A shy floral perfume lifts from the glass, layered ripe yet restrained notes of blueberry, plum, and spice. This interplay carries through onto the palate, where rich fruit compote flavours of black cherry, prune, and dark berries are balanced by a frame of creamy, gently spiced oak, seamlessly integrated. The texture is sleek and supple, with a smooth, silky mouthfeel that gives a sense of generosity without excess. Beneath this lies a quiet power and structure, lending shape and depth while remaining composed. Poised and harmonious, the wine shows both precision and depth, with the balance and structure to evolve over time.
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.
Complex nose which is a heady mix of inky, hedgerow fruit, trace of spice, dusting of cocoa powder and a brooding baked plum. The palate is immediately engaging in its succulent brightness, with abundant blueberry and black fruit notes. They lead to inky depths with good density where the rich cocoa, cinnamon powder and oak spice flavours are apparent. The ripeness is well judged and offset by its time in oak, cohesive, taut and compact with lovely poise and balance. Tannins are fine and dry and counter the lively acid freshness and fruit vibrance. Impressive, sleek and elegant with a persistent tail.
Genteel, suave and refined, t he nose is complex, layered with cassis, earth, hint of herbs, black cherry and spice. That same elegance is found in the mouth, sleek, supple and velvety on entry. The next element to become apparent is the harmony and balance of the ripe cassis, black cherry and dark berry fruit with succulent acid freshness. Afterwards, the herb, tobacco leaf, cedar and nutty notes make themselves known, along with the appropriately firm angularity of the tannin frame provided by oak maturation. Thrilling, taut and energetic, it’s drinking well now but will comfortably handled a decade or more in bottle.
Gentle floral nuance and subtle herb note on ripe plum and black cherry nose. The entry is textural: warm, rounded, soft and enveloping. Rich black cherry, mature plum and fruitcake flavours mingle with a lighter spice element. Lovely cohesion of those tasty fruit notes, with spice and structured oak that lends form and backbone without allowing the tannins to dominate or dry out the mouth. It remains fresh and succulent with a polished smoothness and rewardingly long finish.
A subtle floral hint lifts the rich nose of fruitcake, black berries, herb and peppery spice. Ripe, soft-textured and juicy black fruit is the first flavour in the mouth. Vibrant spice – nutmeg, pepper and cinnamon – then make their presence felt, followed by a creamy oak note. The wood, which is harmoniously knit with the fruit and fresh acid, lends both stature, frame and without taking over or dominating. Deeply rewarding with rounded mouthfeel and a long elegant tail. Genteel and refined.
Gentle aromas of fruitcake, dark berries and warm spice rise from the glass, with subtle floral notes and a hint of cracked pepper adding complexity. The palate is supple and textured, echoing the nose with layers of rich berry fruit and gentle fruitcake spice. A lively thread of spice brings freshness and energy, while the velvety mouthfeel adds depth and generosity. Well-integrated oak quietly supports the fruit, creating balance and harmony without dominating. The wine finishes long and poised, with lingering notes of spice and dark fruit. Equally rewarding to enjoy now or to cellar for added complexity.
Gentle aromas of fruitcake, dark berries and warm spice rise from the glass, with subtle floral notes and a hint of cracked pepper adding complexity. The palate is supple and textured, echoing the nose with layers of rich berry fruit and gentle fruitcake spice. A lively thread of spice brings freshness and energy, while the velvety mouthfeel adds depth and generosity. Well-integrated oak quietly supports the fruit, creating balance and harmony without dominating. The wine finishes long and poised, with lingering notes of spice and dark fruit. Equally rewarding to enjoy now or to cellar for added complexity.
Citrus aromas with stone fruit, lemongrass and a light dusting of gravel. That same lemon and lemongrass vibrance is found on the palate which is both bright, taut and tangy. Lively acidity keeps the nectarine, white peach and zesty citrus flavours front and centre, but with a flinty, petrichor edge. Compact and firm, the texture and mouthfeel display a delightful tension that adds to the structure of this young wine. Lovely tension of opposites in its youth but it will evolve, becoming richer and fuller with age and careful cellaring.
