Strauss & Co, '2012 vintage' themed sale
Online only | Ends 7pm on Monday, 14 March

Strauss & Co's current '2012 vintage' themed sale features a horde of local icons from the 2012 vintage as well as wines from France and Italy. The local line-up is hugely diverse, with standout lots from Beaumont, Delaire Graff, Glenelly, Kershaw, Keet, Raats, Tokara, De Grendal, and De Krans, including an extremely rare case of Alheit Vineyards' Radio Lazarus. The international line-up is prolific with the likes of Figeac, Lynch-Bages, Mouton Rothschild, Haut-Brion, Léoville-Las Cases, and La Mission Haut-Brion from Bordeaux, Hermitage la Chapelle and Vieux Telegraphe from the Rhône, Armand Rousseau, Bonneau du Martray, and Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey from Burgundy, and Sassicaia from Italy.

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Syrah showdown: SA and the Northern Rhône
Tasting review & our highlights

The second event in our current tasting series pitted local Syrahs against some of the Rhône's best. The blind tasting highlighted how SA Syrah is on fire. It's understandable why some have developed a cult status and sell out on release. Highlights included the 2018 Boschkloof Epilogue vs. the stunning 2019 Verzier Saint Joseph Empreinte, and the wonderfully dense 2018 Clape Renaissance Cornas alongside the 2018 Porseleinberg. The 2019 Radford Dale Nudity was one of the favourites, beguiling us with its verve and Northern Rhône-like characteristics.

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Bouchard Finlayson, Kaaimansgat Chardonnay 2020
R 195 per bottle

The Kaaimansgat vineyard lies within the renowned Elandskloof valley (700m elevation). After 24+ years of working with this vineyard, Bouchard Finlayson's 2020 Kaaimansgat has a proven track record and remarkable ageing potential, while being an absolute steal under R200. The 2020 is drinking beautifully now, with inviting stone fruit and citrus notes leading to a palate with a powerful, salty end. It could age for 10+ years but, honestly, there's no need to wait.

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Thierry Germain, Saumur-Champigny 2020
R 440 per bottle

Loire's Cabernet Franc specialist, Thierry Germain, has yet again hit the bullseye! 'Precision, fruit purity and weightless concentration' highlight this classy 2020 Saumur-Champigny according to Greg Sherwood MW. Densely packed black and blue fruits, together with finely-knit tannins, precede the attractive, floral and herbaceous aromatics. Allow it time to unwind in the glass and showcase its full potential.

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Kanonkop, Paul Sauer 2015: The best is yet to come
R 3,750 per bottle

Since the 2015 received 100 points from Tim Atkin MW, the SA fine wine community has been abuzz about quality vs. pricing. We've recently taken in another parcel of this iconic wine and, to put it plainly, it is world-class claret with an unmistakeably local DNA. Though the wine has seen significant price growth since getting a perfect score, we believe it's absolutely worth it. Considering the performance of past vintages against First Growths in blind tastings, even at its current price, the 2015 still offers value and has a long future ahead.

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Alain Graillot tribute
Remembering a Rhône icon

Alain Graillot, a chemical engineer turned revered Northern Rhône winemaking giant, passed away last Friday at the age of 77. We are honoured to have tasted, drunk and sold his wines and those of his son, Maxime, over many years. He raised the game in Crozes-Hermitage and was instrumental in changing the perception of Crozes from low quality, cheap wines to sought-after, cult-status cuvées. Humble, detailed, dedicated and generous, he will be missed. Sincere respect and condolences to his family and friends.