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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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£636.83 |
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Vinous (95)Deep, full orange-gold. Knockout nose offers orange, apricot, cherry, raspberry, mace, nutmeg, honey and flowers. Thick, very sweet and hugely concentrated; like liquid velvet in the mouth but with outstanding energy to its palate-staining orange and apricot fruit. Utterly seamless wine with a palate-staining, lightly saline aftertaste hinting at red berries. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£420.83 |
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Wine Advocate (96)The 2013 Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine was matured in 500-liter barrels for around 36 months. It has a beautiful bouquet with honey, quince, pressed yellow flowers and Mirabelle. It has wonderful definition and purity. The palate is very well balanced with a mellifluous texture and beautifully judged acidity as it just sashays along. It fans out on the finish with honey, quince, a touch of rhubarb and ginger, extraordinarily persistent in the mouth. Matthew Day, current winemaker, opined that he thought the 2012 would be the best ever, but the freshness might see it overtaken. This is awesome. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£425.63 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)South Africa's Sweet Wine of the Year 2017. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£371.63 |
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Decanter (98)An historical wine, Vin de Constance has been re-established in the last few years as one of the world’s finest sweet wines. Dried Muscat grapes are aged for three years before bottling, in French and Hungarian casks with a touch of acacia wood. Citrus, orange zest, rosewater and spice notes leap out of the glass. The palate has a laser-like focus with massive sweetness perfectly balanced by acidity and a mineral finish. As impressive as Château d’Yquem (and considerably better value). |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£395.63 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)Increasingly celebrated as one of the great sweet wines of the world, not just the Cape, Vin de Constance is a delight to taste and review. Slightly drier than the 205 release at 165 grams of sugar, it has more in common with the Loire or Tokaji than it does with Sauternes in terms of freshness and structure. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£405.83 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)"Lighter and lighter" is the motto at Klein Constantia these days, according to Matt Day. The latest, world-class release of Vin de Constance certainly doesn’t lack sweetness at 165 grams or even concentration, but it has a freshness that's reminiscent of Vouvray or Barsac. Subtly wooded in 50% new barrels, it unfurls layers of citrus, toast and tarte tatin, with a drizzle of honey and vivid acidity and palate length. Bravo! |
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Coastal Region | 4 | 19.5++ (MJ) |
Inc. VAT
£339.83 |
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Matthew Jukes (19.5++)I am informed by the top man at Klein Constantia that the price will be the same as last year’s superb 2017 and all of the likely candidates in the UK are likely to hold stock. It will require a little effort on Google and you will see that a large number of wine merchants will list 2018 Vin de Constance and while the prices swing around like no other wine I know, at £60 or so, for a half litre, it certainly makes sense to me and when you consider the sheer quality of this vintage, it is a bargain for this celestial experience. Stock is likely to arrive in September 2021, but do feel free to register your interest with your preferred wine merchant now. Vintage reports suggest that the build-up to the 2018 harvest brought the highest summer rainfall of the last six years and, combined with some of the coldest night-time temperatures on record, the vines were granted a very long and very slow growing season. These conditions have imbued extreme delicacy of perfume and flavour and also staggering concentration and length in this wine. It also means that the 2018 vintage has otherworldly characteristics and I cannot remember a young vintage tasting so refined and demure. Light bunches and tiny Muscat de Frontignan berries underline just how unusual this vintage was and with a harvest that was a fortnight later than average and crops down by about 15% all of these facts make sense when you taste this ethereal wine. Aged for three years in a combination of 50% new French oak barrels, a small number of acacia barrels, as well as large format foudres, this is both a sensual and also sensitive wine. For a start, the colour is incredibly pale – think a young Sancerre! But the viscosity is amazing when you pour a glass because the liquid moves ever so slightly slower and more deliberately into the glass. The lights come on and the brain fires up immediately and it takes you by surprise just how quickly your olfactory system senses that you are in the presence of greatness. I was in a state of heightened anticipation, long before I raised the glass to my lips and the reward is exquisite. The perfume and palate combine in an astral haze of delight with orange blossom, fig, lemon verbena, wild honey and acacia notes caressing your senses. The texture is super-smooth, incredibly long and unnervingly gentle. It certainly possesses the longest finish I can remember on a Vin de Constance and I have, very fortunately, a tasted huge number of vintages of this wine. If you have never tasted this wine before, please start with this vintage – it will blow your mind. If you have and you are a fan, this is a critical purchase for your collection. I cannot wait to add this wine to my cellar later in the year. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£320.03 |
