Anthonij Rupert Cabernet Franc 2020
TASTING NOTE: A subtle trace of violets and graphite underpins the bolder aromas of
blue and black fruit.
Similarly, on the palate a subtle spice element tempers the ripe, rich, rounded and juicy
mouthful. A cocoa powder nuance lends the overall palate a Black Forest gateaux vibe
because of the black cherry vibrance. Elegant, cohesive and structured with the oak
supporting the fruit beautifully. Lovely leashed power and restraint followed by a long tail.
Warwick Blue Lady Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Warwick Blue Lady Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
94/100 Tim Atkin
• Aromas: Intense cassis, black cherry and plum, layered with dried herbs, cedar, graphite and subtle tobacco.
• Palate: Full-bodied and concentrated, showing ripe blackcurrant and dark berry fruit with savoury undertones.
• Structure: Firm but finely textured, powdery tannins; well-judged oak that adds spice and polish without dominating.
• Finish: Long, fresh and composed, with excellent balance and clear ageing potential.
End summary
A classic, confident Stellenbosch Cabernet: powerful yet refined, built for both serious cellaring and rewarding mid-term drinking.
Waterford Estate Antigo 2020
Waterford Estate Antigo 2020
The Waterford Antigo takes its name from the colour of the soils in which this specific Cabernet Vineyard is planted, that makes up majority of the blend. Waterford Estate is located on the Helderberg Mountain, renowned for producing the best red wines in South Africa, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. The red clay, rich soils which bring softer and plush elegant fruit to the aromatics. They also create tannins which are richer softer and sweeter to what we are used to on Waterford Estate. The original plan was to release it as a single varietal wine, but its uniqueness necessitated the creation of the blend.
The 2020 vintage is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc.
Food pairing: A delicious hearty dish pairs perfectly with this wine, the plush red fruits notes will be perfectly complimented with meaty casseroles and a roast leg of lamb.
Keermont Amphitheatre 2018
Keermont Amphitheatre 2018
Deep and expressive on the nose, this Amphitheatre reveals dark blackberry and black cherry entwined with fragrant violet and exotic spice. Layers of smoked black pepper, cured meat, and graphite add complexity, while a hint of wild herbs and subtle oak nuances—cinnamon, clove and cedar—enhance the aromatic profile.
On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and concentrated with elegantly structured tannins and vibrant acidity that lift the generous fruit core. Flavours of rich black fruit segue into savoury notes of olive brine, black pepper spice and mineral tension, building to a long, resonant finish marked by refined balance and depth. This is a wine of power and precision, capable of graceful evolution in bottle yet already compelling with thoughtful decanting.
Keermont Topside Syrah 2017
Keermont Topside Syrah 2017 has a dark plummy red colour. It has an enchanting bouquet of lavender, cherries, cloves, and vanilla. The palate is elegant and soft with dark strawberry and cherry flavours and hints of citrus rind, herbs, and vanilla. The tannins are light, but firm and the wine has a long rich savoury finish. Drink 2021-2028.
Zevenwacht The Tin Mine Red 2021
Zevenwacht The Tin Mine Red 2021 has a complex nose of blackberry, cranberry and dark cherries with savoury herbs and peppery spice. The palate impresses with ample dark fruit and subtle tannins that are underpinned with elegant oak use that adds to the structure of the wine.
Blend - Shiraz 58%, Mourvedre 34 %, Grenache 8%
A superb dinner accompaniment. A hearty stew with root vegetables or a roasted leg of venison served with caramelised onions and a dark cherry sauce. Best served at room temperature, or slightly chilled at around 16-18°C. A delicious wine to be enjoyed now or over the next five years.
Keermont Steepside Syrah 2017
Keermont Steepside Syrah 2017
TASTING NOTE
Topside Syrah 2017 is bright royal red in colour. It has a bouquet of dark spicy fruit with cloves, violets, and white pepper. The palate starts soft and weightless, but opens up with ripe sweet cherry fruit, herbs and dry angular tannins. There is a lovely sweet-sour balance which maintains the tension in the finish. Drink 2022-2035.
ACCOLADES
5 stars PLATTER GUIDE
96/100 TIM ATKIN (MW)
94/100 NEAL MARTIN (VINOUS)
90/100 WINE SPECTATOR
Vilafonte Series C 2019
The Vilafonte Series C 2019 displays an intense ruby-purple colour and a vibrant, crimson rim. Dense on opening, this blend offers seductively fragrant layers of blackberry, cassis and baked plum, perfectly offset by a savoury, hoisin sauce note. Opulent floral notes; violet and lilac harmoniously blend to fresh-crushed juniper berry, pencil shavings, nuanced dark chocolate and sweet, warm
nutmeg. The palate reveals a plush, expansive entry, with vivid continuity. Fine-grained tannins throughout embody a cashmere embrace, building on the fine and assertive structure. Sumptuous black berry fruits are expressive and well-defined, underpinned by a mouth-watering core with effortlessly long finish. While alluring in its youth, the 2019 Series C promises a decade or more of cellaring to realise its full potential.
The Blend
Twenty-two months in seventy-four percent new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak.
Series C 2019 consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (fifty-six percent), equal parts Merlot and Malbec (twenty percent each) and Cabernet Franc (four percent).
Forty-six barrels were produced.
96+/100 Greg Sherwood MW
95/100 Deano da Vino
VERGELEGEN V 2014
VERGELEGEN V 2014 has a complex nose, showing blackcurrants, red cherries, cedar wood,
lead pencil and cigar box aromas. These develop in the glass and are
joined by raspberry, black cherry, spice and a hint of gaminess. On the
palate the wine is concentrated but elegant, with fine-grained tannins.
These tannins soften even further in the glass, resulting in a luxurious
wine with a long aftertaste.
Cabernet Sauvignon 100%
Rall Red 2019
Emilio Moro Finca Resalso 2024
Antinori Cont’Ugo Bolgheri 2022
The Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Cont’Ugo 2022 is a 100% Merlot from Bolgheri, Tuscany, characterized by an intense ruby red color, vibrant red fruit aromas (cherry, raspberry), and notes of Mediterranean herbs. It offers a structured yet elegant,, and creamy palate with fine tannins and a long,, persistent finish.
Key Tasting Notes & Characteristics:
Appearance: Deep, intense ruby red, often with a violet center.
Nose: Intense, ripe red fruit, notably cherries, raspberries, and blackcurrant, complemented by
Mediterranean scrub, undergrowth, and subtle tobacco or chocolate hints.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied with a velvety texture. It combines polished fruitiness (black cherry, plum) with firm, "grippy" tannins resulting from the challenging 2022 growing season.
Finish: Long and persistent with a mix of fresh fruit and, in some notes,, toasty oak.
