Top South African Wines
Robert Parker Ratings
Robert Parker’s latest ratings for South African wines. Here are the top wine highlights.
Anthony Müller has made the latest assessment of South African wines for Robert Parker’s Magazine.
«Das oft übersehene Westkap Südafrikas besitzt eine umwerfend schöne Natur und einige der ausdrucksstärksten und ältesten Böden der Welt für den Weinanbau und die Weinherstellung. Im Laufe der Jahre ist das Land dafür bekannt geworden, einige der «wertorientiertesten» Weine auf dem heutigen globalen Weinmarkt zu produzieren – ein Ruf, der hoffentlich gebrochen und in den Köpfen der Verbraucher durch Weine ersetzt wird, die “qualitätsorientiert” sind», Müller says in his article.
Robert Parker magazine confirms that for many months it has been «new producers, new bottlings and wine expressions from the Western Cape». Anthony Müller was surprised at this assessment where he found good wines. «I must say that I continue to be thoroughly impressed by the quality, value for cost and expression of site and terroir for much of the new vintages I’ve tasted. With the commanding expressions that capture and captivate the attention of drinkers, the top scores went to a couple of sweet wines, along with a stellar showing of Swartland bottlings from Mullineux and Sadie Family and some rather impressive wines from Hamilton Russell, Keermont, Kershaw, Klein Constantia, Le Riche, Lismore, Raats, Rall, Tesselaarsdal and Warwick.», he wrote in his post.
Anthony Müller warns us with very good news: «Stay tuned for more critical reviews and a series of regionally focused reports I plan to roll out in the coming months along with full vintage reports as I continue my coverage of South Africa, its wine industry and my search for the next wine, the next story, the next voice».
We are looking forward to the new wines that you will taste and that we can serve at our tables in Switzerland via KapWeine.
Here you will find the top category wines with Anthony Müller’s reviews from Robert Parker. Have fun!
Special Offer
MULLINEUX
Olerasay – Straw Wine No .2
CHF 129.00 instead of CHF 149.00
98 Points by Robert Parker
Bottled in 2020, the NV Olerasay is a solera-style wine made from Chenin Blanc and possesses fractionally blended portions of previous vintages from 2008 through 2019. Medium gold in the glass, the wine explodes with picturesque stone fruit aromas, boasting notions of white peach, satsuma, apple purée, Meyer lemon and candied citrus on the nose followed by hints of jasmine honeysuckle. Medium to full-bodied yet impeccably balanced, the 8.5% alcohol shows true. However, it’s the dynamic and impressive acid structure that frames this wine beautifully and gives the wine its elegant yet focused power. Showcasing a near-perfect Rolodex of classic Chenin Blanc flavors—sans wool—I would easily put this up against any of the Loire Valley’s world-class sweet Chenin Blancs. I understand and appreciate the power of solera and cannot wait until this solera is at least 25 years of age. Bravo! This is hands-down some of the best Chenin Blanc I’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking.
Sold Out – Best Hit
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KLEIN CONSTANTIA
Vin de Constance – Sweet Wine – 2017
CHF 69.00 instead of CHF 89.00
96 Points by Robert Parker
While similar in color to the 2017, the 2018 Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine possesses a richer, rounder frame than the previous vintage. Devastatingly gorgeous on the nose, the wine exudes ripeness, precision and focus, somersaulting out of the glass with gorgeous aromas of apricot purée, white nectarine and yellow peach with heady floral aromas. Compact, medium to full-bodied and unctuous on the palate, the wine explodes, showcasing the greatness of Muscat. The wine continues to unfold in the mouth, expressing additional layers and complexity it sits on the palate. It’s wonderfully textured, and I find myself almost chewing the wine, as there is so much going on with it. Drawing in air over the palate, I continue to slurp the wine and it continues to offer up more of its secrets and complexity. No spitting today. The wine glides to a persistent and world-class finish that has me smitten with this vintage. Do not pass up the opportunity to try this wine.
