December 2022

Winery: Jakobs Vineyard

Wine Maker: Peter-Allan Finlayson 

Winery Location: Hemel en Aarde, South Africa

Varietal(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vivino Score: 4.20/5.00

Retail Price: R250.00

Notes on Wine:

Intrigued by the unique confluence of art and science in the making and appreciation of fine wine, André de Lange, an attorney by profession, dreamt of making his own wine from an early age. In 2001, while still living in Cape Town, he, and his scientist wife Yvonne, were introduced to this small piece of land. It was love at first sight and Jakob’s Vineyards was born.
With only one hectare under vine, Jakob’s Vineyards specialises in producing terroir specific fine wine from its single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon block.

Food pairings: Ribeye steak, olive oil, sea salt, fresh rosemary, black pepper. In that order

Winery: Constantiavale

Winemaker: Kiara Scott

Winery Location: Constantia, South Africa

Varietal(s): 100% Shiraz

Vivino Score: 4.00/5.00

Retail Price: R220.00

Notes on Wine: Constantiavale is the name given to the wine as made by attorney Alan Jeftha and sons Jaimie and Raphael off their small planting of Syrah on their Constantia property next to Eagles’ Nest.

2019 vintage is the second vintage to be released and it’s rather good. Red and blackberries, some herbal character and a hint of pepper on the nose while the palate is light-bodied and energetic with good fruit concentration, bright acidity and crunchy tannins.

Food Pairing: Lamb gyros with red onion and tsatsiki

Winery: Leopards Leap

Winemaker:  Renier van Deventer 

Winery Location: Elim, South Africa 

Varietal(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Vivino Score: 3.80/5.00

Retail Price: R150.00

Notes on Wine: Elim, situated in the Cape South Coast, can be known for harsh growing conditions with strong winds and cooler, sometimes wet summers. With south facing slopes towards Cape L’Agulhas, the vineyards intercept the cool winds from the oceans nearby, ensuring that the grapes sit on the vines for longer. This longer ripening period allows for complex flavour development in the berries, without getting overly ripe.

Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Pinot Noir is a delicate wine with an interesting combination of Old World Burgundy style Pinot Noir and New World fruit driven Pinot Noir. On the nose, red and darker fruit nuances with subtle aromas of cranberry, hints of raspberry and cherry with delicate undertones of tobacco. The palate is layered and complex with a lengthy acidity that gives the wine structure and a long finish. Subtle tannins that compliment the fresh acidity of this wine result in an elegantly weighted wine exceptionally versatile in food-and-wine pairings.

Food pairing: Mushroom risotto

Winery: Steenberg

Winemaker: JD Pretorius

Winery Location: Constantia, South Africa

Varietal(s): 100% Merlot

Vivino Score: 3.90/5. 00

Retail Price: R230.00

Notes on Wine: The 2019 Merlot is a quintessential cool-climate expression of the cultivar: elegant with soft red fruit and characteristic notes of vanilla, tobacco, and cinnamon with a lively edge. The nose offers sour cherry, dried sage and plum, while the smooth palate reveals raspberry preserve, umami and spicy clove. The velvety texture is enhanced by a refreshing acidity, while well-integrated, fine tannins add structure and a dry finish luring you back to the glass.

Food pairing: A tomato-based stew or a mature hard cheese served with briny olives

Winery: Brampton Wines

Winemaker: Richard Duckitt

Winery Location: 69% Petit Verdot, 24% Shiraz, 7% Malbec

Varietal(s): Cabernt Sauvignon, Merot  

Vivino Score: 4.00/5.00

Retail Price: R180

Notes on Wine: Brampton wines are a boutique wine label owned by DGB. They operate out of Stellenbosch from the Bampton Wine Bar.

The Petit Verdot contributes to the muscular structure of the wine while the Shiraz adds a distinctive flavour to the mid-palate. The Malbec adds bright berry-fruit. This wine displays delicious dark black cherries with dark chocolate and spice on the mid-palate and a lingering finish.

