Top White Wines from the Cape
Vinum Report
We are also full throttle when it comes to press work! That's how we ended up sending over 100 white wines to VINUM Magazine for tasting.
The final VINUM report on South Africa's top wines proves that there are still good wines to taste.
Vinum Magazine took a closer look at some of the top white wines, such as Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and many more, compared them, and praised them in the highest terms. Discover the ratings of the top white wines now.
Anyone who has ever been to South Africa knows: The country is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive wine regions in the world. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast and the Indian Ocean on the east coast, these cold ocean currents ensure an ideal climate for viticulture. While both significantly influence the climate, the various microclimates differ considerably.
Generally, however, the northern part is hotter and drier, and artificial irrigation is indispensable here. In contrast, the south, broadly speaking around Cape Town, enjoys a more moderate climate. The same applies to the existing soils, which can be divided into three basic formations: granite, sand, and slate. Again, with various characteristics and conditions on site.
Especially South Africa's indigenous flagship, Steen, also known as Chenin Blanc, reacts differently to each terroir. Many wines from 2018, 2019, and 2020 were on the table for this market review, with the vintage range going back to 2007.
We note: South African winemakers master both the uncomplicated basic wines and the top growths and also know how to handle difficult years. Current 2021s and some of the basic wines from 2020 are enjoyable aperitif wines of good quality; they convey drinking pleasure. The crus with potential, demanding and terroir-driven, came from the 2018 and 2020 vintages. Both impressively confirmed their excellent reputation. In the difficult 2019 vintage, which demanded a lot from the wineries, the wines are more approachable and rounder.
Exceptions prove the rule. Exotics like Riesling or Grenache Blanc showed pure fascination with high-level individuality. In addition, new winemaking methods seem to be emerging, leaving the beaten path.
This was particularly evident with Chenin Blanc – wonderfully challenging, long-lived, and true to the character of the variety. A real joy.
Sale
LOURENS FAMILY
Skuinskap Steen – Chenin Blanc – 2020
CHF 49.00
18.5/20 points by Vinum
Finely chiselled nose with walnut, a hint of grape skin and tart quince peel, and a slightly woody spice component. Juicy yet firm style with good freshness, solid grip and pressure, but balanced. Very harmonious and seemingly made for a long life. That's how Chenin Blanc should be!
Sale
REYNEKE
Reserve White Organic – Sauvignon Blanc – 2018
CHF 27.90 instead of CHF 35.00
18.5/20 points by Vinum
Lots of cold smoke, flint, dried chamomile and aromas like sawing stone blocks. Fascinating. Racy and firm, grippy and mineral. This is how the palate presents itself, stony and with a lot of pure aroma. Very demanding and not an easily understood Sauvignon Blanc. Acidity and minerality, aging potential and such a vibrant acidity. Great class!
Sale
DAVID & NADIA
Chenin Blanc – 2020
CHF 27.90 instead of 34.90
18.5/20 points by Vinum
Still reductive with flint and a hint of sulfur, definitely give it air or further aging. Juicy, firm, and immensely animating palate with wonderful acidity and freshness, limestone soil and plenty of stony spice. There is structure with a mineral base. Lots of backbone and so clear and unadorned. It doesn't rely on aromas, but structure, freshness, and minerality are its strengths.
Sale
ALHEIT
Cartology -2020
CHF 34.90 instead of CHF 44.00
18/20 points by Vinum
Finely acidic, tart, and herbaceous fruit on the nose, very unique and appealing at the same time. Yellow herbs, lemon balm, and dried flowers. Firm and bone-dry palate that offers much drinking pleasure, yet never comes across as ingratiating. Wonderful fine acidity and some minerality, saltiness, and a superb balance. Finesse. Can still improve!
Sale
CARINUS
Rooidraai – Chenin Blanc – 2020
CHF 23.90 instead of 29.90
18/20 points by Vinum
Slightly spontaneous aroma of somewhat stale vegetables, hay, and grape skins. Racy and with finesse. What a wonderfully juicy style, yet never thin, flat, or banal – simply honest. Down-to-earth in a double sense. Far from the common style, lots of character and at the same time an invitation not to distort Chenin Blanc. Extremely unique – you either love it or despise it.
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
DEMORGENZON
Chardonnay Reserve – 2018
CHF 29.90 instead of CHF 39.00
18/20 points by Vinum
Wonderfully fresh nose reminiscent of wet slate and petrol. Ethereal and grippy, very unique and demanding. Rich style on the palate with minerality, these aromas from the nose again, and a chiselled acidity – class. By no means simple, it demands with its acidity and laser-like minerality. Great class.
Sale
REYNEKE
Chenin Blanc – Organic – 2019
CHF 19.90 instead of 27.50
18/20 points by Vinum
Very distinctive nose with oily slate, wet pebbles, dried hayflowers and a slightly salty aroma in the background. Fine, elegant, with wet pebbles and a touch of ethereal coolness. The palate is one that is overlooked due to its lightness and finesse. Again, this slightly earthy-mineral and chiselled grip. Great class, restrained and pure.
