South Africa

58% Shiraz, 14% Cinsault, 14% Tinta Barocca, 9% Mourvèdre, and 5% Grenache Noir. Small parcels of selected fruit are sourced from seven vineyards on Kalmoesfontein farm and from their neighbours with good tasting grapes. The 2021 AA Badenhorst is their 16th release of this appellation wine. The aromas are brooding but with complex notes of pepper, liquorice, perfume, and black cherries. The palate entry is quite dense with lavender and dark berry fruit. The finish is dry with well spread tannins ending with savoury and black currant flavours.  

This is the 13th vintage of Secateurs Red blend bottled under the Badenhorst Family Wines. The Shiraz brings a spicey perfumy edge to final blend. The Cinsault component will ensure excellent ageing and enough suppleness for drinking young. As you know most of the great old wines of the Cape had a good dollop of Cinsault in them – called Hermitake in those days! The Grenache is from young vines and also contributes beautifully to the aromas and mid palate grip. The aromas are perfumed, peppery, spicy and exhibit ripe red fruit notes. As always, the palate texture of this style of wine is supple, smooth on the entry but with enough grip...

Brambly blackcurrant leaf and cassis vie with a heady violet perfume for prominence on the bouquet. The palate is effortlessly sleek and suave with understated elegance being the watchword. Perfectly ripe fruitcake flavour can be found, along with cassis and brambles, cedar spice and delicious subtle succulence contributing to the warm, comforting texture. Harmony of fruit and wood is superb. Layered, textured, complex and refined, it lingers long on the palate. Undoubtedly a wine for the ages, which will mature with distinction.  #2017D

A new venture for the Boekenhootskloof team. ‘”I went much lighter in 2021″ says Gottfried Mocke of his Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir, which saw 25% whole bunches and 60% blonde-toasted new barrels. Juicy, bright and perfumed, it’s a blend of the 115 and 777 clones, with raspberry fruit, a herbal twist and savoury tannins. 2023-27’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2022, 91/100.

Platter Guide Winery of the Year 2020. Tim Atkin MW 95 points. Platter 5 Stars. “The Franschoek Cab is jaw-droppingly elemental and granite soaked. I am completely flabbergasted. Make a disorderly queue now!’ Matthew Jukes.

The nose is delicate and refined, shy and very brooding at first, yet alluring with intense dark berry fruit and classic graphite aromas. The entry is smooth and silky, with flavours of blueberries, blackberries, dark liquorice and garrigue adding complexity to a dense, well-structured mid-palate. The wine is richly textured, concentrated, austere and elegant, with its powdery, dusty, fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity to balance an attractive herbaceous streak. Boysenberry and cocoa powder linger in the mouth, with gentle hints of aniseed and black cardamom.

From the Boekenhootskloof stable. A red blend with the dominant grape Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) stemming from the Helderberg Mountain as well as the Cinsault (5%), while the  Syrah (5%) is from a south-facing Polkadraai Hills. A fresh and inviting nose with a warm baked-spice character following through onto a smooth palate and a finish that is attractive, clean and refreshing.   ‘Boekenhoutskloof's winemaker Marc Kent is famous for his Syrah wines – his Syrah, The Chocolate Block, has been a Majestic staple for years – but this red blend show's he's no one-trick pony. Cabernet Sauvignon with just a...

Buy 6 or more and pay 69sgd/bottle. Platter Guide Winery of the Year 2020. Platter 5 Stars Tim Atkin MW 96 points. Singularly composed of grapes grown on the slopes of the Helderberg mountains, Boekenhoutskloof’s Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon stands as a paragon of rich South African red wine. The exquisitely small grapes yielded in 2018 enrich this Cabernet with robust fruit flavours of blackberry, cassis, and stewed plum, overlaid with herbaceous shades of black tea and bay leaf. Sourced from the unique soil types of Stellenbosch’s alpine terrains, this blend bears bold mineral depths and a full-bodied charcoal finish. As the...

‘Gottfried Mocke sources this Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon from two growers - one on the Helderberg, the other in Stellenbosch Kloof - to produce what is always the denser than its companion Franschhoek bottling. Inky and grippy, with top notes of menthol, mocha and dried herbs, lots of energy and vibrancy and a core of plum, blueberry and cassis. 2025-35’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2023, 95/100.  

