Inviting melange of plush and plump black and red berry fruits, blueberries, spice and chocolate on the nose. Those same fruits and flavours glide seamlessly from the nose onto the palate. There’s a subtle note of fennel or anise but with rich black cherry and plum notes adding succulence. Reigning in this abundance is a frame of oak and tannin which provides a gentle, muscular squeeze. Textured, rich and rounded but elegantly robust, there’s a beautiful complexity and breadth to this wine. The cocoa powder nuance is present in the long, tapered finish. One made for cellaring but also for immediate enjoyment.
Ripe black berry fruits, licorice and a trace of florality can be found on the nose. The palate offers up those same plush, ripe black berries, cherry and licorice along with a deeper, dark herb and earthy element. The sensation is one of dryness, almost a perception of being lean and austere but that’s because the wine is still tightly furled and reined in. It’s supple, sinewy, succulent and rewarding with the fruit and oak seamlessly meshed. The grip is firm without being forceful or too bold or muscular. A wine that needs time to show its true beauty.
Rich Christmas pudding with spice and a hint of dried flowers on the nose. The palate offers instant appeal in its warm, smooth, richly fruited entry. Lovely interplay of flavour and texture – dark chocolate, blueberries, a touch of liquorice and dried herbs set against an earthy depth and integrated frame of polished oak.
Layered nose of inviting tea leaf, violets, dark Christmas cake and black cherries. The palate is also layered, rich with those same elements – Christmas cake sumptuousness vying with brewed tea, tomato leaf and spicy, cedary hints from time in barrel. Seductive, plush and elegantly refined but with a muscular power lurking deep down, this is an impressive, structured but rewarding wine. The integration of wood and fruit is impressive and it is beautifully balanced and long. The aftertaste lingers.
The universal appeal of chocolate is allied to an understated violet perfume and some deeper, inky, earthy notes, making for a seductive mix. Texture informs the palate: rounded on entry, soft, lush and succulent. Only then do the rich cocoa and dark black, blue and cherry fruit notes announce their presence, along with a squeeze of chalky but fine tannin. Elegant, refined and poised, the palate displays lovely harmony of fruit and oak in a deliciously long, supple and silky package. It feels effortless but is supremely rewarding in the pleasure stakes.
Appealing spicy plum and dark fruit compote aromas, perfumed and seductive. The palate entry is supple, smoothly rounded and comforting. Once again, the rich and ripe plum, blackberry and blueberry fruit are apparent. It doesn’t stop there, with pepper, herbs and an earthiness mingling with a cigar box and spice nuance. The ease and approachability are something of a disguise, as the wine has grip and muscular power in abundance. Harmonious and somewhat deceptive integrated oak adds to the impression of effortless ease, yet the wine remains poised, rich, rewarding and complex.
Tendrils of spice add nuance and allure to a nose packed with black berries, hedgerow fruit and some mocha notes. The palate is plush, rounded and pillowy but layered with dark fruitcake flavour, black cherry, baking spice and pencil shavings too. The mouthfeel is complemented by its overall stature and regal refinement. Balanced with seamless integration of oak and ripe, rich fruit with lovely succulence and freshness as well. Complex, supple and silky smooth, the wine is ultimately simply delicious with a superbly long tail.
Complex bouquet of fruitcake, cedar, cocoa and a perfumed whiff of dried lavender. Broad, fleshy and succulent with all of that the nose promises being delivered on the palate. Spice sprinkled cedar with rich dark fruitcake flavour. Wonderfully soft, rounded and silky palate that shows cohesion and refinement. Impressive density and concentration that doesn’t overwhelm. Nor does the oak used in the maturation of this impressive blend. Plush, comfortable and eminently rewarding with a lingering dry tail.
