Wine Cellar

Wine:  Sandstone

An innovative, late release, unwooded, lower alcohol Sauvignon blanc driven blend. This maiden vintage shows rich, secondary bottle age characters with a marked minerality and vibrant length.

Wine:  Chardonnay

Better is the outstanding 2009 Chardonnay that is sourced from Hemel-en-Aarde and Elgin and aged for 10 months in 225-liter French oak with 34% new (the rest 2nd fill). The nose is beautifully defined with scents of melon, honeysuckle and white peach with just a hint of creme patissiere. The palate is fresh and crisp on the entry with subtle almond and hazelnut. It has wonderfully integrated vanilla-tinged oak and a tense, mineral-rich finish that is Corton-Charlemagne in all but name and price. This is one of South Africa’s benchmark Chardonnays. Drink now-2018+ WA

Wine:  CWG Chardonnay

Wine:  Secateurs Chenin Blanc

Wine:  Secateurs Chenin Blanc

Wine:  White

Bottled in January, the 2009 Family White Blend is a blend of around ten white varieties that Adi tried his best to remember. We got as far as Chenin Blanc, Grenache Gris, Palomino, Clairette and Semillon, but we might have been there all day. The striking thing about the nose is the definition, for the 2009 shows greater precision than the 2008, whilst the Palomino does indeed impart a sherry-like tincture. The palate is supremely well balanced and demonstrates greater tension and vibrancy than the 2008, as if the grapes are working together, moving in the same direction. It is very focused on the finish and should age beautifully. Drink now-2016+. WA

Wine:  Chenin Blanc

Wine:  Hope Marguerite

Wine:  The Bernhard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc

nose comes through with bold layers of white pear, tropical notes of melon and orange zest essence and a slight redutivity, there is a savoury component of smocked beef and corriander seeds, the palete follows from the nose but is warped up tightly waiting for time to set it free, it has a full spriny dense mouth feel with a taughtness induced by the acidity. Decanting will benifit for drinking now, cellaring will unvaile a promising metamorphasis.

Wine:  Kaaimansgat Chardonnay

Wine:  Kaaimansgat Chardonnay

The initial aroma came through with oats, granola and cereal, and a second layer of chopped tinned pineapple, wild fern and a bright glow of yellow fruit. Smooth lightly textured on entry, very delicate mouth feel with confident flavors following through from the nose and a subtle tartness on the finish, a wine with finesse and style. Drinking beautifully now till 2013

Wine:  Missionavale Chardonnay

Wine:  Sauvignon Blanc

Wine:  Chardonnay

Wine:  Isliedh

Wine:  Isliedh

Wine:  Isliedh

(to be released in October 2011) Even more impressive is the fabulous 2010 Isliedh Sauvignon Blanc. Named after the property owner’s grand-daughter (pronounced “i-la” like the whisky!) the vineyard is located 200-metres just up from the beach on Cape Point, barrel fermented for 10 months in barrel with 50% new oak and 25% Semillon. It has a more introverted nose at first with lanolin, honeysuckle and a touch of white peach that takes time to open, but is worth the wait. The palate is very well balanced with good acidity, a gorgeous waxy texture and the Semillon taking control on the white peach, pineapple and passion fruit tinged finish with superb delineation. If you are going to pay fifty dollars for a Sauvignon Blanc, then make it this one. Drink now-2016. WA

Wine:  Sauvignon Blanc

Wine:  Sauvignon Blanc Reserve

The stupendous 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve is blended with 9% Semillon and spent 14 months in 600-liter barrels. The nose is well defined with green apple, grapefruit and a touch of beeswax. The palate is well balanced with lovely tropical fruits in the background, good acidity with hints of passion fruit and dried apricot, leading to a well-defined finish. This is a great South African “Savvy.” Drink now-2015. WA

Wine:  Splattered Toad White

Wine:  Bukettraube

Wine:  Chardonnay

Wine:  Chardonnay Reserve

The 2009 Chardonnay Reserve is sourced from a single vineyard of 27-years old vines cropped at around 4 tons per hectare (partly due to leaf roll.) It is barrel fermented and raised for 14 months barrel with 10% raised in concrete Nomblot eggs. It has a well-defined Burgundy-like bouquet with fine mineralite and succinctness. The palate is beautifully poised with well-integrated new oak and an attractive leesy finish with hints of bitter lemon and lime cordial. This is an outstanding example of South African Chardonnay. Drink now-2020. WA