Sold Out – Best Hit
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SADIE FAMILY
T-VOETPAD – matured – 2018
CHF 89.00 instead of CHF 99.00
96 Points by Robert Parker
Opening to a floral and citrus nose, the 2020 Old Vine Series T Voetpad has amazing focus and bright citrus tones that unfold with a soft waxy and floral nature. Medium-bodied and impeccably balanced, the palate offers up a flavor of sour peach ring and laser beam acidity that will continue on for more than two decades. This wine has amazing mineral tension and hints of nuts, but the amazing acidity drives the ever-evolving and persistent finish, leaving behind notions of sea spray. Absolutely mind-blowing stuff!
Sold Out – Best Hit
SADIE FAMILY
Columella – matured – 2018
CHF 125.00
96 Points by Robert Parker
Impeccably balanced and gorgeously seductive on the nose, the 2019 Columella is a steadfast crowdpleaser with succulent red fruit tones that waft with elegance and fitness before flaunting bright red florals. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is stunningly impressive with nimble weightlessness across the mid-palate before showcasing power and finesse through layers of complexity. The wine somersaults to an epic finish that continues to linger in the mouth with persistence. Absolutely stunning!
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MULLINEUX
Schist Roundstone – Syrah – 2018
CHF 109.00 instead of 119.00
95 Points by Robert Parker
Awe-inspiring stuff, the 2018 Schist Syrah begins with a compact frame and intoxicating floral expression with a dark red-fruited nature and complex rocky tones under gorgeous aromas of violets and white pepper. Medium-bodied, the palate is impeccably balanced, offering juicy acidity and fine-grained tannins that will undoubtedly integrate over time to be completely seamless. This delicious Syrah concludes with fantastic highlights of crunchy red fruit and game hints and is my top vote for Mullineux’s soil-series Syrah this year. Bravo! I find myself pausing and smelling the wine in the glass rather than drinking it, which is a sign of world-class wine to me.
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SADIE FAMILY
Palladius – 2019
CHF 79.00 instead of 99.00
95 Points by Robert Parker
Delivering aromas of lemon oil, raw honeycomb, wax melon and underripe peach skin, the 2019 Palladius is gorgeous on the nose, with a delightful floral lift and dusty nuance. Medium-bodied on the palate, the wine offers notions of dusty honeysuckle, underripe peach skin and citrus blossom along with lovely mineral tension and a kiss of phenolic bitterness. This will remain food-friendly until its 20th birthday. Every time I try these wines, they never seem to fail to deliver pleasure. Absolutely stunning!
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LE RICHE
Cabernet Sauvignon – Reserve – 2018
CHF 39.90 instead of CHF 49.00
94 Points by Robert Parker
Already firing on all cylinders, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is gorgeous and ready for action. Juicy dark-fruit aromas burst from the glass with notions of wet rock and sweet herbs, while elegant baking spices waft from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is generous, complex, balanced and refined. This spectacular expression of Cabernet is delicious, food-friendly and deserves to be in the cellar next to the other highly collectible Cabernets of the world. The wine enthusiastically somersaults to a brilliant, long-lingering and persistent finish. More importantly, the aftertaste delivers an impressive flavor profile of crushed violets, fresh sage, juicy plum, spiced blackberries and baking spices. I find it a moral imperative to finish this glass. I will be adding bottles of this wine to my cellar.
Sold Out – Best Hit
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MULLINEUX
Leeu Passant – Chardonnay – 2017
CHF 69.00 instead of 79.00
93 Points by Robert Parker
The 2018 Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay is instantly impressive with seductive oak tones that sway with just-ripe Meyer lemon aromas, yellow apple and popcorn kernel. Medium-bodied, the Chardonnay explodes on the palate with bright, energetic acidity followed by flavors of lemon pastry cream, buttered popcorn and candied citrus. The wine continues to unfold for more than a minute before concluding with a long, persistent finish that is sure to deliver pleasure for years to come. Give it a try; it’s delightful!