Limestone and dust motes mingle with foliage and a gentle wisp of pear blossom on the nose. The immediate impression is vivid and thrilling, with zesty grapefruit, nettles, and crisp succulence. The wine then unfolds, growing in both texture and flavor, offering richer, broader elements of lemon oil, subtle creamy oak, and a touch of wax with the faintest hint of honey. It has a delightful frame and body, with a cohesive interplay of lively acidity, lees richness, and vibrant fruit. It will reward patience, gaining in complexity and nuance over time, with the waxy note becoming more prominent.
Gentle notes of nectarine and limestone, with a hint of vanilla biscuit and orange peel. The subtlety continues on the palate. Initially, it is energetic and vivacious, with crisp, bright, and lively lime and orange notes, complemented by vibrant acidity that lends freshness. Then, a broader, rich yet restrained quality develops, revealing a subtle creamy nuttiness tinged with a light vanilla note. Nothing dominates, and the wine displays a harmonious balance of oak, fruit, and acidity, which lingers persistently but not assertively. Overall, it is a wine that whispers seductively rather than shouts.
Tempting hints of delicate florals flank more prominent aromas of chamomile, white peach, and lightly honeyed spice. Ripe, sunkissed stone fruits make the first impression on the palate, showcasing peach, nectarine, and a hint of apricot. It displays a zesty vibrance and liveliness, with acidity beautifully counterbalancing the fruit’s succulence. Poised and well-structured, both oak and lees contribute subtly to its mouthfeel. Seamless and rewarding, the gentle honey
Trademark restrained pear and nectarine fruit notes, lightly dusted with spice. In the mouth it’s more of the same with the lightly tangy, zesty stone fruit flavours apparent against a backdrop of focussed, taut, acid freshness. Texturally, the wine is compact and cohesive with good density as well as mouthfeel. Adding to the overall impression is its poise and balance, along with leesy breadth. The finish is long and parts on a lemon zest note.
A forthcoming and delicately seductive nose reveals a delightful interplay of sweet, ripe cherry and blueberry aromas. A subtle hint of rose petals and a whisper of shy spice further enhance its allure. On the palate, the wine opens with a succulent and fresh entry, but it quickly transforms into something far more intriguing than the nose suggests. It defies expectations of lightness or overt fruitiness, instead presenting a sleek, sinewy, and powerful profile with a lithe muscularity. The fruit profile deepens into darker tones—black cherry, plum, and even prune—accentuated by a prominent liquorice note. The wine boasts impressive density and layered depth. Tannins provide structure and stature, but they remain refined and unobtrusive. Altogether, this is a cohesive, rewarding, and thoroughly delicious wine, leaving a lingering and satisfying finish.
Appealingly bold aromas of tropical fruits—guava, kiwi, and fig— highlighted by a light grapefruit sheen. Taut, crisp, and tangy, the palate boasts an abundance of citrus vivacity. The ripe tropical notes from the nose are present as well, with kiwi and fig complemented by a light dusting of flint and white pepper for added complexity. Texture is impressive, with a leesy breadth and length that define its character. The balance and harmony of fruit, acid, and lees are notable, and the finish is remarkably lingering.
An array of stone fruit mingles with citrus leaf, a whiff of vanilla, spice and a subtle florality on the nose. On entry, the palate is tangy and lively but also creamy and broad. Instantly apparent are the nectarine, peach and citrus flavours, with an interesting pithy grip of texture and a savouriness too. There’s a lovely harmony of acid succulence with rich, understated, almost nutty oak support. The well-knit wood just brackets and cradles the fruit rather than dominating it. Elegant and composed with good poise, there’s a tasty spice and vanilla note that makes itself felt on the lengthy, rewarding aftertaste. Superb complexity and apparent effortlessness make it all too easy to drink.
Aromas reminiscent of Christmas pudding – spice, dark plum, cherry and berry fruit. Hint of mint too. That lively spice and plum pudding interplay continues in the mouth. The palate is compact and cohesive rather than big, bold and full bodied. The oak counters the ripe fruit, providing backbone and staying power with an impressively long, dry finish.
