90 Points - IWSC. The 2022 Off the Record Syrah marks the third vintage of this remarkable wine, crafted from a small parcel of Shiraz grapes grown on a truly exceptional site. Nestled high on the Ceres Plateau, this vineyard is rooted in nutrient-rich Bokkeveld shale soils and thrives at an extraordinary altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level. One of the rare South African vineyards blanketed by snow in winter, it produces grapes of remarkable character and intensity. With only 3,960 bottles

91 Points - Tim Atkin. No. 42 is more than just a number—it’s a celebration of South Africa’s most iconic home-grown variety, Pinotage, and the noble cultivars that gave it life. Crafted from carefully selected vineyards across Ceres Plateau, Bottelary Hills, and Durbanville, this blend brings together Pinotage, Pinot Noir, and Cinsaut in a seamless expression of structure, elegance, and depth. Aged for 18 months in a combination of French and American oak, it delivers layers of dark fruit, spic

Weltevrede's Poet's Prayer Chardonnay 2022 is a compelling expression of Robertson terroir. The estate's commitment to showcasing site-specificity is evident in this balanced and elegant wine. A complex array of citrus and stone fruit, nuanced by a subtle minerality, leads to a textured palate with vibrant acidity and a lingering sense of poise and depth.  Vivino Rating 4.4 (March 2025) Taste  On the nose, a complex array of citrus and stone fruit is nuanced by a subtle minerality that speaks to

96 Points - Greg Sherwood, MW. The 2019 Bill Winshaw is a Cape Bordeaux blend that embodies Winshaw Vineyards’ heritage and precision. Led by 82% Cabernet Franc, with 6% each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot, it balances finesse and power. Aged for 20 months in barrel (50% new oak), it unveils luscious red cherry, cranberry, and cassis aromas, lifted by fresh herbs, rose, and a hint of pencil shavings. The medium-bodied palate is vibrant and structured, with silky tannins, bright acidit

Swerwer's 2021 Cinsault-Grenache-Tinta Barocca: A vibrant, minimal-intervention blend from the Western Cape. Expect bright red fruit and herbal notes. Light-bodied, fresh, and versatile; enjoy chilled with light fare. A true taste of South Africa's adventurous winemaking. Vivino Rating 4.3 (March 2025) Taste Swerwer's 2021 Cinsault-Grenache-Tinta Barocca: Ruby hue, vibrant red fruit (cherry, raspberry), floral notes, and a touch of garrigue. Light-bodied, fresh, with fine tannins and a clean fin

94 Points - Greg Sherwood, MW. The 2019 Winshaw Vineyards Charles Winshaw is a bold, Bordeaux-style blend showcasing the depth and complexity of Stellenbosch. Made from 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, and smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this wine is aged for 20 months in oak barrels, resulting in a rich, structured wine with layers of dark fruit, spice, and subtle oak influence. A perfect balance of power and finesse, it’s a standout expression of Winshaw Vineyards’ commitment

A sophisticated expression of Franschhoek’s terroir, The Max 2019 is a meticulously crafted Bordeaux-style blend that balances power with precision. The nose is deeply layered, revealing cassis, black cherry, and plum, interwoven with cedar, tobacco, and graphite. The palate is structured yet polished, with finely grained tannins supporting a core of dark fruit, savoury spice, and mineral complexity. Aged in French oak, the wine’s elegance and depth promise remarkable ageing potential, yet its r

A bold reimagining of Sémillon from the heart of Stellenbosch. Fermented on skins, this striking wine delivers layers of citrus, beeswax, and savoury spice, with a rich texture balanced by vibrant acidity. Complex, structured, and built to evolve, it’s a Sémillon that pushes boundaries while staying true to its origins. Vivino Rating 4.2 (March 2025) Taste A striking take on Sémillon, the 2021 Pound of Flesh is richly textured yet vibrant. Aromas of preserved lemon, beeswax, and white peach lead

93 Points - Tim Atkin MW. The Waterford Estate Single Vineyard Grenache is a refined and elegant expression of one of the most captivating varietals grown in Stellenbosch. Sourced from a meticulously tended single vineyard, this wine highlights the nuanced characteristics of Grenache, offering a rare balance of ripe fruit and savoury complexity. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Mar 2025) Wine Press Ratings 93 Points - Tim Atkin MW (2022 Vintage) Taste The nose invites with fresh aromas of red cherries, subtl

94 Points - Tim Atkin MW. Crafted from the finest Helderberg vineyards, Waterford Estate Kevin Arnold Shiraz is a masterful showcase of balance, depth, and complexity. Named after Waterford’s founding winemaker, this refined Shiraz embodies both power and precision—perfect for those who appreciate a structured yet expressive red. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Mar 2025) Wine Press Ratings 94 Points - Tim Atkin MW (2019 Vintage) Platter’s Wine Guide (2019 Vintage) Taste Rich aromas of dark berries, violet