Subtle floral perfume with pear drop, green melon, peach and a touch of white pepper on the nose. Lively and fresh in the mouth with good acid tang and vibrance lending vivacity to the taste of stone fruit, nectarine, apricot and peach. Loquat too. Adding dimension and breadth along with texture is a creamy lees element. Lovely succulence and brightness makes this a balanced but long-lasting mouthful with a clean, crisp, defined finish.
A fruit salad bouquet of peach, apricot with fruit blossom perfume and honey with a sprinkling of spice. The palate displays that same generosity – with ample peach, nectarine and loquat to be found, alongside rich marzipan and honeyed notes and even a taste of creamy chamomile. Ripe, rounded, broad and mouth filling, it doesn’t become too full or bold since a bright line of acid keeps it fresh, lively and vibrant. A well balanced, full-flavoured but nuanced and composed mouthful with texture and length in spades. Thrilling.
An understated whiff of spice and oak mingles with ripe, sweet cherry and blueberry aromas so typical of the grape. The inherent affability and friendly cheerfulness of Cinsault is on full display in this wine, but there’s an impressive restraint and good framework which prevents it from being too straightforward or simple. It’s juicy, succulent, rounded and lively. The palate delivers oodles of youngberry, raspberry, cherry and plum fruit, along with a dusting of baking spices. Rather than trading purely on fruit vivacity it is balanced with gentle tannin backbone and composed structure. Its curves and generosity are unmistakable yet it remains nimble and sprightly with impressive length of flavour.
Lemon and grapefruit zest aromas with a dusty flint edge. Those same flavours immediately announce themselves on the palate, bright, tangy and vivacious. The interplay of fruit and zingy acid is beautifully harmonious and well judged. Underpinning it all is a structured, subtle lees depth which lends both body and length to the succulent mouthful.
Orange-fleshed stone fruit, loquat and autumn leaf aromas are fringed with a subtle gravel dust nuance. The wine shows more of the fleshy stone fruit flavours in the mouth: stewed golden cling peaches, nectarine and loquat lifted by a vibrant citrus zest and blossom element. Juicy and succulent initially it broadens, becoming rounded and rich, revealing its poise and structure along with a creamy lees note. Elegant and rewarding with good length, it has a well defined finish with a trace of lemon peel.
A subtle floral perfume and chamomile aroma adds depth to the nose of stone fruit with a shy, green foliage nuance as well. A confident and structured palate which immediately displays ripe, creamy flavour yet is also fresh, bright and lively. Oodles of nectarine and dried apricot with a riper mango nuance lending a tropicality to the flavour array. The rounded, creamy breadth shows lees character that adds both persistence and interest. Well-formed and elegant with a lovely succulent tang all the way to the finish, it will reward patience.
Gentle nose of blue and black fruit with a brush of spice, dried herb, licorice and a haunting violet floral note. Those same elements can be found in the mouth: the ripe blue and black berry fruits, herb, licorice and spice. It is abundantly fruited but genteel, refined and velvety smooth –but also fresh and succulent. Nothing is overplayed, the palate is structured and integrated with seamless oaking contributing to the soft mouthfeel and texture and framing the fruit well. Rewarding lingering tail and elegant finish.
Cracked black pepper and herb aromas mingle with dark berry fruit compote on the nose. The palate is savoury with a succulence that is both refreshing and moreish. The silky mouthfeel is complemented by the ripe, dark fruit – blackberry and plum – along with a more savoury nuance of olive tapenade, spice and even a charcuterie/meatiness reminiscent of the Northern Rhône. Structured, firm body with integrated tannin demonstrating that the oak is in harmony with the fruit. It’s showing the impact of the prolonged drought in its tautness but will reward patience.
A gentle trace of herby fynbos overlays a sweet ripe plum and blueberry bouquet, tinged with pepper and spice. Silky smooth entry, simultaneously opulent and spicy but restrained and showing a sense of reserve and decorum. Both red and black fruit – blackberry, cherry and plum – are balanced by a taut dryness that make for a clean, refined and elegant mouthful. It is suave and sleek, rather than flashy or obvious. Poised, delivering succulent generosity but with a notable dry tannic frame that promises good longevity and development. It bids farewell with a gentle, lingering softness and flavour memory.