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Decanter (98)Butterscotch, lemon patisserie and peach aromas. Pristine quality to the texture, lively and thrilling, this is a serious, opulent and powerful wine, more on the spiced, nuanced side with aspects of dried herbs, wood scents and bitter lemon and orange with a touch of honeyed lychee. It feels supremely complex and characterful. Sophisticated, layered and balanced with some minerality, a slight graphite edge all of which adds to the whole. It's still extremely youthful but there is real sculpting here, a sense of precision, style and freshness. Well crafted with an extremely long life ahead. A wonder, and one of the best from the estate! |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 93+ (GS) |
Inc. VAT
£141.64 |
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Greg Sherwood MW (93+)The wine is so effortless, brimming full of energy, and really shows off Reenen Borman’s extensive winemaking expertise. Drink this wine now or over 3 to 8 years as it develops more forest floor and savoury bramble berry spice nuances. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£199.24 |
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Decanter (97)Best in Show - Those seeking out reds based on Cabernet Franc beyond their French home are, often enough, looking for a red wine which combines something of the structure and command of Cabernet Sauvignon but with more lift, grace and aromatic refinement. The red wine from this year's brace of South African Best In Show winners fills that role admirably. It's dark in colour, with refined, complex, raspberry and root-spice aromas in subtle and uninsistent style. Look out for bright, pure raspberry fruits on the palate with a further twist of liquorice and gentian. The structure comes more from the wine's quiet, limpid acidity than from any notable tannin presence, further unscoring that accessibility and responsiveness. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£181.24 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)This is "just" the basic Cabernet Sauvignon from Christo Le Riche, but it's a brilliant wine in its own right. Using grapes from ten different vineyards across Stellenbosch in Firgrove, the Helderberg, Jonkershoek, Raithby and the Simonsberg, it's a masterclass in blending. Matured in 18% new wood, it's wonderfully pure and scented, all violet, tar, tobacco leaf and liquorice, with plush yet structured cassis, black cherry and Asian spice flavours and the backbone to age for another decade in bottle. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£186.04 |
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Vinous (94)The 2020 Viognier The Age of Grace has a subtle, well-defined bouquet of detailed lemon sherbet, lemon thyme and crushed pebble scents, poised and, yes, graceful. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, and linear and quite steely toward the almost Chenin-like finish. This is not a flamboyant, Rhône-like Viognier – it’s is far more tensile and racy. It should age extremely well in bottle. |
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Western Cape | 1 | 97 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£499.24 |
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Vinous (97)The 2018 Estate Reserve Syrah contains 50% whole-bunch fruit and is aged in 500- and 700-liter barrels, 30% new. It has an extremely pure, slightly floral bouquet of bright blueberry and black currant fruit infused with scents of crushed iris petals and violets, almost Burgundian in style. The palate is extremely well balanced with perfectly pitched acidity and filigreed tannins. There is an unerring sense of weightlessness about this Syrah, which is one of the most precise Lismore reds I have encountered over several years of tasting. Absolutely stunning. |
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Western Cape | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£410.44 |
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Vinous (94)The 2021 Syrah Estate Reserve, which comes from the vineyard most damaged by the fire in 2020, is 50% whole bunches and aged of 500- and 700-liter barrels, 25% new. The potent nose has raspberry coulis, blueberry and touches of cough candy, taking its time to settle in the glass and lose its initial exuberance. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled, slightly chalky tannins. It’s fresh and vibrant, sapid towards the finish, with a long, Côte-Rôtie-like aftertaste and garrigue notes filtering through with time. This should be afforded a couple of years in bottle and will continue to evolve over the next 15-20 years. Just 12% alcohol, too. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£487.24 |
