Wine Advocate (94)

The 2018 Aalto reflects the cooler conditions of the year, with a more austere profile, subtle aromas and a harmonious palate. This is a classic example of modern, ripe and well-oaked Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, which this year feels creamy, juicy and balanced. This follows the path of 2017 with integrated oak (they used only around 20% new oak) and a lively palate in a more drinkable and approachable style. They added some new vineyards from the zone of Boada where the soils are red and the wines bring freshness and lots of fruit. The wine had a shorter maceration with the skins and a softer vinification. This is finer and more balanced, with finesse but still very much recognizable as Aalto. 300,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2020. They have a new white first produced in 2019 and a non-vintage red blend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the winery. They are also going to release small lots of library releases. The 2018s reflect the cooler year and show more integrated oak, following the path of the 2017.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2018 Aalto reflects the cooler conditions of the year, with a more austere profile, subtle aromas and a harmonious palate. This is a classic example of modern, ripe and well-oaked Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, which this year feels creamy, juicy and balanced. This follows the path of 2017 with integrated oak (they used only around 20% new oak) and a lively palate in a more drinkable and approachable style. They added some new vineyards from the zone of Boada where the soils are red and the wines bring freshness and lots of fruit. The wine had a shorter maceration with the skins and a softer vinification. This is finer and more balanced, with finesse but still very much recognizable as Aalto. 300,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2020. They have a new white first produced in 2019 and a non-vintage red blend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the winery. They are also going to release small lots of library releases. The 2018s reflect the cooler year and show more integrated oak, following the path of the 2017.

Vinous (94)

Dark ruby. Strongly perfumed scents of exotic cherry-cola, blackberry, vanilla and Asian spices. Weighty but focused dark fruit flavors offer striking clarity and palate-staining concentration, with soft tannins building on the close. The cola quality lingers on the long, sweet finish. This wonderfully balances richness and vivacity.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2018 PS follows the style of previous bottlings of this wine, selecting plots from La Horra, La Aguilera, Baños and Moradillo, looking for a similar profile of soils and the style of the wine. This is an exuberant, ripe and generously oaked Tempranillo that was matured in new oak barrels for 19 months. It's from a generous crop that was harvested between the 24th of September and the 19th of October, a slow and late harvest of fully ripe grapes that developed plenty of aromas and flavors. It was also a cooler year. This is a long-distance runner. Today, the 2018 Aalto is more approachable and shows better balance. 40,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2020. They have a new white first produced in 2019 and a non-vintage red blend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the winery. They are also going to release small lots of library releases. The 2018s reflect the cooler year and show more integrated oak, following the path of the 2017.

Immerse yourself in the distinguished taste of Aalto Ribera del Duero PS 2019. Born from the fertile soils of Spain's premium wine region, Ribera del Duero, this wine encapsulates the centuries-old grape cultivating traditions and modern winemaking techniques of reputed producer Mariano Garcia. The blend utilises Tempranillo grapes harvested from vines aged over 60 years and is aged 22 months in new French oak barrels to create its robust profile.

On the palate, Aalto Ribera del Duero PS 2019 impresses with a rich tapestry of flavours ranging from black fruits to nuances of cocoa and spices. Its structured tannins and excellent acidity culminate in a long and thrilling finish, making it a splendid complement to an array of dishes.

Commended by esteemed wine critics, this vibrant yet complex wine delivers a seamless fusion of power and elegance. Experience the ultimate indulgence with Aalto Ribera del Duero PS 2019, a testament to the winemaking prowess of Ribera del Duero.

Greg Sherwood MW (96)

A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Syrah and 7% Petit Verdot which was aged for 19 months in French oak, 50% new 400 litre barrels and 50% second fill. A seductively perfumed vintage, the aromatics show alluring notes of violets, potpourri and hits of lily over dark bramble berry fruits with hints of mocha espresso notes that combine with subtle buttered brown toast nuances. The palate shows fabulous elegance and finesse with a soft touch concentration of black currant, Christmas pudding, savoury plum compote and black cherry. The tannins are powdery and fine grained but also structured and drying, combining well with a fresh glossy acidity that keeps the finish focused, vibrant and bright. An impressive wine that not only shows off another great vintage in the Cape but also what is increasingly possible with the superb Anwilka Stellenbosch terroir.