Appealing aromas of cherry and raspberry fruit with a trace of bonfire and floral perfume. A wine that whispers seductively rather than shouts. The red fruits promised by the nose are delivered on the palate: maraschino cherry, ripe raspberry and rich fruitcake – all sprinkled with bold spice. A light peppery nuance can be found too, lending the mouthful a vibrance and appealing energy. The buoyant fruit is countered by a deeper, loamy, forest floor element that demonstrates the balance of opposites. The cohesion of light and dark, delicacy and elegance with sinewy power lends agility and wonderful texture and tension of opposites. The oak is so well-knit it’s almost unobtrusive, lending structure and texture. Overall, a complex, rewarding and deliciously persistent mouthful.
Seductive and alluring spicy dark fruit compote scents mingle with abundant earth and a subtle floral fragrance. Velvety smooth, caressingly suave, supple and rich in the mouth. A textural delight because the mouthfeel is so seductive. Rich black cherry and plum abundance with spice notes lending brightness while the seamlessly integrated oak provides structure. Composed, well balanced with good backbone. The wine is rewardingly long with an inherent elegance and finesse.
Clean, crisp lemon sherbet zest and biscuit nose. The palate follows the same track: vibrant, crisp, clean and tangy with bright freshness. Focused and poised with gentle but beguiling flavours of succulent lemon sherbet and understated trace of orange marmalade before a richer, rewarding, broad creamy toast, biscuit and brioche note from time on lees becomes apparent. Persistent dry tail.
Vigorous fine bead with green apple, lemon, yeast and fresh sea breeze aromas. The palate echoes those aromatic notes with its crisp lemon freshness and green apple vibrance that is brushed with grapefruit and citrus zest. A gentle, creamier biscuit and toast note then develops. Elegant and well structured with good fruit, acidity and lees harmony. The finish is long, dry and crisply detailed.
Pale salmon hue, with generous bouquet of lime cordial, oyster shell, fresh sea breeze and apple. Tang of crunchy, crisp green apple and raspberry, vivacious and bright, are immediately apparent on the palate. Lively fizz and energy of the mousse lends additional appeal. Lime marmalade and citrus zest appear before a fantail of toasty brioche, sourdough and creamy lees unfurls. Poised, focused, dry and cohesive to the end.
The charm begins with the persistent “string of pearls” bubbles that rise to the surface, carrying with it aromas of vivid green apple, lime, a note of tarte tatin and honey. There’s a hint of sea spray and chalky limestone too. Zingy, fresh and taut with lovely vivid acidity and energy. The flavour of crunchy Granny Smith apple, lime with a grapefruit zest note are instantly apparent before the crispness shape shifts into a rich, baked tarte tatin. Lovely contrast of energetic liveliness and zippy citrus effervescence with lingering creamy, caramel, brioche and pastry richness. Poised and rewarding. Fun and engaging all the way to its broad, long tail.
Fine, energetic bubbles. Trademark kelp and sea breeze with a trace of citrus zest and sourdough bread. Bright lemon sherbet freshness on the palate entry. Trademark light oyster and briny sea air notes buffer the energetic and lovely crisp citrus tang of acidity. Time on lees in the bottle then lends a rounded upwelling of rich, creamy, yeast flavours, along with the same sourdough from the nose. Structured, firm and dry with a purposeful and elegant complexity. Classic, rewarding and long.
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.
Appealing cherry and spice with light tendrils of smoke on the bouquet. The palate delivers more of the cherry typicity, dark and inviting, with inky depth offset by succulence. Composed and balanced with that lively acid freshness, generous fruit flavour and structure adding to its appeal. Pliable and supple, it has well integrated fine dry tannins in support. Long and rewarding.
