Vinous (90)

From vines planted in 2010, the 2017 Hemelrand Vine Garden was matured in old neutral barrels and cement egg. It has a clean, pure bouquet of lemon curd, albumen and light yellow flowers. The palate is well balanced, with a taut line of acidity, and quite saline in the mouth. The sharp, slightly flinty finish oddly reminds me of a mature Chablis. Very fine.

Vinous (93)

The 2018 Hemelrand Vine Garden is whole-cluster-pressed and matured in oak and foudres. It has a very seductive bouquet of honeysuckle, passion fruit and hints of beeswax that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a saline opening, plus a fine bead of acidity. There is a light saline lick toward the finish that becomes nuttier with aeration, although this does not quite deliver the complexity of Alheit’s best Chenin Blancs. Still, it is a lovely white blend that should age with style.

Decanter (98)

Delicate yet formidable, this wine’s dense, multiple layers of complex texture and flavour speak eloquently. There’s fresh raspberry and graphite, rhubarb and red earth, dark plum and ironstone, and a suggestion of sage and nutmeg among blackberry bite, caressed by fine tannins. Sourced from only 200 vines planted in the 1950s, this 0.27ha micro-terroir boasts red-brown earth over limestone with traces of iron, providing fruit of rare depth and concentration. More sensuous and ethereal that its raw-boned sibling Alkina Polygon 5, but their common characteristic is extraordinary length of the purest flavours.

Decanter (98)

Delicate yet formidable, this wine’s dense, multiple layers of complex texture and flavour speak eloquently. There’s fresh raspberry and graphite, rhubarb and red earth, dark plum and ironstone, and a suggestion of sage and nutmeg among blackberry bite, caressed by fine tannins. Sourced from only 200 vines planted in the 1950s, this 0.27ha micro-terroir boasts red-brown earth over limestone with traces of iron, providing fruit of rare depth and concentration. More sensuous and ethereal that its raw-boned sibling Alkina Polygon 5, but their common characteristic is extraordinary length of the purest flavours.

The World of Fine Wine (98)

Red and purples. There is a complex yet glorious aroma to this wine. Blueberries, spices, chocolate. Wonderfully fragrant. the texture is compellingly supple. Finely balanced and with a pleasing flick of vibrant acidity. Cherries emerge on the palate and a tobacco-leaf/cigar-box note (reminiscent of a fine Cohiba Siglo VI). Chalky the tannins might be, but they quickly dissolve into something wonderfully cushiony and gentle. Elegance personified. A superb Grenache.

The World of Fine Wine (98)

Red and purples. There is a complex yet glorious aroma to this wine. Blueberries, spices, chocolate. Wonderfully fragrant. the texture is compellingly supple. Finely balanced and with a pleasing flick of vibrant acidity. Cherries emerge on the palate and a tobacco-leaf/cigar-box note (reminiscent of a fine Cohiba Siglo VI). Chalky the tannins might be, but they quickly dissolve into something wonderfully cushiony and gentle. Elegance personified. A superb Grenache.

The World of Fine Wine (97)

Even darker in colour than No. 3, and the aroma here is a little more closed at even this early stage, not quite as alluring. Warm earth, chocolate, black fruits, a hint of woodsmoke. This is more burly, more concentrated. Excellent complexity. The tannins here are not as cashmere-like - more chalky and firmer, more mouth-coating; perhaps more what one expects from Grenache. Fuller in flavor, great structure, bright acidity, and a very long finish. Another superb wine and again, a great future. Indeed, this would seem to have an even longer-focus than No. 3.

The World of Fine Wine (97)

Even darker in colour than No. 3, and the aroma here is a little more closed at even this early stage, not quite as alluring. Warm earth, chocolate, black fruits, a hint of woodsmoke. This is more burly, more concentrated. Excellent complexity. The tannins here are not as cashmere-like - more chalky and firmer, more mouth-coating; perhaps more what one expects from Grenache. Fuller in flavor, great structure, bright acidity, and a very long finish. Another superb wine and again, a great future. Indeed, this would seem to have an even longer-focus than No. 3.