Platter Guide Winery of the Year 2020. Tim Atkin MW 96 points. Grapes grown on their Porseleinberg and Goldmine properties – their first vintage claiming Wine of Origin Swartland. 100% Syrah, matured for 18m in 2500L foudres and 600L demi-muids. Deep ruby red colour. Aroma deep and plush, with a blue-black profile – black cherries and earth being the essence of the fruit core. Full fruit with perfect balance, acidity and length. Very young still – mature until 2023+. #2017D

Buy 6 or more and pay 69sgd/bottle. Platter Guide Winery of the Year 2020. Tim Atkin MW 97 points. Given that 80% of Boekenhoutskloof’s Syrah now hails from Porseleinberg (the remainder is from Goldmine), it’s no surprise that this is such an impressive wine. Fermented with 40% whole bunches, it’s subtle, scented and almost delicate, with filigree tannins, rose petal top notes, some clove and nutmeg spice and a hint of oak. Drink 2022-30. 97 Points, (Tim Atkin MW)

‘Given that 90% of its raw material comes from Porseleinberg – the other 10% comes from Boekenhoutskloof’s Roundstone property – it’s no surprise that this is such an impressive Syrah. Fermented with 65% whole bunches, it combines fynbos, lavender and Asian spice aromas with a palate of white pepper, barbecued meat, oregano and blackberry framed by sappy, granular tannins. World class. 2025-35’ –  Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2023, 97/100.  

Platter 5 Stars. “One of SA’s international big hitters with nearly 200,000 cases made, excluding smaller (375 ml) & larger bottle formats. From Swartland, 2022 seamless syrah-led Rhône-ish blend (dab of cab), wholeberry ferment in concrete & steel, 5% new oak, down from 10% in 2021 (4.5 stars, 94 pts), mostly barrique. Juicy red & black fruit seasoned with fresh herbs, fynbos & earth. ” –  Platter Guide 2024 5*.

The Grenache-dominant 2021 Elpidios begins with a bright nose of dark cherry skin with hints of herbal elements before expressing dusty red flowers. Medium-bodied, the palate offers a savory, spiced tart plum essence before notions of potpourri spice sway with succulent acidity and fine-grained tannins. This beauty ends with a delightfully food-friendly finish that has me craving duck breast and wild game. It's the best Elpidios yet! Begin drinking in 2024. 2024-2041’ – Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 96/100.  

‘”The 2022 vintage humbled us,” says David Sadie, but brilliant winemakers shine in adversity. This scented, refined, very lightly wooded Grenache has lots of granite-derived freshness and minerality, red cherry, raspberry and pomegranate flavours and succulent, textured tannins. 2023-30’ –  Tim Atkin MW 94/100.  

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 93+ points. Composed of 38% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 9% Carignan and 7% Pinotage, the 2020 Elpidios comes from 12 different vineyards and was made from 50% whole-cluster fruit. On the nose, the wine offers soft herbal hints of mint and menthol with a delightful undertone of wild brush before swaying with a red-fruited nature and delicate dusty essence. Medium-bodied and with 13.5% alcohol, the wine is juicy and mineral on the palate and offers delightful herbal essences across the structured mid-palate. The wine glides to a delightfully minty finish that will remain food-friendly for over a decade....

Tim Atkin MW 95 points, South Africa Report 2020. Gold Medal and 95 points, IWC 2020. Winery Note: Deep, purple core. Rich, berry fruit nose with lots of ripe, red plum and whiffs of white pepper. Some floral notes in the background, including violets, lavender, and spring blossoms. Full in the mouth with tremendous youthful vigour. Layers of berry fruit with developing spices of pepper, cinnamon, clove and vanilla. Gentle oak integration shows and supports the elegance and roundness at this early age. #2017D

Tim Atkin MW 93 points. 4 stars Platter. This wine has notes of red and black berry fruit, white pepper and spice. The palate is finely structured, showing an array of ripe fruit and floral undertones, with a lingering aftertaste. Winemaker: Carl van der Merwe Varietal blend: 44% Grenache Noir 29% Mourvédre 21% Syrah 6% Petite Syrah #2017D

Tim Atkin MW 94 points. From the oldest vineyards on the Estate, the Delaire Graff Banghoek Reserve Merlot is a raconteur weaving the tale of the property’s humble beginnings. Expressions of the site’s splendour, with its rich earthiness and bountiful fruit, are interwoven as flavours of warm spice are enriched with dark plum. Matured in 80% new French oak for 16 months, its serene beauty is personified by silky tannins yielding a luxurious elegance. Single vineyard wine.