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Wine Advocate (97)Hands down the best Viognier in the country, the 2022 Estate Reserve Viognier is instantly impressive in the glass. It seduces and captivates with a delicate floral nose that overflows with aromas of just-ripe stone fruits and sweet citrus. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shows considerable weight with agile, succulent acidity before displaying an appropriate level of phenolic bitterness to keep things food friendly and fresh. The wine concludes with an elongated, ever-evolving finish that has me returning for more. Just under 1,600 bottles were produced. If you're a Viognier lover, you must seek out this bottling. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 97 (CE) |
Inc. VAT
£289.24 |
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Christian Eedes (97)Made from own vineyards that survived the fire and what a triumph it is. Matured for 11 months in 500-litre barrels, 40% new. The nose shows white peach, citrus and some struck-match reduction while the palate shows extraordinary concentration and well-integrated acidity before a super-long finish. It’s wonderfully well realized, possessing plenty of depth without sacrificing focus. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£305.09 |
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Vinous (94)The 2021 Chardonnay Estate Reserve is 100% from Greyton matured for 11 months in 500-litre barrels, 40% new. It has a wonderful bouquet with honeydew melon, apricot blossom and light crushed stone scents that percolate through with time. The palate is very well balanced with tropical hints of passion fruit and guava, but the acidity keeps everything on a tight course, very minerally on the finish. Top class. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£268.84 |
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Vinous (96)The 2022 Chardonnay Reserve comprises fruit from the Greyton homestead, which is oxidatively handled and fermented for 11 months in 500-liter barrels (25% new). After swirling to address the reduction, it reveals concentrated scents of dried honey, melted candle wax, orange blossom and a touch of grilled walnut. The palate is well-balanced with mineral-infused, slightly tropical fruit: quince and hints of guava that merge into a more mineral-driven taut finish. Quite a multi-faceted Chardonnay, this will age with style and panache. If that Corton-Charlemagne is a bit over-priced…and it probably is…then you know where to come. |
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Cape South Coast | 40 | - |
Inc. VAT
£462.29 |
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Cape South Coast | 20 | - |
Inc. VAT
£462.29 |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£226.84 |
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Vinous (95)The 2017 Syrah continues to serve as one of the Cape's finest expressions of the variety. Gorgeous scents of raspberry, strawberry, Earl Grey tea and pomegranate seeds feature on the detailed nose; then the palate is lithe and silky, with perhaps more garrigue notes coming through with bottle age. Divine. |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 95 (CE) |
Inc. VAT
£196.84 |
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Christian Eedes (95)46% Grenache, 27% Cinsault and 27% Syrah, grapes sourced entirely from Swartland, the portion of Wellington Carignan that marked previous vintages no longer a feature. Approximately 80% whole-bunch fermentation. Complex aromatics of red and black fruit, rose, fynbos, olive, earth and spice. The palate has good fruit weight (despite a modest alcohol of 13%) to go with bright acidity and crunchy tannins. It’s a very measured wine – approachable without sacrificing character. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (CE) |
Inc. VAT
£187.24 |
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Christian Eedes (95)W.O. Swartland. 44% Grenache Noir, 31% Cinsault and 25% Syrah. 80% whole-bunch fermentation. Whereas quite a few New Wave red wines sacrifice fruit depth for freshness, Lourens seems to achieve both. The nose shows top notes of lavender and fynbos before red and black berries, oliver, pepper and spice. The palate is medium bodied with fresh acidity and chalky tannins. Good fruit definition, lots of intricate flavours, the finish intensely savoury. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 93 (CE) |
Inc. VAT
£151.24 |
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Christian Eedes (93)34% Grenache Blanc from Piekenierskloof, 31% Verdelho from Stellenbosch, 21% Roussanne from Stellenboch and 15% Chenin Blanc sourced from both Stellenbosch and Swartland. On the nose , white peach, potpourri and dried herbs. The palate is light bodied and tightly wound with pure fruit, fresh acidity and a very dry finish. Has a lovely restraint about it. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (CE) |
Inc. VAT
£276.04 |
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Christian Eedes (95)50% Chenin Blanc, 42% Verdelho and 8% Grenache Blanc. Roussanne has been dropped from the mix this year while some of the Chenin Blanc is from the Piekenierskloof Skuinskap vineyard – Lourens opting not to release this as a standalone wine as he felt he left picking too late. Pretty and enticing aromatics of pear, peach, citrus plus hints of potpourri and dried herbs and a little flinty reduction while the palate has a dense core of fruit and comes across as entirely seamless. This is establishing itself as one of the best Cape White Blends around. |
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Coastal Region | 3 | - |
Inc. VAT
£139.49 |