Food Pairing: Pizza! The more adventurous the better

Winery: Diemersdal

Winemaker: Thys Louw 

Winery Location: Durbanville, South Africa

Varietal(s): 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc

Vivino Score: 4.10/.5.00

Retail Price: R210.00

Notes on Wine: Classic Bordeaux-style blend; the first wine to be made on the Diemersdal estate.

Deep dark chocolate and enticing cedar aromas appear first on the nose, followed by wafting notes of blackberry jam, cherry and cassis. The firm, well-structured palate features robust yet sweet tannins and a broad range of flavours ranging from black cherry and red fruits carried along by the richness of its oak and vanilla notes. It is long and smooth now, with an intriguing character that will continue to develop with years to come.

Food pairing: Smokey, South Indian eggplant curry

Winery: Robertson Winery

Winemaker: Jacques Roux

Winery Location: Robertson, South Africa

Varietal(s): 100% Chardonnay

Vivino Score: 4.2/5.0

Retail Price: R190.00

Notes on Wine: At the Cellar grapes were soft crushed and sent to the Elite press where the juice was separated into two fractions, the free-run and press juice fractions. Only the free-run juice was used. Juice was partially settled for 12 hours after which it was racked off the heavy lees and taken to new and 2nd fill French oak barrels. Fermentation took place in barrel after which the wine was left on the primary lees and underwent malolactic fermentation.

Rich interlaced aromas of citrus, buttered toast, marmalade and vanilla are prominent on the nose. Zesty acidity cuts the creamy texture on the palate followed by layers of citrus, pear and butterscotch that lingers on the finish.

Food pairings: Butternut, pine nut ravioli tossed in a sage and butter dressing

Winery: Fram

Winemaker: Thinus Kruger

Winery Location: Robertson , South Africa

Varietal(s): 100% Chardonnay

Vivino Score: 3.70/5.00

Retail Price: R120.00

Notes on Wine: Unwooded Chardonnay from the limestone soils between Robertson and Bonnievale.
In the Robertson appellation we find some calcareous soils, and calcium is Chardonnay’s friend.

Calcium helps us in the sense that it gives this wine a brilliantly defined minerality, supported by yellow citrus fruits and an elegant cereal note on the entry of the palate. 2021 was a very good vintage throughout the Western Cape, with wines displaying generous fruit and a fine balance.

The first impression of the FRAM Chardonnay is dominated by the aromas of white stone fruits and yellow, tangy citrus fruits. The palate is caressed by notes of oat flakes and other elegant nuances of cereals, supported by a seamlessly lively freshness.

Food Pairing: Mango, blue cheese, and walnut salad

Winery: Steenberg 

Winemaker: JD Pretorius 

Winery Location: Constantia, South Africa

Varietal(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc 

Vivino Score: 3.9/5.00

Retail Price: R175.00

Notes on Wine: Both terroir and treatment are immediately evident in the glass. A resonance of golden hay, elderflower, white peach and greengage marry on both the nose and palate. Acidity and spice form the backbone, dominating on the palate, while a pithy yet creamy texture rounds out the overall mouthfeel. The textured, juicy palate shows quince, nasturtium and lime.

A lingering herbaceous and mineral finish completes the experience. This wine will be enhanced by a food pairing such as shellfish, or a Thai curry accented by ginger and lemongrass. Drink now, but wait five to seven years for a truly evolved experience.

Food pairing: Bacon and zucchini quiche

Winery: Rustenberg

Winemaker: Murray Barlow

Winery Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Varietal(s): 100% Sauvignon blanc

Vivino Score: 3.80/5.00

Retail Price: R180.00

Notes on Wine: The Rustenberg Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc is grown at some of the highest altitudes that vineyards are grown at in the Stellenbosch region; just over 550m above sea level, right against the Simonsberg Mountain. Made without the influence of oak the wines are aged on their lees for further palate weight and complexity to balance out the wines’ natural acidity.