Decanter (97)

The bouquet is full of fragrant black fruits, cinnamon, cumin and Frankincense, the palate beautifully fleshy and textured, carrying cigar box, vanilla, blueberry and silky tannins through to a lingering, richly-fruited, finish. Such refined elegance! Outstanding.

Wine Advocate (95)

The perfumed and elegant 2019 Interpretación is powerful and ripe at 15% alcohol, reflecting the warm and dry vintage. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured for 15 months in barrels, half of them 500-liter ones and 30% of them new. It's a serious and structured red with a classical profile and terrific balance, very fine tannins and a silky mouthfeel through very fine chalky tannins. It's tasty, balanced and long, with stuffing and balance between the components to develop nicely in bottle. This shows the warm year and the hand of a very god winemaker; it is creamy and has good integrated of the oak. 34,563 bottles, 495 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in June 2021.

Matthew Jukes (18.5+)

Plush and packed with cassis, this is a tremendously flashy wine with deep wells of liqueur-like fruit coupled with strident oak and a lovely bright, dry finish. Yearning to be set free, BCSS is like a prize-fighter itching for the bell so it can launch itself at its opponent. This is an amazing Cabernet and while it has the stuffing to go deep into the later rounds, I love its toned flanks and glistening musculature right now.

Platter's South African Wine Guide (97)

(Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year) Power & precision combine in stellar 2019. Ripe black cherry fruit with lifted perfume notes (dab of cab franc, as Franschhoek sibling), fine integrated tannins & fresh, lithe appeal. 75% new French oak adds to muscular richness completing a very fine wine. 5 parcels in Helderberg, Polkadraai & Faure.

Tim Atkin MW (98)

I’m making this for Syrah fanatics”, says Reenen Borman. Lucky them is all I can say, because this is another stunning release from a brilliant young winemaker. Intense, granitic and spicy, with lovely lavender and garrigue aromas, layers of dark, inky fruit, stylish oak and amazing length. What more do you want from a Syrah? 2020-30

The benchmark cuvée from the exceptionally talented Reenen Borman, at the helm of this mythical estate since 2010 - this wine is spoken about in hushed tones amongst experts, critics.

50% whole-bunch fermentation has given the wine monolithic structure, without a single brick out of place. 25% of the wine was raised in 400 litre oak barrels, imparting gentle seasoning and further fine tannins, whilst the remaining 75% was raised in concrete eggs, preserving the fruit's sensational freshness and impossible purity.

Naturally, this wine is infantile due to its quality and structure, but already it displays a mesmeric mélange of violets, dried flowers, herbs and spices on the nose. Positively quivering with energy at this stage, the wine’s acidity shoots like Artemis’ arrow across the palate, losing no momentum through the endless finish. It is hard to overstate the juddering quality of Epilogue – Tim Atkin MW said of the 2017 that it was “now established as one of the Cape’s great Syrahs”... It is now one of the world’s greatest wines.

Tim Atkin MW (92)

Kottabos is all made with grapes from the Polkadraai area and is a southern Rhône-style blend of Grenache and 40% Syrah, benefiting from 60% whole bunches. Easy drinking and engagingly perfumed, with pot pourri and Turkish Delight aromas, candy floss sweetness and nuanced tannins. 2021-25

The Calvo Casajus Ribera Del Duero NIC 2009 is the ultimate testament to the wine-making prowess of Burgos, Spain's Calvo Casajus winery. Considered one of the jewels of Ribera del Duero, it is a product of exceptional craftsmanship and passion. Produced from 100-year-old organically grown Tempranillo grapes, it boasts unparalleled finesse and flavour intensity. The varietal was vinified classically before aging for 26 months in French oak barrels, resulting in a superb balance between fruit and wood.

This grand vintage expresses luscious hints of ripe black fruit, liquorice and cocoa, accentuated by an undercurrent of earthy spices. Its soft tannins and new oak's slight sweetness create a gratifyingly rounded palate. Jose Maria Calvo, the man behind the label, has perfected the fine art of minimal intervention, showcasing the natural excellency of Ribera's unique terroir. Calvo Casajus Ribera Del Duero NIC 2009 truly captures the heart and soul of Spanish viticulture.

Characterised by undying refinement and complexity, the Cape Winemakers Guild De Trafford Reserve Chenin Blanc 2018 is a sterling exhibit of South African artistry. Landed from the sun-drenched vineyards of Stellenbosch, this wine is a creation of acclaimed winemaker David De Trafford. Reserved for the best harvests, the grapes undergo careful selection, ageing on lees for eleven months, imparting this wine with an optimised body and structure.