It’s a bold claim to say a wine – especially a Shiraz – is unlike anything you have ever tasted, but in the case of the De Toren Black Lion Shiraz, it happens to be true. As De Toren puts it, ‘The Black Lion wine is the heirloom of years of winemaking in De Toren’s continuous quest for perfection’. Planted on ancient soils with specially selected vines and nurtured by hand manicuring and individual attention, nothing is left to chance. Irrigation is kept to a minimum and the vines are treated or

No South African wine is as revered or acclaimed as the Book 17 of De Toren Private Cellar. This Western Cape wine is produced from a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. The vines are planted on poor, free-draining soils which force them to dig deep into the sand and granite soils in search of nutrients, reducing the vines’ vigour and imparting complexity. Once they have reach optimum ripeness, the grapes are hand-harvested and rushed to the press house. Here

The Bacco Estate Vermentino 2024 isn't your standard South African wine. Inspired by Italy's Super Tuscans while being produced in South Africa's super-premium Paarl district, it's a wine with a story to tell. Vermentino is still quite a rare find in South Africa, but with Bacco Estate’s soils and cool climate, it's made itself quite at home here. Taste Fresh, fragrant and floral on the nose, the Bacco Estate Vermentino offers an enchanting blend of peaches, pear drops and jasmine with a clean c

95 Points / Gold Medal - IWSC. Bacco Estate Red Blend is the flagship wine from one of Paarl’s rising stars. Crafted from a Bordeaux-inspired blend with a nod to Italy’s Super Tuscans, it’s a bold, expressive red that combines Old World structure with New World intensity — a wine with serious pedigree and undeniable character. Wine Press Ratings 95 Points / Gold Medal - IWSC (2021 Vintage) "Elegant nose showcasing blackcurrant and well-integrated oak. Ripe tannins meld seamlessly with hints of d

A refined and expressive take on South Africa’s iconic varietal, with a captivating nose of blueberry, raspberry, and violet, complemented by subtle dark chocolate and toasted almond notes, this Pinotage offers both vibrancy and elegance. The palate is smooth and well-structured, showcasing vibrant fruit and a lively, youthful finish. A beautifully balanced wine that highlights the best of Pinotage in its purest form. Vivino Rating 4.3 (March 2025) Taste A complex aromatic profile, beginning wit

The Bacco Estate Prelude Red Blend takes inspiration from Italy’s Super Tuscans but is unmistakably South African. Crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot in Paarl’s premium terroir, it’s a wine that marries Bordeaux structure with a distinctly South African flair. Wine Press Ratings Bronze Medal Winner - IWSC (2021 Vintage) "Aromas of black fruit and dried tea with well-integrated flavours of ripe berries and leather." Taste Deep crimson with ruby highlights, this blend opens with a

Arguably the greatest dry Chenin Blanc in South Africa, the Ken Forrester The FMC is a revelation of a wine. Awarded 89 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards, the FMC – ‘Forrester Meinert Chenin’ sets a new standard for South African Chenin. Crafted from a tiny plot of ancient vines, long skin contact and careful use of oak give a wonderfully textured, full-flavoured wine. Melons, pears, peach stones and mouth-watering greengages are supported by nutty oak, minerals, and a fresh, kiwi fruit a

Crafted from the finest parcels in the Franschhoek Valley, Elysium 2018 is a bold yet refined Bordeaux-style blend. Layers of black cherry, cassis, and dark chocolate intertwine with subtle oak spice and graphite, creating a wine of depth and elegance. Silky tannins and vibrant acidity lead to a long, structured finish, promising excellent ageing potential. Vivino Rating 4.6 (March 2025) Taste A rich and expressive Bordeaux-style blend, the 2018 Elysium opens with deep aromas of black cherry, ca

93 Points - Greg Sherwood, MW. A bold yet refined expression of this classic varietal, the nose opens with an enticing bouquet of black currant and black cherry, underscored by rich notes of mocha chocolate and a hint of chargrilled meat. On the palate, the wine is both plush and vibrant, with concentrated flavours of blueberries and crème de cassis, complemented by a delicate trace of cherry kirsch liqueur. A standout example of Stellenbosch Malbec, this wine shows great finesse and complexity.

Paul René Chardonnay Brut 2020 is a shining example of South African Cap Classique, with 92 points from John Platter. This family-crafted sparkling wine from Robertson offers elegance and finesse, showcasing the exceptional quality that’s put Paul René on the map. Wine Press Ratings / Awards Gold Medal - IntercontinentalWineChallenge (2020 Vintage) Gold Medal - LumaAward (2020 Vintage) Taste Aged for 44 months on the lees, this Chardonnay Brut offers a refined, champagne-like profile. Fresh appl

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 tannins. On the palate, flavours

Nothing is left to chance with the De Toren Private Cellar Patronus Malbec. Taking its name from the Latin for ‘patron’, this is a wine where winemaking is turned not just into an art form, but into an obsession. The tiny harvest goes through an incredibly stringent selection process with only the finest old Malbec vines on the property being considered for use. Once chosen, individual bunches are selected at harvest and then, post-destemming, individual grapes. Following a long, yet cool, ferme