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Experience the alluring intimate character of the Lukas Loggerenberg Geronimo Cinsault 2018. This exquisite 100% Cinsault hails from old bush vines in the Polkadraai Hills of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Noted wine maker, Lukas Loggerenberg, applies precision and authenticity to his minimalist interventionist approach, allowing the vineyards to candidly express their own lush, captivating personality. This vintage is whole bunch fermented and cask aged for nine months in French and Hungarian oak casks, expressing lithe red fruit flavours, layered with spicy undertones and a gratifying freshness. The Geronimo Cinsault's captivating profile is a testament to Loggerenberg’s commitment to signature natural wines. Sip and savour this classic Lukas Loggerenberg Geronimo Cinsault 2018 and delve into the harmonious marrying of earthy tones with soft, tannic textures. This South African gem is a must for discerning oenophiles, an absolute testament to the captivating magic of Stellenbosch terroir. |
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Western Cape | 4 | - |
Inc. VAT
£351.89 |
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Discover the brilliance of Lukas Loggerenberg Trust Your Gut 2020, meticulously bundled by vastly admired South African winemaker, Lukas Loggerenberg. After a harvest from the exquisite Stellenbosch region, the grapes were 100% whole-bunch fermented, delicately handled, and left to mature for a year in old barrels. This simple yet intricate process results in a ethereal blend of distinctive citrus aromas and textured minerality, teeming with elegance and complexity. Lukas Loggerenberg has swiftly received global recognition for his pioneering approach to winemaking, and the Lukas Loggerenberg Trust Your Gut 2020 is a captivating testament to his craft. This wine exudes Loggerenberg's philosophy of 'trust your gut', marrying intuition with artisan skill to create a wine of exceptional balance and depth. A bottle of Lukas Loggerenberg Trust Your Gut 2020 is indeed an experience, a journey in taste that celebrates the winemaker's passion and ingenuity, destined to impress even the most discerning palates. |
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Coastal Region | 10 | - |
Inc. VAT
£186.29 |
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The Lukas van Loggerenberg Breton Cabernet Franc 2018 is a captivating expression of a South African terroir wine emerging from Stellenbosch, the heartland of Cape Winelands. As an ode to his ancestor's Loire Valley origins, the winemaker, Lukas van Loggerenberg, celebrates the elegance of a French-centric style. Harvested from dry farmed vineyards with an intentional low yield, this 100% Cabernet Franc employs whole bunch fermentation in old open-top barrels adding depth and complexity. Aged for 11 months in French oak, it showcases a fragrant nose of raspberry and rose petals complemented by a nuanced palate featuring spice, forest floor and fresh cherries. The tannins are finely grained, supporting a wine that is fruity yet restraint in its character. With only 2000 bottles made, the Lukas van Loggerenberg Breton Cabernet Franc 2018 is a limited production, proving the meticulous craftsmanship of this passionate viticulturist. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£323.09 |
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Experience the aristocratic elegance of the Lukas van Loggerenberg Graft Syrah 2021. Produced by the sensational winemaker, Lukas van Loggerenberg, in the esteemed viticultural region of Stellenbosch, South Africa, this Syrah is a sublime testament to the province's renowned prowess in crafting stellar red wines. Lukas, who was crowned the 2018 Young Winemaker of the Year by Tim Atkin, showcases his unparalleled passion for his craft once again in this impeccable varietal. Employing traditional vinification methods, each grape is hand-picked, cautiously fermented, and matured for 11 months in used French oak barrels to maintain the Syrah's intrinsic character. The result is an exquisitely full-bodied wine, loaded with dark fruit and black pepper notes combined with undertones of smoked herbs and black olives. A sip of the Lukas van Loggerenberg Graft Syrah 2021 represents a journey through the heart of South African wine-making tradition and innovation. |
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Western Cape | 8 | - |
Inc. VAT
£261.89 |
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With a deep commitment to preserving the integrity of their vineyards, Minimalist Wines pride themselves on their prestigious Connect the Dots 2022. This excellent vintage is a testament to a passion for sustainable agriculture and expert vinification practices. Born in the esteemed vineyards of the Bordeaux region, this wine perfectly embodies its terroir's diverse scope. The Connect the Dots 2022 unfolds in a complexity of flavoured layers with muted undertones of ripe fruit and hints of velvety spices. The grapes have been handpicked at the peak of perfection to ensure the best expression of varietal character. This wine is an elegant symphony of nuanced flavours and distinctive minerality that leaves a lingering, opulent finish. Minimalist Wines Connect the Dots 2022 is a testament to a fervent dedication to precision winemaking, and a privilege to savour for those who appreciate the profound elegance of a meticulously crafted bouquet. An exploration of the intricacy and virtuosity encapsulated in an exquisite bottle of wine. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£520.00 |