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HAMILTON RUSSELL
Chardonnay – 2020
CHF 43.00 instead of CHF 49.90
93 Points by Robert Parker
Gorgeously seductive in the glass, the 2020 Chardonnay immediately offers aromas of citrus pastry cream, butterscotch, nutmeg, crème brûlée and yellow apple panna cotta. Medium-bodied and impeccably balanced, there is a pleasing texture to the mouthfeel, followed by bright acidity that frames the mid-palate. Ending with a long-lingering and inspiring finish, persistent flavors of toasted almonds, citrus blossom and quince skin linger on the aftertaste. It’s a beautiful and delicious wine, one I cannot wait to retry in 10 years’ time. Bravo!
LISMORE
Viognier Age of Grace – 2020
CHF 29.00
93 Points by Robert Parker
Devastatingly gorgeous in the glass, the 2020 The Age of Grace Viognier exudes finesse, refinement and precision with a beautifully floral and aromatically lifted nose, compounded by oak essences, tropical and stone fruit aromas and a cereal grain element. Full-bodied, luscious and compact, the Viognier unfolds in the mouth with layers of complexity as it struts across the mid-palate with meticulous purity. It offers flavors of apricots, white peach, popcorn kernel, caramel apple, pineapple and cream of wheat along with a balanced structure and a kiss of phenolic bitterness. The wine explodes on the finish, showcasing ripeness of fruit and varietal purity. Another stellar Lismore bottling for the books. Samantha O’Keefe has done it again.
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MULLINEX
Granite – Chenin Blanc – 2019
CHF 69.00 instead of CHF 79.00
93 Points by Robert Parker
Instantly impressive, the 2019 Granite Chenin Blanc begins with floral and dusty citrus blossom elements before offering up fantastically balanced citrus and mineral appeal. Medium-bodied, the wine possesses terrific action on the palate with succulent acidity and a frame of seductive mineral tension that is both food-friendly and slightly phenolic. The wine unfolds across the mid-palate and somersaults in the mouth before offering a long, textural finish that is absolutely stunning. Bravo! My problem will be trying to keep my hands off this bottle if I see it in the cellar.
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MULLINEX
Granite – Syrah – 2018
CHF 109.00 instead of CHF 119.00
93 Points by Robert Parker
Starting with aromas of blackberry and black pepper and hints of smoke, the 2018 Granite Syrah offers classic and rocky notions of well-made Syrah. Medium-bodied, savory and elegant, the palate offers flavors of dusty black cherry, smoked plum and wild brush before fine-grained tannins lift the mid-palate. The wine glides to a fine, firm finish with a compact, tannic edge. Enjoy it with food.
SADIE FAMILY
Mev. Kirsten – Old Vine – Chenin Blanc – 2020
CHF 139.00
93 Points by Robert Parker
Beginning with an almost electric nose, the 2020 Old Vine Series Mev Kirsten offers a fine, dusty mineral essence and elements of underripe pineapple, yellow pear, sweet citrus and lanolin. The wine is balanced on the palate, with energetic acidity that races across the mid-palate with finesse and precision, followed by a soft chalky mineral tension and a slight kiss of phenolic bitterness. The wine unpacks and unfolds over the elongated finish with subtle flavors of arugula and underripe peach skin. Bravo!
SADIE FAMILY
Treinspoor Tinta Barocca – Old Vine – 2020
CHF 59.00
93 Points by Robert Parker
Delightfully juicy in the glass, the 2020 Old Vine Series Treinspoor offers ripe, spiced plum notes with a pleasurable mineral edge and nuances of black raspberry and sweet tobacco, with an undercurrent of charming dark red fruit tones. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is compact and precise, with a firm, tannic edge that will remain food-friendly for years to come. This delicious and complex wine continues to unpack and reveal its complexities over the elongated and juicy finish. It’s gorgeous in every sense of the word.