The intrinsic Sauvignon Blanc characteristics of tropical fruits, melon and gooseberry, with underlying tones of pineapple and passion fruit sustained on a fresh, crisp and well-balanced palate with prodigious length.

Food pairings: Home-made deep fried chicken. Try it! 

Winery: Marras 

Winemaker: Martin Lamprecht

Winery Location: Citrusdal, South Africa

Varietal(s): 100% Chenin Blanc 

Vivino Score: 3.80/5.00

Retail Price: R200.00

Notes on Wine: Grapes were ripened by bush vines on the Piekenierskloof mountain. Hand harvested grapes were cooled overnight. Destemmed, crushed and left for 4 hours to obtain skin contact. Partially natural fermented. Combination of barrel and tank fermentation. Matured on fine lees for 6 months.

Aromas of pear, quince and baking spice. Tastes of fresh juicy pear on the palate and a refreshing aftertaste.

Food Pairings: Roast chicken roll

Winery: Carinus Family Vineyards 

Winemaker: Danie and Hugo Carinus

Winery Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

Varietal(s): Chenin Blanc 

Vivino Score: 3.80/5.00

Retail Price: R170.00

Notes on Wine: Danie and Hugo Carinus have taken some liberty in calling their wine label Carinus Family Vineyards in that they are only very distantly related. They are however good friends and grape growers who supply some of the leading producers in the country from vineyards situated in Devon Valley Polkadraai and the Swartland. Their label has been around for a few years but in 2016 inveigled rising star Lukas van Loggerenberg to oversee production with good result. From a 1981 Swartland vineyard but involving more acute viticulture and a barrel selection in the cellar.

Matured for 10 months in third- and fourth-fill barrel
On the nose you will get some white and yellow stone fruit, as well as honeycomb and potpourri. On the palate it is like biting into a freshly picked green apple, crispy freshness by a focused natural acid. A well balanced weight and lengthy finish.

Food pairing: Best served with a hard cheese on a sunny Tuesday afternoon

Winery: Saronsberg

Winemaker: Dewaldt Heyns

Winery Location: Swartland, South Africa

Varietal(s): 100% Chardonnay

Vivino Score: 3.80/5.00

Retail Price: R240.00

Notes on Wine: Cap Classique from Tulbach made from 100% chardonnay

The wine has a translucent colour with a slight green edge and a prominent mousse. Delicate flavours of toasted biscuit, creamy lees and fresh apple end with a long, elegant, dry finish.

Food pairings: Parma ham and red figs. Creamy, hard white cheese

Winery: Bon Courage 

Winemaker:  Jacques Bruwer & Philip Viljoen

Winery Location: Robertson, South Africa

Varietal(s): 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay

Vivino Score: 3.90/5.00

Retail Price: R230.00

Notes on Wine: The base wine was kept on the lees for 8 months initially during the first fermentation. 10% of the Chardonnay was Barrel Fermented. The “magic of the bubbles” begins during the 2 nd fermentation that occurs in the bottle thereby extending maturation on the lees for 48 – 60 months. After “disgorgement” (removal of the yeast lees) and “dosage” (adding base wine and sugar) the final product is left on the cork and then released.

Fruit driven beautifully poised. Aromas with peace and hints of citrus. Rich creamy flavours with a lively mousse which awakens the palate. A good combination of fruitiness and yeastiness. Noble Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes provide the ingredients for this classy Cap Classique wine, styled on the classic Champagne wines. The palate has both intensity and delicacy. Crisp with a lingering finish. Excellent to enjoy with food, an aperitif or with fresh oysters – a wine for all occasions.