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Vinous (95)Deep, full orange-gold. Knockout nose offers orange, apricot, cherry, raspberry, mace, nutmeg, honey and flowers. Thick, very sweet and hugely concentrated; like liquid velvet in the mouth but with outstanding energy to its palate-staining orange and apricot fruit. Utterly seamless wine with a palate-staining, lightly saline aftertaste hinting at red berries. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (WA) |
In Bond
£340.00 |
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Wine Advocate (96)The 2013 Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine was matured in 500-liter barrels for around 36 months. It has a beautiful bouquet with honey, quince, pressed yellow flowers and Mirabelle. It has wonderful definition and purity. The palate is very well balanced with a mellifluous texture and beautifully judged acidity as it just sashays along. It fans out on the finish with honey, quince, a touch of rhubarb and ginger, extraordinarily persistent in the mouth. Matthew Day, current winemaker, opined that he thought the 2012 would be the best ever, but the freshness might see it overtaken. This is awesome. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£344.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)South Africa's Sweet Wine of the Year 2017. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (DC) |
In Bond
£299.00 |
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Decanter (98)An historical wine, Vin de Constance has been re-established in the last few years as one of the world’s finest sweet wines. Dried Muscat grapes are aged for three years before bottling, in French and Hungarian casks with a touch of acacia wood. Citrus, orange zest, rosewater and spice notes leap out of the glass. The palate has a laser-like focus with massive sweetness perfectly balanced by acidity and a mineral finish. As impressive as Château d’Yquem (and considerably better value). |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
In Bond
£319.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)Increasingly celebrated as one of the great sweet wines of the world, not just the Cape, Vin de Constance is a delight to taste and review. Slightly drier than the 205 release at 165 grams of sugar, it has more in common with the Loire or Tokaji than it does with Sauternes in terms of freshness and structure. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (TA) |
In Bond
£327.50 |
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Tim Atkin MW (98)"Lighter and lighter" is the motto at Klein Constantia these days, according to Matt Day. The latest, world-class release of Vin de Constance certainly doesn’t lack sweetness at 165 grams or even concentration, but it has a freshness that's reminiscent of Vouvray or Barsac. Subtly wooded in 50% new barrels, it unfurls layers of citrus, toast and tarte tatin, with a drizzle of honey and vivid acidity and palate length. Bravo! |
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Coastal Region | 4 | 19.5++ (MJ) |
In Bond
£272.50 |
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Matthew Jukes (19.5++)I am informed by the top man at Klein Constantia that the price will be the same as last year’s superb 2017 and all of the likely candidates in the UK are likely to hold stock. It will require a little effort on Google and you will see that a large number of wine merchants will list 2018 Vin de Constance and while the prices swing around like no other wine I know, at £60 or so, for a half litre, it certainly makes sense to me and when you consider the sheer quality of this vintage, it is a bargain for this celestial experience. Stock is likely to arrive in September 2021, but do feel free to register your interest with your preferred wine merchant now. Vintage reports suggest that the build-up to the 2018 harvest brought the highest summer rainfall of the last six years and, combined with some of the coldest night-time temperatures on record, the vines were granted a very long and very slow growing season. These conditions have imbued extreme delicacy of perfume and flavour and also staggering concentration and length in this wine. It also means that the 2018 vintage has otherworldly characteristics and I cannot remember a young vintage tasting so refined and demure. Light bunches and tiny Muscat de Frontignan berries underline just how unusual this vintage was and with a harvest that was a fortnight later than average and crops down by about 15% all of these facts make sense when you taste this ethereal wine. Aged for three years in a combination of 50% new French oak barrels, a small number of acacia barrels, as well as large format foudres, this is both a sensual and also sensitive wine. For a start, the colour is incredibly pale – think a young Sancerre! But the viscosity is amazing when you pour a glass because the liquid moves ever so slightly slower and more deliberately into the glass. The lights come on and the brain fires up immediately and it takes you by surprise just how quickly your olfactory system senses that you are in the presence of greatness. I was in a state of heightened anticipation, long before I raised the glass to my lips and the reward is exquisite. The perfume and palate combine in an astral haze of delight with orange blossom, fig, lemon verbena, wild honey and acacia notes caressing your senses. The texture is super-smooth, incredibly long and unnervingly gentle. It certainly possesses the longest finish I can remember on a Vin de Constance and I have, very fortunately, a tasted huge number of vintages of this wine. If you have never tasted this wine before, please start with this vintage – it will blow your mind. If you have and you are a fan, this is a critical purchase for your collection. I cannot wait to add this wine to my cellar later in the year. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 98 (DC) |
