PIETER FERREIRA is synonymous with top Cap Classique and Graham Beck, South African sparkling wine made in the traditional way for which the top brands of Reims, Épernay and elsewhere in the Champagne region of France are world-famous. Some refer to him as ‘Bubbles’ Ferreira, cellarmaster at the Graham Beck outfit in Robertson since Day 1, back in 1990. Many
Read morePRETTY GOOD, yet pretty quiet, somewhat mysterious… It was only a few months back that we heard about the new version of Pinotage from Kanonkop – just that a third Pinotage from the Krige brothers, winemaker Abrie Beeslaar and their team was on the cards, to be released under the second-tier Kadette label, but no fanfare to speak of. And
Read moreTHE GOLD MEDAL that Robertson’s Rietvallei Wine Estate has won with a 2012 at this year’s Chardonnay du Monde in Burgundy, France, follows the gold medal they won with a 2011 at the same competition last year. Prior to last year Rietvallei Chardonnay wasn’t on many radar screens, but having been selected among a Top 10 at a reputable tasting
Read moreWHAT APPEALS most about the Graham Beck Pheasants’ Run is how it affects the senses. Kinda obvious, right?! Over the past 10 years this has become one of South Africa’s Sauvignon Blanc benchmarks, one of the three most consistent top performers in this category together with Steenberg Reserve and Cederberg – no fewer than eight highly rated vintages in succession, including the 2012 released a few
Read moreWHITE BLENDS from South Africa that have been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which cost less than R80 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the winery is closed to the public: ALTYDGEDACHT The Ollo 2011 – R75 ALVI’S DRIFT Chardonnay Viognier 2011 – R34 BON
Read moreSOUTH AFRICAN Shiraz that has been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which costs less than R80 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the winery is closed to the public: BRAMPTON 2009 – R55 CITRUSDAL CELLARS’ Six Hats 2010 – R50 CLOOF The Very Sexy 2009 – R75
Read moreSOUTH AFRICAN Sauvignon Blanc that has been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which costs no more than R50 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the public can’t buy directly from the producer: ARABELLA 2012 – R38 BERGSIG 2012 – R45 BOLAND CELLAR’S Flutterby 2012 – R25
Read moreGREAT BUYS for the festive season… Red blends that have been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which cost no more than R70 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the public can’t buy directly from the producer: BERNHEIM Classique 2008 – R70 BONNIEVALE CELLAR Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2011
Read moreGREAT BUYS for the festive season… Pinotage that has been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND that costs less than R80 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the public can’t buy directly from the producer: ALLEE BLEUE Starlette 2011 – R42 BEYERSKLOOF 2011 – R55 BOLAND CELLAR Reserve No
Read moreSOUTH AFRICAN Merlot that has been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which costs less than R100 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the cellar is closed to the public: ANURA Reserve 2009 – R95 BILTON 2008 – R89 BOLAND CELLAR Reserve No 1 2009 – R77 CLOS MALVERNE 2010 –
Read moreSA CHENIN BLANC highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which costs less than R50 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the cellar is closed to the public: ALVI’S DRIFT 2012 – R29 ARABELLA 2012 – R38 BON COURAGE Like Father Like Son 2012 – R29 BOSCHENDAL 2011 – R41
Read moreGREAT BUYS for the festive season… Chardonnay from South Africa that has been highly recommended by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world this year AND which costs less than R80 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the cellar is closed to the public: BERGSIG 2010 – R66 BOLAND CELLAR Reserve No 1 2010
Read moreGREAT BUYS for the festive season… Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa that has been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which costs less than R100 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the cellar is closed to the public. BLUE CRANE 2010 – R80 BOLAND CELLAR Reserve No
Read moreCAP CLASSIQUE sparkling wines highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which cost less than R100 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the cellar is closed to the public. Fantastic for those festive season parties. BOSCHENDAL Le Grand Pavillon Brut Rosé NV – R99 DARLING CELLARS Blanc de
Read moreWHITE BLENDS to rival the best in the world, the experts’ choice, top South African wines on the basis of authoritative reviews around the globe in 2012 – with Cape Point, Miles Mossop, Tokara and Vergelegen among the premier league regulars, plus some new names on the radar: AA Badenhorst 2010 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide Allée Bleue Isabeau 2011 – Top 100 SA
Read moreTHE STAND-OUT red blends, the best reviews of the year from around the world – and mostly premium-priced, with only seven under R100 a bottle (highlighted below), 38 ranging between R100 and R200pb, 26 between R200 and R300pb, eight between R300 and R400pb, and eight ranging between R450 and R725 per bottle: AA Badenhorst 2009 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide
Read moreSYRAH, SHIRAZ, whatever you prefer to call it, here are the stand-out examples from South Africa in 2012, the top wines as reviewed by expert tasting panels around the world – and with more than a couple of accolades for Boschendal, Cederberg, Cirrus, Ernie Els, Fairview, Hartenberg, Mullineux and Saronsberg: Allée Bleue 2010 – gold medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition
Read moreSTAND-OUT Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa, the best reviews of the year from around the world for a wine’s that’s particularly popular when it comes to summertime entertainment, lunching and dining outdoors – and with more than a couple of top accolades for Buitenverwachting, Diemersdal, Kleine Zalze and Lomond: Bloemendal 2012 – double gold medal at Veritas Awards Boschendal Reserve Collection 2012 – gold
Read moreTHE STAND-OUT Pinotage wines, the best reviews of the year when it comes to South Africa’s most successful ‘indigenous’ variety – with Rijk’s heading up a select group of multi award winners including Bellingham, Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, Kaapzicht, Simonsig, Spier, the Swartland Winery and Windmeul: Allée Bleue 2009 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection Altydgedacht 2011 – winner in Top 10 Pinotage Competition Bellingham
Read moreTHE STAND-OUT Pinot Noir from South Africa, the best reviews from around the world – and as per usual there’s only a very select group of cellars in the Cape that can muster something very special from this ‘heartbreak’ grape: Bouchard Finlayson Tete de Cuvee Galpin Peak 2009 – gold medal at Five Nations Challenge Chamonix Reserve 2010 – trophy at Decanter
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