Appealing raspberry and plump cherry fruit aromas. The same succulence and rounded juicy dark fruit continues on the palate – with standout plum, cherry and raspberry flavours. A light baking spice nuance adds to the complexity and gentle Christmas cake appeal, along with supportive, seamless oak balance. Smooth textured and long with an enticing, dry yet fruited finish.
The bouquet offers up shy plum and black fruit with a trace of roasting coffee beans. The palate is taut, controlled and appears leashed, ready to reveal its true range of flavours: spicy plum and blackcurrant notes brushed with a touch of fynbos. There is a good platform of oak which will meld ever more agreeably with the rich fruit notes over time. The finish is long and succulent and reveals an interesting saline nuance.
Subtle spice and floral delicacy underpins bright plum and raspberry fruit on the nose. Soft-textured, warm and rounded entry to the mouth. The raspberry and plum flavours are immediately present, beautifully vibrant and succulent. Notes of dry herb, fynbos and a darker licorice element, all sympathetically cradled by well integrated, unobtrusive oak. Complex but comforting and approachable with a delightfully long, peppery tail.
Typical cherry, plum, spice and forest floor aromas. Light smoke whiff too. A suave, supple and confident mouthful of red berry fruit which combines with smooth, silky texture. Integrated and harmonious with seamless oak and appealing dry spice notes throughout. Impressive length of flavour.
Intriguing and alluring melange of fynbos, soft Agen prune, pepper, berry compote and licorice with both an earthy and floral edge. The initial impression on the palate is all ripe blue and black fruit – and the power associated with them, but then it softens and becomes altogether more tempting with deeper cocoa powder and buchu flavours. The texture and mouthfeel is velvety and smooth, so supple and seamless – as is the use of oak. The wood provides a frame or skeleton but never imposes itself. The harmony of tannin and fruit is impressive and superbly meshed.
Lively stream of fine bubbles bring sherbert and lemon cream biscuit aromas to the nose. Vibrant, fresh and crisp in the mouth with those bright, citrus flavours promised by the nose immediately apparent. Tangy lime and grapefruit with a marmalade twist, and an understated apple and toast nuance which adds complexity and dimension. Beautifully resolved, elegant and composed with a resolved dry finale.
The wine announces with an eye catching vigorous bubble. Typical yeast and cracker biscuit notes on the nose with lively citrus rind and a briny, maritime nuance is also apparent. The palate succeeds in being both refreshingly vibrant and simultaneously dry. Bright effervescence with creamy lees richness from its time in the bottle, with distinct brioche and sourdough toast notes vying with lively grapefruit and citrus flavours. Elegant, restrained, taut and thrilling, it’s beautifully poised yet equally flamboyant and exuberant! A gentle nutty note lingers on the long tail.
The subtle pale shade of coppery pink is eye-catching but the aromas of plum and red fruit, mingled with chalky limestone and fresh citrus simply add to the appeal. The energetic and zippy bubbles deliver the berried red fruit flavours to the tongue while the zesty citrus notes add acid balance add piquancy. Focussed, clean and dry with a faint but gentle brushstroke of creamy richness from yeast and lees that simply adds interest and complexity. Long-lived, stylish and refreshing throughout.
Palest blush pink hue with a lively “string of pearls” bubbles. Subtle cherry and raspberry aromas mingle with more prominent fresh sea breeze and oyster shell notes. Pink grapefruit tang with a hint of lemon zest are the first flavour impressions. Those make way for the briny sea breeze and oyster shell elements, along with a lime leaf and a chalky limestone mouthfeel. Overall, a complex mouthful with an understated red fruit nuance and a rich sourdough note from its time on the lees. Complex, cohesive and persistent.
Eye-catching stream of tiny, fine bubbles leads to a nose of lime leaf, sea breeze and a subtle undertone of florality, honey and dried apple rings. The vibrance of the crisp, fizzy lime and lemon sherbert tang is immediately apparent in the mouth, along with a grapefruit hint. Then a rich peacock’s tail of toasty, creamy, honeyed oatmeal cookie flavours unfolds. It’s full, rounded and textural but never loses its focus or taut tension because of the succulent acidity throughout. Beautifully composed, it is bright and fresh yet elegant, structured, genteel and rewardingly long.