In Bond
£256.00 |
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Decanter (98)Butterscotch, lemon patisserie and peach aromas. Pristine quality to the texture, lively and thrilling, this is a serious, opulent and powerful wine, more on the spiced, nuanced side with aspects of dried herbs, wood scents and bitter lemon and orange with a touch of honeyed lychee. It feels supremely complex and characterful. Sophisticated, layered and balanced with some minerality, a slight graphite edge all of which adds to the whole. It's still extremely youthful but there is real sculpting here, a sense of precision, style and freshness. Well crafted with an extremely long life ahead. A wonder, and one of the best from the estate! |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 93+ (GS) |
In Bond
£102.00 |
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Greg Sherwood MW (93+)The wine is so effortless, brimming full of energy, and really shows off Reenen Borman’s extensive winemaking expertise. Drink this wine now or over 3 to 8 years as it develops more forest floor and savoury bramble berry spice nuances. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (DC) |
In Bond
£150.00 |
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Decanter (97)Best in Show - Those seeking out reds based on Cabernet Franc beyond their French home are, often enough, looking for a red wine which combines something of the structure and command of Cabernet Sauvignon but with more lift, grace and aromatic refinement. The red wine from this year's brace of South African Best In Show winners fills that role admirably. It's dark in colour, with refined, complex, raspberry and root-spice aromas in subtle and uninsistent style. Look out for bright, pure raspberry fruits on the palate with a further twist of liquorice and gentian. The structure comes more from the wine's quiet, limpid acidity than from any notable tannin presence, further unscoring that accessibility and responsiveness. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£135.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)This is "just" the basic Cabernet Sauvignon from Christo Le Riche, but it's a brilliant wine in its own right. Using grapes from ten different vineyards across Stellenbosch in Firgrove, the Helderberg, Jonkershoek, Raithby and the Simonsberg, it's a masterclass in blending. Matured in 18% new wood, it's wonderfully pure and scented, all violet, tar, tobacco leaf and liquorice, with plush yet structured cassis, black cherry and Asian spice flavours and the backbone to age for another decade in bottle. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£139.00 |
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Vinous (94)The 2020 Viognier The Age of Grace has a subtle, well-defined bouquet of detailed lemon sherbet, lemon thyme and crushed pebble scents, poised and, yes, graceful. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, and linear and quite steely toward the almost Chenin-like finish. This is not a flamboyant, Rhône-like Viognier – it’s is far more tensile and racy. It should age extremely well in bottle. |
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Western Cape | 1 | 97 (VN) |
In Bond
£400.00 |
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Vinous (97)The 2018 Estate Reserve Syrah contains 50% whole-bunch fruit and is aged in 500- and 700-liter barrels, 30% new. It has an extremely pure, slightly floral bouquet of bright blueberry and black currant fruit infused with scents of crushed iris petals and violets, almost Burgundian in style. The palate is extremely well balanced with perfectly pitched acidity and filigreed tannins. There is an unerring sense of weightlessness about this Syrah, which is one of the most precise Lismore reds I have encountered over several years of tasting. Absolutely stunning. |
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Western Cape | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£326.00 |
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Vinous (94)The 2021 Syrah Estate Reserve, which comes from the vineyard most damaged by the fire in 2020, is 50% whole bunches and aged of 500- and 700-liter barrels, 25% new. The potent nose has raspberry coulis, blueberry and touches of cough candy, taking its time to settle in the glass and lose its initial exuberance. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled, slightly chalky tannins. It’s fresh and vibrant, sapid towards the finish, with a long, Côte-Rôtie-like aftertaste and garrigue notes filtering through with time. This should be afforded a couple of years in bottle and will continue to evolve over the next 15-20 years. Just 12% alcohol, too. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 97 (WA) |
In Bond
£390.00 |