Wine:  Chardonnay Reserve

Wine:  Viognier

Wine:  Clay Shales Chardonnay

The two Chardonnays are elegantly styled with the Clay Shale’s being purely Upper-Hemel-en-Aarde fruit. They show the typical Burgundian flint and white pear notes, and are very low in availability. Far better is the 2009 Clay Shales Chardonnay that was raised in barrel for 14 months. Despite struggling through malo, it has better definition on the nose than the 2008 with light hazelnut and almond aromas. The palate is well balanced with touches of vanilla and spice on the entry, and there’s good depth with a well-defined, edgy finish that lingers beautifully in the mouth. Drink now-2015. WA

Wine:  The Agnes Chardonnay

The two Chardonnays are elegantly styled with the Clay Shale’s being purely Upper-Hemel-en-Aarde fruit. They show the typical Burgundian flint and white pear notes, and are very low in availability.

Wine:  Chenin Blanc Reserve

The 2009 Reserve Chenin Blanc (the renamed Chenin Blanc) has a light golden hue. The nose is muted at first but opens up to offer honeysuckle and candied orange peel aromas. The palate is very pure and well balanced with good acidity, apricot, Clementine and a touch of lime zest that leads to a very poised finish. This is a consummate Chenin Blanc, although I suspect that the 2010 will be even better. Drink now-2017. WA

Wine:  Chenin Blanc Reserve

Due to be bottled the next week, the 2010 Reserve Chenin Blanc has a very pure bouquet that likes to unfurl in the glass: peach, dried apricot and a touch of jasmine breaking through all with fine definition. The palate is well balanced with good acidity. It has a lovely slightly viscous texture with a complex finish of apricot, citrus peel, lime and just a touch of spice. Very harmonious and beautifully poised: this is what a sublime Chenin Blanc this will be! Drink 2012-2017+.WA

Wine:  Chenin Blanc Four V

Wine:  Rhine Riesling

Like a fencing sword wiping through the air it is , mineral persistent and linear

Wine:  The Site Chardonnay

Wine:  CWG Happy Hour

Wine:  Unfiltered Semillon

Wine:  Pheasants Run Sauvignon Blanc

Wine:  Chardonnay

Cropped at 16.86 hectoliter per hectare and raised in 35% new oak barrels, the 2010 Chardonnay is more reserved than the 2009 but retains very fine delineation with hints of grapefruit and nectarine. The palate has a very attractive hazelnut and lanolin-tinged entry. It has wonderful definition and a taut, citrus finish that is long in the mouth. Try to resist temptation and cellar this for several years. Drink 2012-2020. WA

Wine:  Chardonnay

The 2011 Chardonnay has a particularly beautiful fruit profile (pears and limes) and a generous viscous palate balancing the tight, dry, mineral core of the wine and the bright line of natural acid. The vintage was a touch warmer than 2009 and 2010, which accounts for the wines slightly more generous palate at this point in its development. The alcohol at 13.23% remains low however.

Wine:  Riesling

Made in the Kabinett style with 12% alcohol and 20g/l sugar, this is one of SA's finest Rieslings. From vineyards high up in the Swartberg, it retains wonderful purity and freshness with a delicious limey core. Drink with sushi, or cellar for extra complexity over the next 5 years.

Wine:  Chenin Blanc

Handcrafted in Swartland by winemaker Jurgen Gouws, the 2009 Chenin Blanc is sourced from three different parcels of 35-40 year old bush vines and raised 11 months in French oak. It has fine purity on the nose with touches of fresh pear, dried apricot, cinnamon and a little hazelnut. The palate is very well balanced with good acidity, very natural and refined with a pleasing spicy, walnut tinged finish that shows great composure if not quite the precision of top Chenin. But for a debut vintage this is very promising, especially since Jurgen will blend in 60-year old bush vines next year. Just 60 cases produced but will increase in the future. WA