Arresting bead of fine but vigorous bubbles that burst to the surface, carrying with it shy but complex aromas of citrus leaf, baked tarte tatin and a hint of lily-of-the-valley. Flavours of crunchy, tart, crisp green apple mingle with a kelpy, somewhat saline maritime note initially before becoming altogether richer, with baked bread, sesame cracker and even a roasted nut element becoming apparent. Complex and sophisticated with a superb balance of thrilling acid freshness and succulence with the fuller, creamy lees elements as well as retaining its vivid fruit expression. Poised, focussed, structured and long, it remains lively with citrus vibrance to the end.
The colour could be described as a suggestion of a pink blush or pale coral. The appeal continues with its ruby grapefruit and raspberry bouquet. That same ruby grapefruit succulence and zesty tang can be found on the palate. It’s bright and immediately engaging. A soft floral edge then develops which adds to the texture and mouthfeel of the wine. Lovely rounded body and harmony of fruit and acidity. Lovely citrus zest and peppery edge on the long but dry finish.
Pale salmon in color, this wine presents attractive aromas of plum and raspberry with a delicate hint of citrus zest. The palate is rounded and fruity, showcasing the brightness and liveliness of strawberry, raspberry, and plum. Beyond its delicious flavour, it offers a lovely mouthfeel and texture, with an appealing fleshiness. There is a light grip, and good body from some lees influence, creating a pleasing harmony of fruit and acid vibrance. The finish reveals citrus notes and an attractive, defined dryness.
Gentle spice nuance to ripe black cherry and blackcurrant aromas. Fresh, juicy and soft entry to the palate with the lovely ripe black fruits hinted at on the nose being apparent on the tongue. Again the spice highlights add interest, as does the light, dry tannin element.
Green apple, pear and summer fruits accompanied by wet stone and floral notes on the nose. Fresh lemon and lime zest is fleshed out by sweet apple and stone fruit on the palate. A delightfully crisp and refreshing wine with a long mineral finish that lures you back for more.
Plump, black hedgerow fruit with both a subtle tomato plant and spice note, as well as a gentle violet perfume. Ample black and blue fruit flavours but they are countered by a squeeze of dry tannin, making for a well defined mouthful. The palate is structured and generous with the mouthfeel providing an impression of refinement and elegance, as well as generosity and succulence. Oaking is subtle and well integrated.
A delicate nuance of chamomile adds depth and interest to the nose of typical stone fruit: apricot, and peach. Ripeness of rich fruits – nectarine, apricot and Golden Delicious apple – is tempered by a bright tang of citrus peel and fresh acidity. Adding dimension and depth is an exciting light chalky grip and evidence of time on lees. Rounded and full with good body and length. Impressive balance and focus in the way the fruit, acid and lees relate.
Subtle floral edge to stonefruit and pear aromas. Bright, tangy and fresh entry to the mouth. Crisp and lively with apple, orange and gentle pear fruit flavours livened by a touch of lemon or orange zest. Composed and poised with light to medium body, the wine is soft textured and appealing with a trace of citrus peel on the lengthy tail.
Aromas of tangy passionfruit, lime, and nectarine meld with notes of fresh fruit salad. The lively, crisp palate bursts with bright flavors of grapefruit, lime, and stone fruit. A vibrant acidity is complemented by a subtle hint of gravel and flint, adding layers of complexity and a dry, mineral edge to the mouthfeel. Focused and energetic, this wine finishes with a deliciously dry, lemon-zest note.
Ripe nectarine, peach and stone fruit aromas with a subtle citrus edge on the nose. On the palate, that same ripe stone fruit and nectarine are found, along with a lively spritz of lemon vibrance. Bright, juicy and fresh with light, perky and energetic body which is fleshed out with an understated lees note. The balance of fruit and acidity makes it a natural match for summertime enjoyment.