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Wine Advocate (97)Hands down the best Viognier in the country, the 2022 Estate Reserve Viognier is instantly impressive in the glass. It seduces and captivates with a delicate floral nose that overflows with aromas of just-ripe stone fruits and sweet citrus. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shows considerable weight with agile, succulent acidity before displaying an appropriate level of phenolic bitterness to keep things food friendly and fresh. The wine concludes with an elongated, ever-evolving finish that has me returning for more. Just under 1,600 bottles were produced. If you're a Viognier lover, you must seek out this bottling. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 97 (CE) |
In Bond
£225.00 |
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Christian Eedes (97)Made from own vineyards that survived the fire and what a triumph it is. Matured for 11 months in 500-litre barrels, 40% new. The nose shows white peach, citrus and some struck-match reduction while the palate shows extraordinary concentration and well-integrated acidity before a super-long finish. It’s wonderfully well realized, possessing plenty of depth without sacrificing focus. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£235.00 |
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Vinous (94)The 2021 Chardonnay Estate Reserve is 100% from Greyton matured for 11 months in 500-litre barrels, 40% new. It has a wonderful bouquet with honeydew melon, apricot blossom and light crushed stone scents that percolate through with time. The palate is very well balanced with tropical hints of passion fruit and guava, but the acidity keeps everything on a tight course, very minerally on the finish. Top class. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
£208.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2022 Chardonnay Reserve comprises fruit from the Greyton homestead, which is oxidatively handled and fermented for 11 months in 500-liter barrels (25% new). After swirling to address the reduction, it reveals concentrated scents of dried honey, melted candle wax, orange blossom and a touch of grilled walnut. The palate is well-balanced with mineral-infused, slightly tropical fruit: quince and hints of guava that merge into a more mineral-driven taut finish. Quite a multi-faceted Chardonnay, this will age with style and panache. If that Corton-Charlemagne is a bit over-priced…and it probably is…then you know where to come. |
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Cape South Coast | 40 | - |
In Bond
£366.00 |
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Cape South Coast | 20 | - |
In Bond
£366.00 |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£173.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2017 Syrah continues to serve as one of the Cape's finest expressions of the variety. Gorgeous scents of raspberry, strawberry, Earl Grey tea and pomegranate seeds feature on the detailed nose; then the palate is lithe and silky, with perhaps more garrigue notes coming through with bottle age. Divine. |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 95 (CE) |
In Bond
£148.00 |
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Christian Eedes (95)46% Grenache, 27% Cinsault and 27% Syrah, grapes sourced entirely from Swartland, the portion of Wellington Carignan that marked previous vintages no longer a feature. Approximately 80% whole-bunch fermentation. Complex aromatics of red and black fruit, rose, fynbos, olive, earth and spice. The palate has good fruit weight (despite a modest alcohol of 13%) to go with bright acidity and crunchy tannins. It’s a very measured wine – approachable without sacrificing character. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (CE) |
In Bond
£140.00 |
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Christian Eedes (95)W.O. Swartland. 44% Grenache Noir, 31% Cinsault and 25% Syrah. 80% whole-bunch fermentation. Whereas quite a few New Wave red wines sacrifice fruit depth for freshness, Lourens seems to achieve both. The nose shows top notes of lavender and fynbos before red and black berries, oliver, pepper and spice. The palate is medium bodied with fresh acidity and chalky tannins. Good fruit definition, lots of intricate flavours, the finish intensely savoury. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 93 (CE) |
In Bond
£110.00 |
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Christian Eedes (93)34% Grenache Blanc from Piekenierskloof, 31% Verdelho from Stellenbosch, 21% Roussanne from Stellenboch and 15% Chenin Blanc sourced from both Stellenbosch and Swartland. On the nose , white peach, potpourri and dried herbs. The palate is light bodied and tightly wound with pure fruit, fresh acidity and a very dry finish. Has a lovely restraint about it. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 95 (CE) |
In Bond
£214.00 |
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Christian Eedes (95)50% Chenin Blanc, 42% Verdelho and 8% Grenache Blanc. Roussanne has been dropped from the mix this year while some of the Chenin Blanc is from the Piekenierskloof Skuinskap vineyard – Lourens opting not to release this as a standalone wine as he felt he left picking too late. Pretty and enticing aromatics of pear, peach, citrus plus hints of potpourri and dried herbs and a little flinty reduction while the palate has a dense core of fruit and comes across as entirely seamless. This is establishing itself as one of the best Cape White Blends around. |
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Coastal Region | 3 | - |
In Bond
£97.00 |
