View in your browser

95-point new release from Albert van Niekerk	Friday, 9 September 2022

Dear *|FNAME|*,

Strauss & Co’s latest live virtual auction features iconic New World wines rarely seen in the South African market, including several 100-pointers! Penfolds Grange, Screaming Eagle, Sine Qua Non and Opus One are all on offer, as well as incredible local lots from Duncan Savage (Tim Atkin’s Winemaker of the Year), Alheit Vineyards, and Rust en Vrede.

Atkin’s newly launched 2022 SA Report has been on everyone’s minds and lips this week, and Bloemendal’s super-limited, 96-point Suider Terras Sauvignon Blanc 2017 was among the top-rated wines. The maiden release of Albert van Niekerk’s Sonwater 2021 also boasts an impressive quality-to-price ratio at R255 per bottle, with 95 points from Christian Eedes. Finally, today’s roundup wouldn’t be complete without the Italian charm of Marco Marengo’s 2017 Barolo – an elegant and characterful wine that we can’t get enough of.

Bloemendal Suider Terras Sauvignon Blanc 2017
R 310 PER BOTTLE

This 96-point old-vine Sauvignon Blanc is ‘the Cape's answer to Château Haut-Brion Blanc’, says Tim Atkin. ‘Stony, saline and intense with sea breeze and pink grapefruit notes’, he continues. Planted in 1982 on the northern slope of the Kanonberg Mountain, these old vines have adapted to the harsh conditions. The gnarly and twisted vines, shaped by the assault of the infamous South Easter, produce a miniscule crop and a rare and special wine. We’re delighted to have a small allocation and offer it to you first.

Order Online >

Strauss & Co New World Wines Live Virtual Auction
Sunday, 18 September at 11am

Strauss & Co is proud to offer a truly unprecedented list of New World icon wines. The line-up includes various vintages of Penfolds Grange, Henschke, and Jim Barry from Australia. The US is well represented with Screaming Eagle, Sine Qua Non, Opus One, Dominus, Ridge and Harlan – some of which have received perfect scores from Robert Parker. Almaviva from Chile and Kumeu River from New Zealand are also on auction, along with top wines from Alheit Vineyards, Rust en Vrede, Vilafonté, De Trafford, and Hamilton Russell.

Register now and browse the lots >

Marengo Barolo 2017
R 625 per bottle

Winemaking has been part of the Marengo family since 1899 and, with only six hectares of vineyards, their Barolos are extremely limited. Whilst their range offers fabulous value across the board, from the playful Dolcetto d’Alba to the long-ageing Barolo Brunate, the Marengo Barolo 2017 strikes the perfect balance. ‘Bold, rich and ample in the glass – the 2017 is gorgeous,’ writes Vinous’ Antonio Galloni. Grab the last of the 2017, which is packed with rich cherry and plum fruit, laced with tobacco and leather spice. It’s drinking beautifully now but can benefit from further ageing.

Order Online >

Van Niekerk Vintners Sonwater 2021
R 255 PER bottle

Assistant winemaker of Crystallum and Thorne & Daughters, Albert van Niekerk, has created a wonderfully concentrated and pure Swartland Chenin-based blend, scoring a well-deserved 95 points from Christian Eedes for the maiden release. Layers of stone fruit, bright citrus, crushed stone and flinty reduction make the Sonwater 2021 compelling. Christian agrees, calling it a ‘very accomplished’ wine. Tim Atkin hails 2021 as ‘one of the best recent white wine vintages in the Cape’, and with only 900 bottles produced, this wine will sell out fast.

Order Online >

Play today’s Winedle

Try our vinous take on a popular word game. Guess the wine-related word in a limited number of turns, and challenge your friends to do better. Our wine recommendations may provide a clue.