Tim Atkin 94 points. "From premium Stellenbosch vineyards, the Delaire Graff Botmaskop is a meticulously handcrafted blend of noble red varietals. Whole berry fermented to ensure gentle extraction of flavours and matured in 50% new French oak for 16 months, the Botmaksop is a classically styled blend. Powerful, yet elegant and polished, it displays aromas of dark berry fruit, spice and cassis. The softness of tannins and balance in structure complete this wine on the palate."   Decanter World Wine Awards 2024, Gold Medal.  

Platter 4.5 Stars. Double Gold Medal Veritas 2020. Trophy, KWV Best Fortified 2021. 44% Tinta Barocca and 56% Touriga Nacional VINIFICATION Directly after picking, the grapes were cooled to 5°C, crushed and cold-soaked for five days. Thereafter, the grapes underwent a cycle of gentle punch downs six times per day and were then fortified with a combination of wine and un-aged brandy spirits when the desired sugar levels were reached. The wine was matured in 20-year old oak barrels for 12 months and was released only after a further 12 months of bottle maturation. TASTING NOTES Uplifting and beautifully weighted. Polished red berry fruit...

This juicy, ripe and approachable Shiraz with its ruby colour and purple tints has a spicy white pepper undertone as well as lavender and dark red fruit aromas of mulberries. It is characterised by versatility, demonstrating a smooth and soft palate with a savoury finish.

Christian Eedes, Winemag “ Named in honour of 19th century American naturalist and author Henry David Thoreau. Grapes from the western slopes of Klapmuts. 20% whole-bunch fermentation. Fermented and matured for 16 months, 80% in French oak and 20% in terracotta. The nose shows cranberry, cherry, cassis and rose plus a subtle and attractive grassy quality. The palate has good weight and texture – succulent fruit, bright acidity and fine tannins, the finish long and dry. At 13.75% aclohol, it’s pretty much pitch perfect – neither under- or overdone.  94/100 “.   Chris Williams of The...

AWARDS / RATINGS Christian Eedes: 97 points Oz Clarke: 95 points Platter’s Guide – 5* / 95 points. Tim Atkin 95 points. ‘Even more, respect, if that’s possible, for Stellenbosch property Kanonkop after tasting the new releases… the Cab 2017 setting a new benchmark for what can be achieved with this variety locally.’ – Christian Eedes, 97/100 The Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is dark and brooding, with intricate aromas of oak spice, black berry coulis, graphite powder, tilled earth, wet tobacco and chai tea. The palate is luxurious and utterly elegant, with layered flavours of blackcurrants,...

PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 17: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE PONDOKRUG CAB FRANC 17: 94 pts TIM ATKIN (MW). Only 1370 bottles produced.   The Pondokrug Cabernet Franc 2018 is bright blood red in colour. The nose is a deep, complex and intriguing mix of bright red cherry fruit, cloves, and some typical pyrazine character. The palate is firm and structured with subtle cherry and black current flavours with hints of herbal mountain vegetation (fynbos). The dusty, chalky tannins hold the fruit flavours into a long, succulent and dry finish. Drink 2024-2036.  

STEEPSIDE SYRAH 17: 4 ½ stars PLATTER GUIDE STEEPSIDE SYRAH 17: 96 pts TIM ATKIN (MW). Planted in 2005 on the steep mid-slopes of the Helderberg Mountain range, the Steepside Syrah vineyard sits at an elevation of 300m. Vines grow in red clay loam soils with high levels of iron and quartzite originating from the peaks above. The combination of these deep granitic soils and the intensity of the sunshine on the North facing ridge allows the vineyard to produce wines with power and structure, while the spicy herbal aromatics can be attributed to the elevation and the pristine fynbos flora that surround it. All grapes used in...

27% Merlot; 27% Cab/sauvignon; 22% Cabernet franc; 14% Syrah; 5% Malbec; 5% Petit verdot Selecting the best fruit from several vineyard sites on the farm, starting in 2015 Alex has created a blend each year which is distinctive, unique, and portrays the character of our superb terroir. This blend is the Keermont Amphitheatre. Only 4600 bottles/100 magnums produced.   ‘An effort to make a “Grand Vin” distinctive of the property. 27% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Red and black berries plus some leafiness on the nose. The palate has all the substance...

