The second wine of Meerlust's flagship Rubicon wine, the Meerlust Red, due to weather vagaries and Meerlust’s exacting quality requirements is only produced where the vintage is deemed not quite worthy of their flagship red blend Rubicon. Therefore, in rare years, the collector’s Meerlust Red is produced but for a fraction of the price of the Rubicon. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot aged in French oak for 17 months, expect intense fresh red fruit combined w

94 Points - Winemag.co.za. Dornier is a family owned winery situated in The Golden Triangle area of the upper Blaauwklippen Valley Stellenbosch. The primary focus at Dornier lies in the production of premium quality wines with minimal intervention which are expressive to the unique terroir. Donatus Red is a classical Bordeaux blend from 5 vineyards on the slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain. Bursting with flavours of blackcurrant and liquorice. The palate is refined and elegant with silky tannin

95 Points - Greg Sherwood MW. Inspired by the world-renowned wines of the famed ‘Right Bank’ of Bordeaux’s Garonne River, the vision of De Toren Z originated, followed by the maiden vintage release in 2004. The exact same quality, precision and winemaking philosophy that De Toren is so well known for, would be used to craft an equal for the Left-Bank, De Toren Fusion V. This complementary Right-Bank Bordeaux styled wine is today better known as the eminent, De Toren Z. Wine Press Ratings 95 Poin

Meinert Wines produces a small and personalised range of wines in limited quantities from both the hillside Devon Crest vineyard outside Stellenbosch as well as a number of vineyard sites across the Cape Winelands. Their Meinert Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from the cool climate region of Elgin, an area also renown for apples and pears. With a touch of Semillion in the blend (5%) this is a serious Sauvignon, beautifully textured from the extended maturation whilst retaining the complex and fresh a

A small family-owned business, driven by a profound passion for winemaking. The wines for the Pilgrim Wines brand are thoughtfully crafted by the renowned Winemaker Henry Kotzé, previously associated with Morgenster and currently at the iconic Mulderbosch. The vines for their Shiraz produce amazing fruit on the slopes of Stellenbosch Mountain. The production style is aimed at harnessing fruit and extraction, with focus on spice. The palate exudes fine tannins with a long serious focus on the len

95 Points - Falstaff. Pieter Ferreira, often hailed as the "Master of Bubbles" in South Africa, is a highly esteemed winemaker known for his exceptional sparkling wines, particularly the Method Cap Classique (MCC) wines, akin to the traditional Champagne method. In the 2015 vintage of the Cape Winelands, widely regarded as a standout year for winemaking, the ideal climate conditions of mild temperatures throughout the growing season led to even grape ripening. This harmonious ripening, especiall

96 Points - Tim Atkin MW. Keet Wines epitomises viticulturist and oenologist Christopher Keet’s philosophy that the art of viticulture and winemaking lies in the focus, attention to detail and precision nurturing of vine and wine. The grapes are sourced from some of the finest vineyards in the Stellenbosch area including the slopes of the Helderberg, Stellenbosch Mountain, Simonsberg and the Polkadraai area. An understanding of this special terroir, meticulous site selection and attention to det

Handcrafted, traditional, and unhurried – these are the cornerstones of Grangehurst Winery, a boutique wine cellar nestled on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch. The Walker family business took root in 1992 when proprietor Jeremy Walker began acquiring grapes and converted the property's squash court into a wine cellar. Typically, Jeremy only releases his wines once they've aged for at least ten years, ensuring they are beautifully integrated and delightfully smooth. Complex a

94 Points - winemag.co.za. Dornier is a family owned winery situated in The Golden Triangle area of the upper Blaauwklippen Valley Stellenbosch. The primary focus at Dornier lies in the production of premium quality wines with minimal intervention which are expressive to the unique terroir. Donatus Red is a classical Bordeaux blend from 5 vineyards on the slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain. Bursting with flavours of blackcurrant and liquorice. The palate is refined and elegant with silky tannin

90 Points - Platter's. The name Giorgio Dalla Cia will forever be intertwined with the legendary Meerlust Rubicon, an early Bordeaux-style blend that earned him the title of South Africa's Champion Winemaker in 1980 and the distinction of producing the world's finest red blend in 2006. Dalla Cia Giorgio is aged for 18 months in a combination of 80% new and 20% second-fill French oak barrels and boasts a captivating bouquet featuring notes of blueberries, cherries, violets, tobacco leaf, and spic

Angus Paul's unwavering dedication revolves around South African heritage varietals, with a particular enchantment for Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, and Cinsault, while passionately upholding the principles of minimal intervention winemaking. Transient Lands Pinotage is an ongoing project to source, blend and bottle special parcels of Pinotage across the Western Cape and become an expression of each vintage through the grape’s proverbial lens. The blend incorporates Pinotage from diverse locations, ea

92 Points - Tim Atkin MW. The fourth vintage of a very small parcel of Chenin Blanc grapes from the cool climate region of Elgin, Off the Record Chenin Blanc is an exciting project between the Wallace brothers, Mark and Bobby. Barrel-fermented, it exhibits appealing citrus fruit and flint characteristics, reminiscent of Pouilly-Fumé in style, with a rich, creamy mouthfeel. Wine Press Ratings 92 Points - Tim Atkin MW Tasting Note Barrel fermented in French Oak (2nd, 3rd and 4th fill) with partial