Each sip unveils a symphony of ripe peach, delicate pineapple, piquant ginger and nuanced nutty undertones, making this full-bodied wine an ambassador of elegance. The Cape Winemakers Guild De Trafford Reserve Chenin Blanc 2018 is an exemplary blend of terroir-driven minerality and vivacious acidity, garnering well-deserved recognition globally. A must-have for collectors and connoisseurs alike, this Chenin Blanc is an embodiment of South Africa's passionate winemaking tradition. Don't miss the chance to savour this rare geolocation's quintessential expression.

Vinous (90)

Bright ruby-red. Sexy, soil-inflected scents of blueberry, tobacco, black tea and spices. Plush, pliant and sweet on the palate, offering considerable immediate appeal and finishing with a fine dusting of tannins and very good length. Not especially complex but delicious and perfumed right now; sweeter and more pliant than the 2013 version but without that wine's lift or tannic clout.

Vinous (91)

Bright ruby-red. Lovely floral lift to the aromas of blackberry, blueberry, tobacco and licorice. Plush, very ripe aromas of medicinal black cherry, dark berries and licorice. An almost creamy style of Cabernet Franc but with a restrained sweetness. Not hugely deep but finishes with sneaky length. Ultimately more complex and gripping than the 2012 version.

Vinous (90)

Bright ruby-red. Musky aromas of black raspberry, smoke, nuts and coffee. Sweet and supple on the palate, with a pliant texture but not quite the consistency of ripeness as the 2009 version. Dark berry flavors are joined by tobacco, truffle and herbs. Here the tannins are a touch green and less refined than those of the 2009, but the finish is still rich and persistent.

Vinous (90)

(15.8% alcohol; Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 7% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc; 40% new French oak): Liqueur-like black cherry, blueberry, mocha and licorice on the nose, along with hints of pepper, fresh herbs and woodsmoke. Hugely ripe, plush and chewy but initially a bit dulled by alcohol. Rich, deep dark berry and chocolate flavors emerged with air. Finishes long, sweet and ripely tannic, with enough acidity to maintain its balance. A major no-holds-barred mouthful of Cabernet.

Vinous (91)

Full ruby-red. Brooding aromas of black cherry, cassis and licorice. Rich, sweet, seamless, plush cabernet with an almost chocolatey ripeness as well as a medicinal reserve to its pliant dark berry flavors. Wonderfully creamy, edge-free wine to drink soon or lay down. But will it be as expansive as the 2012? Lots of dusty tannins here.

Vinous (89)

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from two parcels, blended with 5% Merlot and matured in 35% new oak for 22 months. The bouquet has an attractive bouquet, quite pure with blackberry, raspberry coulis and light tobacco notes. The palate is medium-bodied with tertiary black fruit, cigar box and a touch of fig, nicely proportioned and classic in style with an almost Bordeaux-like finish. One for those who like a more classic-styled Cabernet.

Vinous (89)

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from two parcels, blended with 5% Merlot and matured in 35% new oak for 22 months. The bouquet has an attractive bouquet, quite pure with blackberry, raspberry coulis and light tobacco notes. The palate is medium-bodied with tertiary black fruit, cigar box and a touch of fig, nicely proportioned and classic in style with an almost Bordeaux-like finish. One for those who like a more classic-styled Cabernet.

Wine Advocate (88)

A full range of fruits can be seen with the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon. Red, black and blue fruit are all present on the nose, with oak tones hiding in the back as well as subtle earth and cigar box aromas. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth, dark cherry, cassis and juicy blueberry glide across the mid-palate, showing integrated soft, earthy aromas of leather and inorganic rock, ending with a long finish. This is a pleasing and structured Cabernet with a focused balance. The wine spent 22 months in oak barrels, 35% new. 8,040 bottles were made.

Platter’s Wine Guide (95)

5* Exceptional wine in standout vintage, 'similar to 2007,' per David Trafford. Intense and structured, savoury tapenade undertone to black fruit and morello cherry aromas and flavours, mineral finish. Miniscule yield, just 1.2kg per vine; combo own (Mont Fleur) and neighbour (Keermont) grapes. Follows equally stylish 2016. 22 months oak, 35% new. Unfiltered.