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

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

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

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

95 Points - Tim Atkin. De Toren Private Cellar, established in the late 1990s and located in Stellenbosch, South Africa, is renowned for its high-quality Bordeaux-style wines that beautifully capture the unique terroir of the region. The iconic Left Bank-based blend, De Toren Fusion V is meticulously crafted from Bordeaux’s ‘Noble Five’ varietals and, with its complex flavours of dark sour cherry, a spiciness of tobacco, and a hint of aniseed, it offers a stylish departure for sophisticated oeno

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

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

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

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. Vivino Rating: 4.3 (Apr 20

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

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

91 Points - Tim Atkin MW. Nikela 2009 is a “Cape Blend” of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz & Merlot. The word “Nikela” (pronounced “Ni-care-la”) is a Nguni (Xhosa/Zulu) word meaning “to offer a gift of dedication, respect or a tribute to one’s ancestors” - this wine being a tribute to winemaker Jeremy Walker’s late parents, Eddie and Betty, who contributed greatly to the establishment of Grangehurst, which was named after their childhood homes - “The Grange” and “Hurst Close” - in Engla

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

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

91 Points - Winemag This is a gorgeous cabernet sauvignon from Dornier in South Africa. Located 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. Their Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon has an exuberance of concentrated fruit, intense black cherry colour with a full bouquet of cassis, black berries, cigar box, pencil shavings and subtle oak and a hint of mint to ensure

91 Points - Greg Sherwood MW. From a small plot planted in 1986 at 230 meters above sea level, the different soil types contribute to the complexity and many facets of this wine. The Moordernaarskloof (Murderers Gorge) Chenin Blanc has delicate scents of wild flowers and fruit, especially Cape Honeysuckle, white peaches, and pineapples, with an underlying minerality. The palate fully matches the nose with a creamy sensation and a texture that combines elegance and intensity, along with concentra

92 Points - Tim Atkin MW. Handcrafted, traditional & unhurried are the key watchwords of Grangehurst Winery and their flagship wine is a blend of three Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The vineyards are located on the coastal part of Stellenbosch and the quality of the grapes is positively influenced by the cool southerly summer sea breezes that blow across False Bay. With over 15 years of bottle age, the Grangehurst is wonderfully smooth and complex. Vivino Ra

Handcrafted – Traditional – Unhurried. Grangehurst Winery is a boutique wine cellar on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, aged for 15 years in their own cellar before release, this particular wine is a must try, full-bodied barrel matured red wine with smooth, ripe tannins, especially if you like a great quality Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot / this wine has the benefit of not having to age in the bottle yourself. Typically, Jeremy only releases his wines once they are beautifu