Food Pairing: Salmon gravadlax

Winery: Muratie 

Winemaker: Hattingh de Villiers

Winery Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa 

Varietal(s): 45 % Chenin Blanc, 32% Sauvignon Blanc, 19% Verdehlo, 4% Viognier

Vivino Score: 4.00/5.00

Retail Price: R210.00

Notes on Wine: Laurens Campher was a young German soldier who started farming at Muratie in 1685. This blend is a labour of love, much like Laurens’ love for Ansela van de Caab. Their love was ultimately rewarding, bringing about the birth of their three children, her freedom and the development of a farm that was only officially granted to Campher in 1699 but is still going strong over three centuries later.

For all its freshness, elegance and focus, the wine’s flavours are complex and intense, ranging from bright lemon, fresh pineapple, apricots and juicy nectarine to more concentrated lime marmalade as well as caramel and cream (from barrel fermentation and 11 months of maturation in mostly older French oak). On the palate the initial impression is floral (heady honeysuckle) finishing with white peaches and apricots, with hints of citrus and a fresh acidity – great persistence promising enjoyment over at least five years.

Food pairing: Deboned neck, smoked and drizzled with ginger, honey and soy

Winery: Mullineux

Winemaker: Gynore Hendricks

Winery Location: Swartland, South Africa

Varietal(s): 100% Chenin Blanc

Vivino Score: 3.80/5.00

Retail Price: R130.00

Notes on Wine: Aimed at improving the livelihoods of those who work for the company as well as their families, the Great Heart wine brand is collectively owned by the winery staff, and a portion of all sales under this label go directly to them.

This Chenin has a nose of green and yellow citrus, stone fruit and hint of flint. The palate has lovely texture with a full mouthfeel typical of the Swartand, and this is balanced by a vibrant acidity and some pithy character. The wine has a fresh, mineral finish. Drinking beautifully now and over the next 5 years. Best served at 10 to 12 ˚C.

Food pairings: White fish ceviche served with avo, red onion, and olive oil

Winery: Steenberg 

Winemaker: JD Pretorius

Winery Location: Constantia, South Africa

Varietal(s): 62% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec 

Vivino Score: 3.90/5.00

Retail Price: R175.00

Notes on Wine: The life of Catharina Ras, Steenberg’s remarkable founder is told as a tale of FIVE chapters. The chapters are narrated on a series of different back labels.

The wine expresses an intense dark red hue with a lighter, garnet red on the rim. The nose displays prominently with blackcurrant cassis and notes of fennel, prune and cinnamon. It is a medium to full-bodied wine, showing a silky texture and depth, as well as an elegant tannin structure. Flavours of smooth blackberry jam lead into star anise and ground spice. The mid palate has a juicy cherry compote fruit profile with the acidity tempering a slight richness.

Merlot forms the backbone of this wine with clean, bright fruit which add subtle freshness. The Cabernet Sauvignon brings a formal, earnest profile to the blend and the Malbec rounds it all off with fruit weight. This wine is showing beautifully now and will reward cellaring for up to 5 years.

Food Pairings: Almond crusted beef medallions served on a bed of herb & sundried tomato orzo

Winery: Stellenzicht

Winemaker: Guy Weber

Winery Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Varietal(s): 40% Cinsault, 30% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vivino Score: 4.20/5.00

Retail Price: R175.00

Notes on Wine: People believed that the stone age hand axes they found were the result of lightning striking the soil and shaping the rocks. The Dutch called them “Dondersteentjies”. Stellenzicht’s red blend is our take on the traditional Helderberg blend that consisted of Cinsault, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. This fruit driven wine with delicate tannins is the perfect blend of history and finesse. Made to be enjoyed with friends.

Delicate perfume and intricate aromatics. Prominent red berry fruits, cherries and savoury spices. The palate is medium-bodied brimming with freshness and juicy red fruits. Hints of sweet spice and lacy tannins gives this wine a soft finish.

Food pairing: Fillet on the braai, wrapped in rosemary, seared in whole grain mustard