Vinous (93)

A burst of mocha and clove is balanced by dusty black cherries and savory herbs as the 2017 La Poja blossoms in the glass. This is a heady and extroverted expression with a pretty inner sweetness contrasted by tart black fruits and inner herb tones. Dark chocolate, cloves, hints of vanilla and candied lavender can all be found through the incredibly long and palate-staining finale. The 2017 finishes lightly structured. For all of its extroverted character, the La Poja boasts only three grams of residual sugar per liter. This may be a big wine, but the balance is remarkable.

Tim Atkin MW (95)

You know class when you taste it, and this is certainly that. Deservedly established as one of South Africa's most consistently outstanding Chardonnays, this has the structure and concentration to age, with no malolactic at all, 22% new wood and complex, nuanced, stony flavours of lemon zest, oatmeal and stone fruit – Drinking to 2028

Halliday Wine Companion (97)

From the estate's highest vineyard block situated on the eastern ridge of the Barossa foothills, and is a quite lovely example of shiraz grown in a temperate climate. It's medium-bodied, the bouquet full of spice, red fruits, rose petals and cherry blossom characters all translating straight to the long, supple palate. Tannins and oak are part of the backdrop, simply providing the finish of the wine.

IWSC (97)

Very classy wine with nicely judged oak that adds vanilla spice to the tropical fruit and toffee apple flavours. Perfectly poised with crisp acidity and an elegant, long finish.

Experience the sheer elegance of Charla Haasbroek Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, artfully crafted under the skilful hands of winemaker Charla Haasbroek. This artisanal wine is produced in the renowned Stellenbosch region of South Africa, famous for its optimal grape-growing conditions. Charla's meticulous winemaking approach, aligning traditional methods with innovative techniques, results in Cabernet Sauvignon of distinctive character.

The wine displays rich dark fruit aromatics, underscored by nuanced notes of leather and spice. On the palate, it reveals a robust structure with velvety tannins and a harmonious balance achieved through 18 months of French oak barrel maturation. The Charla Haasbroek Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 could be described as a modern classic: a wine that pays homage to its varietal heritage with a discernible expression of its unique terroir.

Ly celebrated for her dedication to crafting authentic wines that echo their origins, Charla Haasbroek's Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is a sublime testament to her passion and expertise.

Wine Advocate (99)

At the top of the pyramid is the 2005 Syrah Astralis Vineyard. It is sourced from a vineyard planted in 1920 and is one of the Syrah cuvees in which 100% new oak is utilized (along with Brookman, Hickinbotham, and Piggott Range). It delivers an ethereal bouquet of smoky oak, violets, espresso, black pepper, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Densely packed and tightly wound, all it needs is time. The wine is totally harmonious, impeccably balanced, and exceptionally long. When it fully unwinds, even my high rating will appear conservative. Its only competition comes from the likes of Guigal, Chapoutier, Chave, Krankl, and Ringland.

Wine Advocate (97)

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2009 Astralis presents a very fruity, floral nose with lifted notes of blueberries. The palate is concentrated with a slight prune character and has very crisp acidity. At this stage the phenolics are showing a little chewy before finishing long. Drink it now to 2027+.

Wine Advocate (96+)

The deep garnet-purple 2011 Astralis offers a nose redolent of Christmas pudding, allspice, mocha and anise along with a lovely core of prunes, black cherry preserves and dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with elegant, effortless fruit, with a medium level of finely grained tannins, just enough acidity, and a long and multi-layered finish. Drink it 2015 to 2030+.