Softly attractive strawberry and raspberry aromas with a subtle floral fringe that complements its pale pink shade. The palate is fresh and juicy with a gentle citrus tang perfectly offset and balanced by the rounded berry compote flavours. There’s even an exotic suggestion of Turkish Delight. Appealing in its succulence and vibrancy, it has good body and presence. It’s no will o’ the wisp: it has substance and good length.
If the word “affable” were a wine, this would be it! The appeal starts with the friendly, dark berried and subtly spiced nose. It carries through to the confident, flavourful palate which impresses with its sheer drinkability and tastiness. Ample red and black cherry, plum, cocoa and even spicy cigarbox. Lovely soft, comfortable mouthfeel and a supple agility and succulence. Confident, comfortable in its own ability to charm, it finishes with a spicy, earthy, cocoa-tinged flourish.
Warm appeal of ripe blackberry, cherry and fruitcake aromas. Those same flavours step confidently onto the palate; black cherry, fruitcake and blackberry – with a light brush of herbs and trace of bonfire smoke too. Gentle and easy textured, its light to medium body makes for effortless enjoyment. Supple and succulent to the end.
Peppery edge to plum and black fruit aromas, with a hint of dried herbs. The entry to the palate is rounded and supple, populated with the black berry fruit and plums which the nose promised – nicely ripe. Fresh and succulent with good concentration and depth. The texture is soft and inviting, smooth and not overpowered by oak, tannin, acid or even fruit. Delicious in the harmony of the various elements of the wine with a sustained, spicy, long tail.
Typical melange of spice, plum compote, fresh ripe cherry and a shy powdery florality on the nose. The entry is rich, sweetly raisined and spicy with a dry, nuttiness apparent from its time in aged oak barrels. The integration on this fortified wine is beautiful, both the oak and fruit as well as the spirit addition. Nothing dominates, so the individual components harmonise in elegant and subtle fashion. It’s both complex and engaging. Texturally, it’s as if the wine is wearing a velvety cloak of chocolate-covered raisins. Delicious, comforting, mouth-wateringly tasty and the farewell is suitably dry, spicy and lingering.
Mesmerising golden incandescent colour. The nose offers trademark floral Muscat perfume with an intriguing liquorice edge. Then there’s honeycomb, sun ripe dried mango and sultana notes too. There’s more to the palate than simple rich, honeyed sweetness – which it has in abundance. Subtle macadamia and roasted pecan nuttiness with a cookie dough element can be discerned, along with the ripe sultana fruitiness. Fortification is well handled and although sweet, it’s also fresh, beautifully balanced and long.
Aromas of apricot fruit leather, caramel and polished oak with a touch of resin. The palate is rich and spirited with lovely warmth and breadth. Flavours of praline, brûléed sugar or dark caramel are discernible alongside the apricot, dried citrus peel and roasted nuts. Smooth textured and polished, it is refined and cohesive. There’s even a suggestion of ginger preserve. Beautiful integration of oak and spirit which makes the rich flavours linger long.
Rich caramel-gold colour. Mellow whiffs of baked apple with tarte tatin spice highlights and just a delicate hint of flowers and macadamia nuts which entice on the nose. The palate is suitably spirituous with apple strudel-, marzipan-, caramel- and baked biscuit-flavours. Pleasant balance and gentle rich praline notes which linger for ages.
Pure, unadulterated heady litchi perfume! No Ersatz essence notes whatsoever. Light potpourri whiff adds dimension and depth to the nose. The same holds true for the flavour. Undoubtedly distilled litchi spirit, it’s tropically fruity with an almost Turkish Delight exoticism. It’s smooth and gentle without any harsh spirit bite or aggression. The spirit lingers long in the mouth, finishing dry yet leaving a beautiful distinct flavour memory.