CAB 20: 92 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous). Dark ruby red in colour, this vintage has a vibrant bouquet of ripe red berry fruit, cassis, vanilla pudding, and a hint of dried herbs. The pallet is soft and rich. The tannins are round and gentle, while the natural acidity keeps the ripe fruit in check. Savoury notes of cocoa and cloves add character to the bright red strawberry and mulberry flavours which linger into a long, luscious, juicy finish. Drink 2023 – 2035.  

Our two Merlot vineyards are High Road with heavier clay and more rocky soils (altitude 330m) which leans toward more dense and concentrated wine; and Homestead Merlot (altitude 260m) in lighter, loamy soils which leans toward more elegant wine. We follow a traditional winemaking philosophy which means indigenous yeast fermentation, no adjustment to acid or alcohol, maturation in seasoned oak barrels and bottling by hand with little or no filtration. This wine spent 19 months maturing in French oak barrels before being bottled on 28 October 2021. A total of 11720 bottles and 101 magnums were produced. TASTING NOTE The Keermont Merlot 2020...

Tim Atkin MW 96 points. “Deep, royal red in colour the Steepside Syrah has a brooding dusty red fruit character on the nose with hints of white pepper, cloves and fynbos. The palate is soft and full with a gentle chalky tannin structure. Ripe spicy fruit flavours are complimented by notes of herbs and pepper. The delicate flavours and tannin linger into a succulent dry finish. Drink 2020-2028.” – winemaker’s tasting notes. (2 840 bottles produced) Planted in 2005 on the steep midslopes of the Helderberg Mountain range, the Steepside Syrah vineyard sits at an elevation of 300m. Vines grow in red clay loam soils...

Tim Atkin MW 97 points. (2 822 bottles produced) The Topside Syrah vineyard is situated high up on the West facing midslopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain range at an elevation of 350m. It was planted in 2006 on rocky soils consisting of sandstone and granite, weathered from the peaks above. Vines are unirrigated and the elevation, soil and aspect all contribute to a spicy character with natural acidity, and a fine tannin structure. The views from the top of this vineyard West to Table Mountain are simply breathtaking.   “Dark plummy red in colour, the Topside Syrah 2018 is shy at first, but opens into a beautiful bouquet of...

SYRAH 18: 4 ½ stars PLATTER’S GUIDE SYRAH 18: 93 pts TIM ATKIN (MW) SYRAH 18: 93 pts NEAL MARTIN (Vinous). Keermont Syrah 2018 has a bright blood red colour with a lighter hue. The bouquet is enticing with strawberries and other red fruit and notes of sandal wood, tea leaf, cloves, and orange rind. The wine has a gentle entry onto the palate. It exudes vibrant flavours of cherry and raspberry, complimented by savoury spice, and a vanilla note. A soft, but tight tannin structure and good natural acidity keep the flavours focused into a tidy succulent finish. Drink 2023-2033.   A blend of three Syrah parcels fermented...

Second wine of Anwilka. A great cooperation success between Bruno PRATS (Château Cos d'Estournel), Hubert DE BOUARD (Château l'Angélus) and Klein Constantia. The name "UGABA" refers to a tradition of the Xhosa people, the second language group in South Africa after the Zulu. The Xhosa leaders designated warriors who had distinguished themselves by valiant deeds of bravery as UGABA men whose mission would be to maintain peace and order. Varietal: 56% Shiraz, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec 14.5% alcohol. Harvested by hand in crates, sorted before and after destemming, crushed over...

Tim Atkin 93 points.   Tasting Notes Very deep, youthful colour with an intense garnet hue. The nose shows dark and red fruit mixed with a slight mint note. Still young and intense, the palate is structured and packed with ripe blue berries and wonderfully elegant tannins. Dark chocolate and salted liquorice on the finish. This is a powerful vintage despite the challenging season and will provide great complexity with further maturation.   Ageing Potential 10 - 15 years, provided wine is stored in ideal cellar conditions.   Blend Information 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Tim Atkin 96 points. "Very deep, youthful colour, and intense almost purple hue. Very classic Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedar wood and intense spiciness. A typical liquorice note also evident on the nose. Still young and intense, promising further maturation potential. The palate is full bodied, structured but packed with fresh dark fruit and rounded, linear tannins."  

