and glycerol in the mouth with refreshing acids, bright creme de cassis, black cherry and earthy baked plum fruit nuances. This vintage shows all the classic 2017 vintage elegance, focus and intensity with impressive mouthfeel and superb balance. You know this is something very special from the very first sip and certainly could be Craig Wessel’s finest Cabernet effort to date. Drink now and over 15+ years. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£88.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)Named after the two blocks that supply its raw material, Main Road & Dignity is a very rare example of a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hemel-en-Aarde region. Picked late in a cool site, it has cassis, bay leaf, fresh herb and damson flavours, grippy tannins, appealing zip and freshness and the concentration to age. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£120.00 |
|||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£120.00 |
|||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£83.00 |
|||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£118.00 |
|||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
£175.00 |
|||||
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. 2022-32 |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
£170.00 |
|||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
In Bond
£180.00 |
|||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£165.00 |
|||||
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. 2024-32 |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£170.00 |
|||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£161.00 |
|||||
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. 2020-24 |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£140.00 |
|||||
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. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 3 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£85.00 |
|||||
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. |
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