Sale
VERGELEGEN
Semillon Reserve – 2017
CHF 23.90 instead of CHF 29.00
18/20 points by Vinum
Subtle nose with cold smoke, quince jelly, chamomile, and lots of raciness and straightforward, enormously fresh fruit. Ditto on the palate, but there's tremendous power, plenty of grip, bitter grapefruit, and astonishing acidity. Chalky, grippy, and he brings the power to the ground really well. Not a flatterer, not a lightweight, a powerhouse in a bespoke suit. Class.
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
VERGELEGEN
Chardonnay – Screw Cap – 2018
CHF 11.90 instead of 19.90
18/20 points by Vinum
Racy, because mineral-spicy, puristic citrus fruit, enormously fresh and straightforward, but also very harmonious and tightly knit nose. Certainly reminiscent of Burgundy. Rich palate with power and firm structure, good acidic freshness and crystal-clear aromas. Minerality, acidity, balanced wood and nothing that would be pleasing. Should age excellently!
Sale
ALHEIT VINEYARS
Hereafter Here – Chenin Blanc – 2020
CHF 24.90 instead of CHF 29.90
17.5/20 points by Vinum
Very chiselled spice with subtly floral aromas, tart quince peel, and apple notes. Full and very compact palate with fresh acidity, good phenolic grip, and a firm core. Beneath it, cool yellow fruits, a hint of white pepper, and subtle apple pips. Extremely harmonious.
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
ATARAXIA
Chardonnay – 2019
CHF 26.90 instead of 39.00
17.5/20 points by Vinum
Quite nutty, tobacco-like, and slightly smoky nose with elegance and finesse. Elegant style on the palate too, with great balance and very vibrant grip, juicy yet firm acidity, and a tooth-coating mineral note. Still some woody spice, which integrates perfectly with air and the right temperature.
Sale
BOUCHARD FINLAYSON
Missionvale – Chardonnay – 2019
CHF 24.90 instead of CHF 32.00
17.5/20 points by Vinum
Slightly smoky, some ripe pome fruit, a hint of meadow mushroom and a wet mineral note. Unique, deep and complex. Continues like this on the palate, delicately textured and slightly creamy base, but with sufficient freshness and acidity – it has something. A mix of flatterer and character type.
Sale
LISMORE
Sauvignon Blanc – Barrel Fermented – 2018
CHF 23.20 instead of 29.00
17.5/20 points by Vinum
Reductive, with air rather chiselled and delicate, and definitely needing a lot of air! Then with earthy and slightly cool freshness, some candied lemon peel, and the touch of stale, cut grass. Juicy yet firm palate with straightforward acidic freshness and a solid core and structure. Here, too, the reductive aspect is still apparent. Equipped with really good potential. Aging potential.
Sale
RALL
White – 2020
CHF 31.90 instead of CHF 39.00
17.5/20 points by Vinum
Still restrained and muted nose, with air showing race, minerality and slightly vegetal nuances. Precise and polished. Also not really finished on the palate yet, but again with minerality, a very grippy and firm style with great acidity. Gripping, very earthy and fresh. Wonderfully assembled cuvée with a lot of character! Class.
Sale
KEN FORRESTER
Chenin Blanc – The FMC – 2019
CHF 49.00 instead of 59.00
17/20 points by Vinum
Needs a lot of air, then quince peel, some apricot, Boskoop apple and subtle wood spice paired with a slightly vanilla note emerge. Quite an idiosyncratic style on the palate with a creamy and intense base, very densely woven fruit and a lot of charm. Currently it seems a bit overloaded and plump.
Sale
KLEIN CONSTANTIA
Metis – Sauvignon Blanc – 2017
CHF 23.20 instead of CHF 29.00
17/20 points by Vinum
Freshly cut grass, ethereal spring onion and fresh ginger, and it needs air to lose its reductive notes. On the palate, nettles and artichokes are added, a juicy acidic freshness, but also initial maturity, while always remaining grippy and crisp with a demanding acidity. Anything but a crowd-pleaser.
Sale
MONT BLOIS
Kweekkamp – Chardonnay – 2017
CHF 29.90 instead of 39.00
17/20 points by Vinum
A rich, slightly sweet and spicy nose with cloves, fresh vanilla pod, marzipan and ripe yellow melon fruit. The palate is brutally different, nothing like the nose, there's freshness, structure with a lot of grip and still woody spice. Bone dry and wonderfully fresh acidity. Very difficult to rate. Nose 16, palate 18. Give it air, it could still improve.
NEIL ELLIS
White Hall – Chardonnay – 2020
CHF 29.00
17/20 points by Vinum
Quite dense and compact fruit with ripe pears and limes, but also with flint and fresh vegetal notes. The palate is almost light-footed with enormous drinking pleasure, yet it remains serious and also shows ageing potential. Fine, grippy style, somewhat phenolic yet very balanced with coolness on the finish.
Special Offer
TOKARA
Director’s Reserve White – Screw Cap – 2017
CHF 23.90 instead of 36.00
17/20 points by Vinum
Very mineral coolness, wet slate, earthy soil and spring onions. Racy and earthy-ethereal with discreet fresh ginger. Demanding nose. Wonderfully juicy and drinkable palate with structure and freshness, suitable acidity and vegetal aromas. Not a run-of-the-mill Sauvignon blanc, quite the opposite. Lots of character and style and firm grip.
Report by Vinum, April 2022
All prices in CHF incl. VAT. Daily price as of 07.04.2022.
Offers valid while stocks last. Errors and price changes reserved.