Killer Deal – from 6 Bottles
WARWICK
White Lady – Chardonnay – 2020
CHF 18.90 instead of 24.90
93 Points by Robert Parker
Devastatingly gorgeous in the glass, the 2020 The White Lady Chardonnay exudes elegant French oak aromas with seductive notions of pastry cream, spiced pineapple and sweet caramel apple along with delightful elements of creamed corn and citrus blossom. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is clean, elegantly expressive and softly nutty with notions of spiced orchard fruits, crème brûlée and Meyer lemon. The wine concludes with a long, silky and creamy finish. The wine rested in about 25% new Burgundian oak barrels. Only 16,000 bottles were produced. Bravo! I’m not spitting this one.
SADIE FAMILY
Pofadder Cinsault – 2020
CHF 59.00
92 Points by Robert Parker
Beginning with a lighter and lifted nose, the 2020 Old Vine Series Pofadder offers Pinot Noire-like aromas with hints of potpourri and red spice before ripe, dusty cherry skin flows out of the glass with a kiss of green herbs. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a just-ripe fruit quality with flavors of tart cherries and wild strawberries and fine mineral tension. The wine has a balanced structure yet concludes with a slightly tannic and drying finish. Give it one more year of bottle age, then drink through 2038.
Six Pack Special – from 6 Bottles
ANWILKA
Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz – 2017
CHF 39.90 instead of 49.00
92 Points by Robert Parker
Riding the line between the New World and Old World expressions, the 2017 Anwilka begins with aromas of dusty blackberry, ripe plum, cedar and cigar spice before notions of graphite, sage and wet river rocks waft from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, it has a ripe yet rustic mouthfeel, energetic acidity and fine-grained tannins that lift the mid-palate. As the wine sits in the mouth, it continues to somersault and reveal its elegance and complexity over the persistent and elongated finish. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot rested for 19 months in French oak, of which 50% were first fill. It’s drinking great now, but just give it one more year in the bottle and drink through the middle of the next decade.
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HAMILTON RUSSELL
Pinot Noir – 2020
CHF 59.00 instead of 69.00
92 Points by Robert Parker
After the majority of the estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes were rejected in 2019 due to wildfires, the 2020 Pinot Noir marks the return of the Hemel-En-Aarde Valley bottling. Initially opening to aromas similar to that of somewhere between the Willamette Valley and Burgundy, the nose is earthy with a slightly rustic appeal and fresh, red-fruited essence. Medium-bodied and beautifully layered, the mouthfeel is bright and food-friendly with succulent acidity and youthful tannins. The wine concludes with elements of raspberry skin, Bing cherry and red spiced tea.
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KEN FORRESTER
FMC – Chenin Blanc – 2019
CHF 49.00 instead of 59.00
92 Points by Robert Parker
The 2019 The FMC boasts seductive aromas of raw honey, sweet citrus, elegant baking spices and lemon meringue. Medium-bodied, it has energetic acidity, succulent flavors of green and yellow apple skin, toasted brioche and popcorn kernel and a kiss of phenolic bitterness, while flavors of white peach and hints of apricots grow in amplitude. The wine continues to evolve with a generous and waxy mouthfeel and concludes with a surprisingly long finish. I’m going back for a second sip. Bravo!
LISMORE
Estate Reserve – Chardonnay – 2020
CHF 59.00
92 Points by Robert Parker
Beginning with a spicy nose, the 2020 Estate Reserve Chardonnay offers notions of popcorn kernel, cardamom madeleines, yellow apple and lemon panna cotta. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shows volume, breadth and depth and complexity that grows in amplitude. Succulent acidity and oak spice dominate the mid-palate as flavors of candied citrus, sautéed almonds and hints of butterscotch float effortlessly across the ever-evolving finish. It’s delightful.
Edition by «Robert Parker», dated 09.07.2022
All prices in CHF incl. VAT. Daily price as of 13.07.2022.
Offers valid while stocks last. Errors and price changes subject to change.
