Wine Spectator
Wine Reviews by Alison Napjus
Alison Napjus has reviewed more than 200 wines and conducted tastings throughout the year as new vintages were released. «Looking back at the group as a whole, I am still impressed by the range of wines and styles, with bottlings from almost two dozen different grape varieties, encompassing everything from boutique and single-vineyard wines to broader, territorial offerings. Nearly 60 percent of the wines tasted received excellent ratings of 90 points or more on Wine Spectator's 100-point scale, while 40 percent of the total are offered at a price of $25 or less.»
Marc Kent has spent almost three decades promoting and developing the South African wine industry. He started as a winemaker and is now CEO and technical director of a group of six different wineries producing wines from one of the Cape's top estates, Porseleinberg, Chocolate Block, to the price-conscious The Wolftrap labels. «The industry is very geographically limited,» says Kent. «But if you visit South Africa, you realize how much we have to offer - the diversity and the opportunities.»
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Killer Deal >6 Bottles
PORSELEINBERG
Boekenhoutskloof – 2020
CHF 69.00 instead of CHF 89.00
95 Points by Wine Spectator
Acidity and freshness characterize the nose. Round and quite rich in the middle. Racy. Biting and grippy on the finish.
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RUST EN VREDE
1964 Classification Stellenbosch – 2018
CHF 129.00 instead of 149.00
95 Points by Wine Spectator
Intense blackcurrant and graphite, enveloped by a delicate scent of violets. The palate is dominated by well-defined fruit aromas of cassis, redcurrants, and blackberries, underpinned by sandalwood and licorice. Spicy notes of freshly ground black pepper with cinnamon and clove add depth to the wine. Structured with robust tannins and a structured finish of blackcurrant with nutmeg. Opulence meets restraint.
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SADIE FAMILY
Columella Swartland – 2020
CHF 125.00
94 Points by Wine Spectator
The 2020 Columella shows distinctly bright red, crushed fruit that transitions to some darker blueberry aromas. On the palate, the wine is extremely fine-knit and the tannin is almost seamless, and the wine finishes powdery dry with even more refined tannins in the aftertaste. The acidity is like a wire rope running through the wine from start to finish, and is primarily the work of the Carignan and Mourvèdre in the blend. As always, it is recommended to age this wine for at least 8 years.
Sixpack Special >6 Bottles
VILAFONTÉ
Series c – 2020
CHF 109.00 instead of 129.00
94 Points by Wine Spectator
The 2020 Series C displays great density of red to black color and a bright carmine rim. Deep, sensual aromas with clear Series C typicality of dark blue/black fruit notes. Rich layers of blackcurrant pastille, licorice, hints of juniper berries and scorched cedar offer considerable sophistication. On the palate, it is deliciously broad and harmonious, with a consistent fruit sweetness. Powerful mid-palate with ripe tannins, good weight and texture. Both linear and continuous, with perfect presence and great length. Wonderfully integrated. The vintage reflects the quintessence of elegance, with a core of satiny tannins and youthful energy. While seductive in its youth, the 2020 Series C promises a decade or more to unfold.
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ALHEIT
Semillion Monument – 2021
CHF 78.00
93 Points by Wine Spectator
Dark fruits dominate the nose with aromas of blackcurrant, black olives, tar and graphite. Lush, sweet, red and dark berries follow on an exceptionally complex palate with rich flavors of ripe plums, black cardamom and hints of ground pepper and sweet tobacco. Nuances of cured meat and green olive tapenade contribute to the attractive spicy character of the structured mid-palate, with notes of milk chocolate enveloping the mouth. The wine is supple, medium-bodied to full-bodied and of beautiful concentration, silky tannins and a vibrant, balancing acidity. Red fruits and spices linger on the finish with classic nuances of white pepper and lively garrigue, giving the wine a Provençal character.
Killer Deal >6 Bottles
BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF
Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek – 2019
CHF 47.90 instead of CHF 65.00
93 Points by Wine Spectator
Plenty of dark berry fruit shows on a relatively shy but inviting nose, with an abundance of subtle spices, herbaceous aromas and fine floral nuances. Blackberries and dark cherries follow on a multi-layered palate, with bright aromas of blackberries, mulberries and red licorice, plus hints of graphite minerality, cedar spice and a gentle sous-bois character, creating great complexity. A pure, crystalline fruit profile is perfectly balanced with fresh integrated acidity and very fine-grained, cocoa-powder tannins that give the wine excellent structure and exceptional depth. The mid-palate is vibrant, structured and supple with a classic Bordeaux nervosity and silkiness. Blueberries, nutmeg and cloves linger on a juicy, pure finish.
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DAVID & NADIA
Chenin Blanc Skaliekop – 2020
CHF 59.00 instead of 75.00
93 Points by Wine Spectator
Stone fruit, beeswax, quince, caramel, vanilla, white flowers and salt – the Skaliekop Chenin Blanc spans a spectrum that integrates aromas not found every day in a wine. Contrary to what one might expect based on the aroma description, the wine makes no concessions to residual sugar. A lively acidic structure meets a creamy texture and creates a compact, dense and dynamic body. The finish is long, sustained and mineral. Definitely just at the beginning of its development.
Killer Deal >6 Bottles
BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF
Syrah Swartland – 2019
CHF 43.90 instead of CHF 59.00
93 Points by Wine Spectator
The nose is perfumed, open and fresh, offering a range of rich dark fruits with a spicy, floral, even wild character. Complex aromas of dark berries, plums, violets, black olives, star anise and potting soil. The black fruits and earthy character of the bouquet continue on the palate, with aromas of forest berries, blackberries, licorice, tobacco, cloves and black cardamom. The mid-palate is concentrated, deep, dense and slightly dusty, with dry, very fine, cocoa-powder tannins that provide structure. The wine is very precise, with a medium to full body, a dense, granular texture and a vibrant, balancing acidity. Blackberries, blueberries and notes of garrigue and bitter chocolate remain on a spicy finish.
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SADIE FAMILY
Palladius Swartland – 2020
CHF 109.00
93 Points by Wine Spectator
The color of the 2020 Palladius is perhaps the most striking, as it is the brightest and freshest in years. For the first time in many years, it shows savory citrus and lime aromas with pungent nuances, which then develop into mineral, salty aromas and then transition to secondary stone fruit aromatics. The wine has a firm structure, the tannin is exceptionally compact and the volume seems to float in its weight.
Killer Deal >6 Bottles
CONSTANTIA GLEN
FIVE – 2019
CHF 32.90 instead of CHF 44.00
92 Points by Wine Spectator
Youthful in color with a very dark magenta core transitioning to a bright and vibrant garnet rim. Bright aromas of ripe blackcurrant, juicy plums and fragrant dried herbs. This initial impression is underpinned by a multitude of spicy notes. Graphite, cedar and floral aromas rise from the glass, completing the bouquet with hints of violet, cassis and wild fynbos flora. On the palate, a dramatic entry with concentrated dark fruit flavors, the mid-palate has a fantastic balance between power and elegance. The textbook ripening conditions of the vintage, combined with careful extraction and maturation methods in the cellar, have resulted in a convincingly structured wine with excellent freshness and depth. The delicious, fine-grained tannins provide a structured backbone and an incredible mouth-coating texture. The Five appears taut in its youth with enormous aging potential. The ubiquitous Constantia freshness ensures a long, persistent finish.
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Issue of «Wine Spectator», July 31, 2023
All prices in CHF incl. VAT. Daily price as of 07.09.2023.
Offers valid while stocks last. Errors and price changes reserved.