Nestled in the rich Southern McLaren Vale region, the Coriole Lloyd Reserve Shiraz 2013 is an exquisite embodiment of Australian excellence. This pre-eminent Shiraz, crafted by prominent winemaker Coriole Vineyards, charms with a bold, full-bodied profile encapsulating intense fruit flavours dappled with notes of savoury spice and dark chocolate. Each grape is attentively selected from the oldest vineyard plantings, dating back to 1919, ensuring a superior quality yield. The meticulous fermentation process in open-top vessels, followed by ageing in French oak barrels, bestow a distinguished depth and complexity that leaves a lingering palate impression.

Bearing the name of the Lloyd family, who established Coriole in 1967, the Coriole Lloyd Reserve Shiraz 2013 carries a legacy mirrored in its striking character and robust structure. Unquestionably, it's a testament to Coriole’s enduring commitment to create wines that captivate with their elegance and remarkable drinking pleasure.

Tim Atkin MW (95)

Cuvée Cinéma is sourced from the top end of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley from a clay- shales vineyard planted in 2009. The stems were unusually mature in 2019, so Peter-Allan Finlayson added 70% whole bunches. The result is sappy, spicy and quite dense, with effortless concentration, black cherry and plum fruit, sinewy tannins and good ageing potential. 2022-29

Tim Atkin MW (95)

Part of a brilliant line up of Pinot Noirs from Crystallum in 2020, this is a wine with evident tannin and extraction - more Nuits-St-Georges than Chambolle-Musigny perhaps - with plenty of grip, dark cherry and raspberry fruit, subtle 20% new wood and added complexity from 40% whole bunches.

Tim Atkin MW (95)

Jacob's Vineyard on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge - also the source of Crystallum's Clay Shales Chardonnay - supplies the grapes for Cuvée Cinéma, which sits mid-way between Bona Fide and Mabalel in style. Perfumed, intense and grippy, with orange zest, cranberry and forest floor notes and well-handled 20% new oak.

Vinous (94)

Saturated ruby. A highly perfumed, spice-accented bouquet evokes ripe dark fruits, pipe tobacco, mocha and candied flowers. Palate-staining blueberry, cherry liqueur, licorice and fruitcake flavors show excellent depth as well as vibrancy. The floral and spice notes return on the impressively long, focused finish, which is framed by smooth, late-arriving tannins.

Wine Advocate (98)

This is a deeply communicative and articulate wine that boasts immense power and persistence. The 2010 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is a creation of enormous beauty and unflinching intensity. The wine speaks at loud volumes with black cherry, spice, tarry smoke, barbecue marinade and grilled rosemary. Those balsam notes add length and continuity to the bouquet. In the mouth, the wine is complete and penetrating. It wraps thickly over the palate to soothe and entice your taste buds. Yet there is enough crispness to keep it from feeling cloying or too heavy. There is a point of tannic astringency on the finish that will accompany this wine over the next decade of its aging evolution. For that reason, it's best to wait before popping the cork on this memorable vinous experience.

James Suckling (97)

A decadent nose of treacle tart, chocolate, tar, tons of black fruit such as blackberries and mulberries and even ash and licorice. A dense, layered mouthfeel makes for a full-bodied palate that's explosive yet somehow so refined and pretty all at the same time. The finish goes on and on. Incredible now, but better to wait for this giant to settle well into 2020.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is my favorite wine in the retrospective, along with the amazing 2011, 2009 and 1996 vintages. This wine was released at the beginning of this year, and because Dal Forno skipped over the 2014 vintage, this is the only Amarone we will see for a while (until the highly anticipated 2015 is released). The 2013 vintage is characterized by a slightly more streamlined mouthfeel (which isn't saying much given the baseline enormity of these wines) with carefully etched aromas of black cherry, rum cake, dark chocolate and toasted espresso. The 2013 vintage was balanced overall without the sudden heat waves we saw in the summers of 2011 and 2012. The grapes finished a slow and steady ripening process over an extended growing season. The effect is graceful and focused. Put this bottle aside in your cellar for the decades to come.