Porseleinberg is the result of Marc Kent’s search for the best Syrah grapes, a journey that inevitably took him to the Swartland. It was here that Kent found an isolated and windswept wine farm perched atop the Porseleinberg mountain. The site is now recognised as one of the greatest Syrah vineyards in the world.   "Given its consistently outstanding quality, it’s easy to forget that the average age of Porseleinberg's 14 hectares of vineyards is only seven years' old. Showing what Callie Louw calls a "little more crunch" in 2021, this is a Syrah with time on its side. Wild herb aromas of sage, oregano...

Rich aromas of blackberries, cassis, eucalyptus and dark chocolate follow through to a smooth palate that is both balanced and well-rounded with fine grained tannins.

Tim Atkin 95 points. The Peter Barlow, derives it’s name from the man who bought the property and lovingly restored it to become a South African icon in the wine industry. Being made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the oldest vineyard on the estate, the Peter Barlow is a rich, robust varietal example of the exceptional quality and ageability of Cabernet made on the Estate and in the Simonsberg region. A highly collected wine which will age gracefully under the correct cellaring conditions.

Recognised globally as one of South Africa’s top five wine estates, Rustenberg is also one of the oldest in the Cape. In 1941 the Rustenberg Farm, which sits 6km north of Stellenbosch, was bought by Peter Barlow. Vineyards producing the grapes for Rustenberg wines climb the rich red slopes of the Simonsberg and Helderberg; a range of slopes and aspects allows site-specific plantings that enhance varietal characteristics. With a long and very proud history of producing exceptional wines, Rustenberg’s winemaking style is simple: produce quality wines true to the style of the estate and the brand. Named after a former Rustenberg...

"This is fragrant and polished with aromas of peach pits, sandalwood, cherry stones, hazelnuts and orange zest. Fabulously intense, building on the palate to a crescendo, slowly, with supple and very fine tannins giving an elegant structure to the fruit and spice. Elegant and immensely long. Syrah, mourvedre, carignan, cinsault, grenache and tinta barroca." James Suckling 97  

This is the fourth vintage of this wine after re-planting. Our idea has always been to make what is basically a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from this unique vineyard. It is not a true single-vineyard in that we have blended in barrel selections of the best of our other vineyards. The Cabernet has a very intense cassis aroma with unique citrus-rind notes. It has a firmer tannin structure than many of our wines, but still with the elegance for which Jonkershoek Valley wines are known. This wine is based around the highest elevation vineyard on the estate, which at 550m is arguably one of Stellenbosch’s highest Cabernet vineyards....

Platter 4.5 stars. WINEMAKER’S NOTES WINEMAKER: CRAIG MCNAUGHT The name pays homage to the Roman poet, Ovid, who is quoted on the front label of this wine: “Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it there will be a fish.” Despite a really tough vintage in 2018, this wine shines through. Always an early ripener, our Tempranillo was harvested in the first week in February, just before the searing heat we experienced later on that Summer. As has become protocol with this wine, we meticulously hand-picked, hand-sorted and destemmed each bunch before a 6 day pre-ferment cold...

VITICULTURE Sourced from a 1-hectare vineyard at Fijndraai in Stellenbosch on heavily de-composed granite soils and just 4 km from False Bay. The vineyard is North-West facing and managed by Chris Williams. Planted in 2005, the Foundry Grenache Noir 2020 is the fourth vintage. The vineyard is starting to come into its own in terms of quality and site expression. The vines are trellised which allows us to manage the canopy precisely to enhance fruit, complexity and balance. A small crop was ripened under the perfect conditions of 2020 and harvested at modest sugar levels, but at full flavour ripeness to ensure lower alcohol but...

VITICULTURE This is the first vintage from our own vineyards in the Voor Paardeberg, planted in 2000. The vineyards are planted on low vigour, well-drained, granitic origin soils. The vines are managed to retain a healthy balance between grape production and growth, and the crop was reduced to 5.5 tons per hectare. The mature vines are naturally low yielding, and all damaged or unripe grapes were removed before harvest. The fruit was uniformly ripe and was picked on the basis of analysis, taste and vine physiology. VINIFICATION The grapes were partially de-stemmed with approximately 40% remaining as whole bunches directly into custom-made...

(94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot) Oz Clarke: 95 points "..the style is gloriously easy-going yet quite serious enough to be inspiring. The wine flows across your palate, full of red plum and cherry fruit and savoury seasoning of herbs, black olives and salted liquorice. It's led by acid rather than tannin and even hints at a little spice and violet scent." ref: Cambridge Wine Merchants #2017D