This exquisite Chenin Blanc is the fruit of a solitary hilltop vineyard nestled in the Polkadraai Hills, celebrated for its exceptional Chenin Blanc. Here, ancient vines flourish in rocky granite soils, caressed by the invigorating Cape South Easter winds, resulting in a Chenin Blanc that is not merely a wine but a vivid, mouthwatering revelation, brimming with vitality and charm. Tasting Note This vintage open in body and tight in texture: kelp, citrus creams and apples jump forth. The palate i

Meinert Wines produces a small and personalised range of wines in limited quantities from both the hillside Devon Crest vineyard outside Stellenbosch as well as a number of vineyard sites across the Cape Winelands. Their Meinert Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from the cool climate region of Elgin, an area also renown for apples and pears. With a touch of Semillion in the blend (5%) this is a serious Sauvignon, beautifully textured from the extended maturation whilst retaining the complex and fresh a

93 Points - Tim Atkin MW. Ken Forrester Wines The FMC is a premium Chenin Blanc wine produced by Ken Forrester Vineyards in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The FMC stands for "Forrester Meinert Chenin", named after the winemaking partnership between Ken Forrester and Martin Meinert. This wine is made from old vines of Chenin Blanc, which are known for producing high-quality and intense flavours. The FMC is a complex and richly textured wine that exudes aromas of apricot, honey, and roasted almonds.

91 Points / Silver Medal - IWSC. The Morgenster Lourens River Valley is an exquisite wine artfully crafted from classical varietals, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Inspired by the Bordeaux style, the winemakers set themselves apart by choosing extended ageing, which elevates the wine's complexity. On the palate, a harmonious blend of cassis and raspberry fruit flavours mingles seamlessly with impeccably balanced cedar oak, while a subtle undercurrent of smoke and s

92 Points - Tim Atkin. Long recognised for producing world-class wines, Meerlust Estate has been the pride of the Myburgh family since 1756. Today, the traditional dedication to the art of winemaking continues under the guidance of Hannes Myburgh, eighth generation custodian of this seventeenth-century national monument. Brick red colour with crimson edge. Typical Merlot characteristics on the nose with ripe plum and dark cherry notes underpinned by some dried herbs and oak spice. The palate is

Cooled by the prevailing breeze from the False Bay coast located a mere 5km away, the growing season here is more moderate compared to the hot inland temperatures of the Western Cape. Sourced from 6 different vineyard blocks situated on the Estate, the oldest vineyards were planted in 2007 on predominantly decomposed granite soils giving a greater fruit expression. Vineyards planted on the lower weathered shale and greywacke soils express more citrus and delicate fruit aromas. The result is a be

95 Points - Wine Safari, Greg Sherwood MW. An Iconic wine of South Africa, the Meerlust Rubicon is a wondrously rich, polished and complex wine with a palate full of ripe fruits and silky smooth tannins. A classic 'New World Bordeaux Blend' of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot, the latest iteration of this classic wine from the hot 2018 vintage has the ageing potential of upto 30 years. Simply fantastic value for a world class wine.   Taste Winemakers tasting note: "V

A blend of Shiraz (37%), Petit Verdot (24%), Merlot (19%), Grenache (10%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), the Thelema Mount Red is a must have everyday red. Generous and juicy fruit with soft tannins and a long finish, perfect for those long winter nights by the fire or summer BBQ. About the Producer Situated on the South Easterly side of the Simonsberg Mountain with elevations 530m above sea level with mainly south-facing slopes, possessing some of the highest elevations in Stellenbosch. The hig

93 Points - Greg Sherwood MW. A rich, silky Cabernet Sauvignon from the outstanding Thelema Mountain Vineyards. Thelema have firmly entrenched themselves as one of the leaders in Cabernet Sauvignon, placing Stellenbosch Cabernet’s firmly on the global wine map. 18 months spent in barrel, 45% of which is new French oak, along with careful hand sorting have produced a truly elegant and complex Cabernet Sauvignon. About the Producer Situated on the South Easterly side of the Simonsberg Mountain wit

This is an utterly delicious white that tastes very much like barrel-fermented Chardonnay - perhaps from Burgundy. It is rich and sumptuous, with creme anglaise, pineapple, butter and delicate wood character. Intense, with a sustained, flavoursome finish. The wine's story makes it even more fascinating. When visiting friends in Zurich, Martin Meinert was introduced to a white wine made with Merlot grapes from Ticino - the southern, Italian, part of Switzerland. He loved it so much that he resolv

Bronze Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards. South Africa's signature grape variety, Pinotage is a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, with more of a similarity to Shiraz. The ultimate BBQ friendly wine, this Pinotage from Meinert is blended with a small proportion of Merlot to produce this multi award winning, elegant and refined wine. If you love Pinotage, look no further, if you have never had a Pinotage or yet to be convinced, this is a must try. About the Producer Meinert Wines is a small pr

92 Points - Tim Atkin. This elegant and complex Merlot from the beautiful Stellenbosch region in South Africa is polished with layers of generous dark fruit, concentrated flavours on the palate and soft, polished tannins with hints of mocha and spice, this is a wonderful winter warmer. Taste Winemakers tasting note: The wine shows bright, red fruit and hints of spice on the nose, with concentrated flavours on the palate and soft, polished tannins. Hints of dark chocolate complete this wonderfull