Melon, nectarine and white peach with a light dusting of flint on the nose. Deliciously tangy and succulent on entry. Refreshing summer fruit salad with the melon and stone fruit joined by a lively green apple crunchiness. Vibrant, perky and zippy with bright, acidic citrus notes. Ideal for summertime lunches.
Complex and alluring bouquet of dark berry fruits: a melange of plum, violets, spice, tobacco leaf, cedar, earth with a light, perfumed cherry blossom nuance. Velvety smooth entry. The wine is all about texture: silky, supple and pliable it glides over the tongue. Understated spicy cedar underpins the juicy succulence and rounded, ripe, plush dark berry and plum fruit flavour. Super appealing structure and composition or mouthfeel, much of which can be attributed to the unobtrusive yet elegantly harmonious oak used in its maturation. Layered, poised and deliciouslyrewarding, it lingers on the palate.
A gentle floral aroma hovers over the more prominent nectarine and stone fruit on the nose. Bright tangy freshness and vivacity can be found in the mouth. Lively citrus zest, nectarine, apricot and even a touch of fig. The perky body and energy comes from the fruit and the grape’s typical acidity being well matched, lending it attitude as well as breadth. An ideal summertime sipping companion!
Oranges – the ripe fruit segments as well as leaves – mingle with spanspek and a subtle baked earth note on the nose. The palate is nimble and light with more of the same citrus vitality and life. A zippy lemon tang joins the orange fruit element but with a gentle creamy lees nuance which adds both breadth and interest to the wine. It’s uncomplicated and easy to like but not simple or one dimensional. Pleasant body, length and personality. Ideal for summer enjoyment.
A nettle and herbaceous element support the more typical grapefruit aromatics of this wine. Lively, tangy, bright and zingy, its vivacious nature is immediately obvious. After that first impression, the taut succulence and zip of lemon and grapefruit flavour come through. Agile with a lean, willowy structure, there is a wet pebble and flint nuance that adds to its outgoing character. An obvious crowd pleaser, it is nonetheless balanced and fresh with a taut, well-defined finish.
Citrus and stonefruit with honeydew melon aromas. Gently ripe and rounded, the palate is broad and appealing with its melon, lemon and grapefruit zest countered by the vivd stone fruit flavours. Nimble and vivacious with crisp, tangy acid to balance the fruit vibrancy. Light-bodied and fun, it’s easy to enjoy but not without a serious side, as evidenced by the lees note and subtle flinty, almost mineral, tail.
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.
Tendrils of smoke drift over blueberry and plum fruit with an understated touch of cocoa on the nose. There’s an affability and approachable ease to the palate. Lively and fresh with the same plum and berry fruit the nose promised. Juicy and vibrant, a light trace of dark cocoa powder lends richness and nuance. The body is gently yielding but boasts a nice firm frame and oodles of textural appeal.
Appealing fruitcake aromas and flavours with traces of both spice and gentle floral notes. A warm, rounded, comforting texture marks the first impression of the wine in the mouth. Ripe, fruity and succulent with ample berry and black cherry flavours that are well supported by appropriate, rather than stern or overbearing, dominant oak. Spice and cedar nuances can also be found but it’s the mouthfeel and texture of the wine that really boosts its appeal. It’s approachable and affable but with good backbone and character. Length and poise too. Comfortably a wine that over delivers in many aspects.
Shy spice whiffs complement the bolder blue and black fruit and more typical plum aromas. Those same rich blue and black fruit flavours are on the palate; plum, cherry, mulberry and blueberry. Ripe, rounded and plush with a gentle touch of vanilla cream, it is structured, poised and integrated. The oak has added a light spice element that complements the fynbos and herb note that can be found. Lovely cohesion and impressive long finish.
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.
Florality is the first observation, both elderflower and orange blossom – but then a subtle coconut biscuit nuance becomes apparent on the nose. The palate is vibrant and tangibly crisp courtesy of its youth. Taut, focused, and vital with zesty citrus and even lemon pepper flavour. Its perkiness is not without form: the wine has good body and frame with an understated lees element lending it breadth and texture. Refreshing, bright and characterful, it drinks well now and will also reward patience.
