Long weekend favourites

Leeuwenkuil Shiraz 2023 – R 95
‘Pure drinkability, blackberry fruit & pepper spice untroubled by oak. Soft tannins & meaty undertones show some ageing potential but why wait? Enjoy it now.’ –Platter’s Guide. 4*

La Brune The Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – R 145
This vintage has not been rated; see 2023 vintage tasting notes:
'Very fresh with ripe figs with gooseberry and grassy notes. Mineral core to the wine which are coated with texture which creates a wonderful mouthfeel. Figs, gooseberry and some asparagus ending with a dry clean finish. 4 months on the lees to create texture and mouthfeel on the mid-palate.' – Nico Grobler, Winemaker

Niepoort Drink Me Tinto 2021 – R 170
This vintage has not been rated; see 2019 vintage tasting notes:
'Mid purple crimson with vibrant purple rim. But the colour is not as vibrant as the fruit, which soars from the glass, in sweet black fruit aromas especially blackcurrant and cassis but with the wildness of elderberry. Dark-red fruits too, mulberry and raspberry. There’s a dark, rocky, almost dusty, overlay that I associate with the Douro though the wine is labelled as a wine of Portugal. Deep and rich-fruited on the palate, generous and yet so lively and fresh, with what might be a little bit of extra sweet spice from the oak. Dry and fine tannins balance all the zesty fruit. Still pretty firm. Drink Me is so apt for this wine but at the moment I’d broach it with food. A great all-rounder. It may not be a wine for long ageing but I think this will be even better with another 6 months in bottle.'– Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16+/20

Beaumont Chenin Blanc 2024 – R 175
This vintage has not been rated yet; see 2023 vintage tasting notes:
‘Fermented using a combination of cultured and natural yeasts in concrete and stainless steel tanks. The nose is enticing with notes of floral fragrance, dried herbs, guava and citrus while the palate is clean and fresh – a good core of fruit and lively acidity precede a dry finish. “Pure deliciousness” reads the back label and that’s exactly what this is.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 90/100

Chapoutier Bila-Haut Rouge 2022 – R 195
‘The 2022 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Bila Haut has some classic Roussillon notes of darker berries, peppery herbs, spice, and loamy earth. With medium-bodied richness and a supple, elegant, layered mouthfeel, it will compete with wines two to three times its price.’ – Jeb Dunnuck, 91/100

Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2023 – R 220
‘The wine that kickstarted cap classique. 2023 has chardonnay leading pinot noir 55/44, unlike last-tasted 2021 when latter was 83%. Zippy lime & apple with broad, creamy bread & biscuit notes from 14 month on lees. Balanced, rich & long. Also in 1.5L’ –Platter’s Guide, 4*