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Experience the alluring intimate character of the Lukas Loggerenberg Geronimo Cinsault 2018. This exquisite 100% Cinsault hails from old bush vines in the Polkadraai Hills of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Noted wine maker, Lukas Loggerenberg, applies precision and authenticity to his minimalist interventionist approach, allowing the vineyards to candidly express their own lush, captivating personality. This vintage is whole bunch fermented and cask aged for nine months in French and Hungarian oak casks, expressing lithe red fruit flavours, layered with spicy undertones and a gratifying freshness. The Geronimo Cinsault's captivating profile is a testament to Loggerenberg’s commitment to signature natural wines. Sip and savour this classic Lukas Loggerenberg Geronimo Cinsault 2018 and delve into the harmonious marrying of earthy tones with soft, tannic textures. This South African gem is a must for discerning oenophiles, an absolute testament to the captivating magic of Stellenbosch terroir. |
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Western Cape | 4 | - |
In Bond
£274.00 |
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Discover the brilliance of Lukas Loggerenberg Trust Your Gut 2020, meticulously bundled by vastly admired South African winemaker, Lukas Loggerenberg. After a harvest from the exquisite Stellenbosch region, the grapes were 100% whole-bunch fermented, delicately handled, and left to mature for a year in old barrels. This simple yet intricate process results in a ethereal blend of distinctive citrus aromas and textured minerality, teeming with elegance and complexity. Lukas Loggerenberg has swiftly received global recognition for his pioneering approach to winemaking, and the Lukas Loggerenberg Trust Your Gut 2020 is a captivating testament to his craft. This wine exudes Loggerenberg's philosophy of 'trust your gut', marrying intuition with artisan skill to create a wine of exceptional balance and depth. A bottle of Lukas Loggerenberg Trust Your Gut 2020 is indeed an experience, a journey in taste that celebrates the winemaker's passion and ingenuity, destined to impress even the most discerning palates. |
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Coastal Region | 10 | - |
In Bond
£136.00 |
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The Lukas van Loggerenberg Breton Cabernet Franc 2018 is a captivating expression of a South African terroir wine emerging from Stellenbosch, the heartland of Cape Winelands. As an ode to his ancestor's Loire Valley origins, the winemaker, Lukas van Loggerenberg, celebrates the elegance of a French-centric style. Harvested from dry farmed vineyards with an intentional low yield, this 100% Cabernet Franc employs whole bunch fermentation in old open-top barrels adding depth and complexity. Aged for 11 months in French oak, it showcases a fragrant nose of raspberry and rose petals complemented by a nuanced palate featuring spice, forest floor and fresh cherries. The tannins are finely grained, supporting a wine that is fruity yet restraint in its character. With only 2000 bottles made, the Lukas van Loggerenberg Breton Cabernet Franc 2018 is a limited production, proving the meticulous craftsmanship of this passionate viticulturist. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | - |
In Bond
£250.00 |
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Experience the aristocratic elegance of the Lukas van Loggerenberg Graft Syrah 2021. Produced by the sensational winemaker, Lukas van Loggerenberg, in the esteemed viticultural region of Stellenbosch, South Africa, this Syrah is a sublime testament to the province's renowned prowess in crafting stellar red wines. Lukas, who was crowned the 2018 Young Winemaker of the Year by Tim Atkin, showcases his unparalleled passion for his craft once again in this impeccable varietal. Employing traditional vinification methods, each grape is hand-picked, cautiously fermented, and matured for 11 months in used French oak barrels to maintain the Syrah's intrinsic character. The result is an exquisitely full-bodied wine, loaded with dark fruit and black pepper notes combined with undertones of smoked herbs and black olives. A sip of the Lukas van Loggerenberg Graft Syrah 2021 represents a journey through the heart of South African wine-making tradition and innovation. |
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Western Cape | 8 | - |
In Bond
£199.00 |
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With a deep commitment to preserving the integrity of their vineyards, Minimalist Wines pride themselves on their prestigious Connect the Dots 2022. This excellent vintage is a testament to a passion for sustainable agriculture and expert vinification practices. Born in the esteemed vineyards of the Bordeaux region, this wine perfectly embodies its terroir's diverse scope. The Connect the Dots 2022 unfolds in a complexity of flavoured layers with muted undertones of ripe fruit and hints of velvety spices. The grapes have been handpicked at the peak of perfection to ensure the best expression of varietal character. This wine is an elegant symphony of nuanced flavours and distinctive minerality that leaves a lingering, opulent finish. Minimalist Wines Connect the Dots 2022 is a testament to a fervent dedication to precision winemaking, and a privilege to savour for those who appreciate the profound elegance of a meticulously crafted bouquet. An exploration of the intricacy and virtuosity encapsulated in an exquisite bottle of wine. |
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