Wine:  Terrasse

A blend of 88% Chenin Blanc, 7% Chardonnay and 5% Viognier, the 2010 Terrasse was raised in 2nd and 3rd year French oak. It has fine delineation on the nose with lime flower, coconut, patisserie and a touch of brioche. The palate is vibrant and fresh on the entry with good acidity, a nice citrus seam that cuts through the vanilla and almond-tinged fruit with impressive precision on the saline finish. Bon vin! Drink now-2016. WA

Wine:  FMC

Sourced from Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1967, with natural wild yeast fermentation, and raised in about 85% new oak, the flagship 2009 The FMC has a beautifully defined, intoxicating bouquet with lemon curd, frangipane, almond and just a touch of nutmeg. The palate has a rounded, waxy texture with wonderful harmony and precision. There are subtle flavours of dried apricot, brioche, vanilla, a touch of honey (perhaps a little botrytis) and a hint of spice. Seductive, harmonious and very focussed, The FMC is a sublime expression of South African Chenin Blanc. Drink now-2020. WA

Wine:  Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Wine:  The Mentors Grenache

Wine:  Cellar Foot Hárslevelü

Lime green in colour with a golden tinge. Initial notes of salami, apple pie, pepper and herbs appear on the nose. These blow off after time and more subtle perfumes arise. The acidity is naturally high (massive) it is well balanced by soapy texture (good texture). The high mineral notes on the mouth and unique cultivar leave an extremely long and wild finish.

Wine:  Chenin Blanc

Nose has oxidative components of beez wax and toffee, with french toast, acorns and bran mufin. There is lots of texture on the palate is defined by the fresh acidity which blends the different flavours together. , lots of herbs and aromas to play with.

Wine:  LAM Chenin/Viognier

A Chenin 60%, Viognier 40% blend. A fresh entry of spearmint and green fizzer exposing yellow stone fruit, a woolen edge, slight nuttiness and lime cordial, this follows through on the palate. Entry is smooth with and sleek with a humble alcohol of 12,5%

Wine:  Roulette Blanc

While the 2009 was a Platter 5 Star, we feel the 2010 is superior with a finer texture and more freshness. It's a blend of a number of varieties but chenin and chardonnay make up the majority. Some beezwax, green apple, cinamon and five spice lead to a long, structured and elegant palate. A serious wine that punchs above its price!

Wine:  Chenin Blanc

Wine:  Kloof Street Chenin Blanc

Wine:  White

The 2010 White Blend consists of 80% Chenin Blanc, 10% Viognier and 10% Clairette fermented and aged in old French barrels for 12 months during which it goes through complete malo. It has an exquisite bouquet with notes of grapefruit, honeysuckle, melted candle wax and a hint of jasmine. The palate is well-balanced with a lovely, creamy textured entry. Racy from start to finish with just a dash of spice, dried honey, mango and orange zest and impressive persistence, this is a superb Chenin Blanc blend. Drink now-2018. WA

Wine:  Chardonnay

Wine:  Sauvignon Blanc

Drinking period: 2011-2016

Wine:  Chardonnay

In a different league is Cluver’s superb 2009 Chardonnay that is wild fermented in French oak (35% new) and raised on its gross lees for nine months. The nose is well defined with some fine leesy aromas, whilst the palate is taut and vibrant with a lovely creamy finish that maintains freshness and poise. Drink now-2017 WA

Wine:  Chardonnay

Wine:  Close Encounter Riesling

Wine:  Gewurtztraminer

Wine:  Riesling

Wine:  Oculus

The outstanding 2007 Oculus is a blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Viognier, lees aged in oak over 12 months. It sports a very engaging, aromatic nose of white peach, pear skin with a hint of passion fruit, and perhaps more Viognier than Sauvignon. The palate is full in the mouth with a vibrant spicy entry of melon, apricot and orange peel, very good acidity and superb concentration on the honeyed finish. Drink now-2014. WA

Wine:  The Nicobar

Wine:  Chenin Blanc

One-quarter of the 2009 Chenin Blanc is fermented in 300-liter French oak and that shows within a lovely, ripe, melon and grapefruit bouquet with touches of pressed white flower and jasmine. The palate is well balanced on the entry with a hint of bell pepper and citrus (lemon). Nicely balanced with a touch of dried apricot, nectarine and spice towards the crisp finish, this fine Chenin Blanc brims with character and charm. Drink now-2016 WA