Banele Vakele is creating some of the most exciting wines in SA. Now in its fifth release, Tembela – named after his late mother – translates from isiXhosa to 'faith', 'hope' and 'belief'. If his wines are not on your radar yet, you’re missing out.
Having worked alongside Duncan Savage for the past 6 years, Banele has learned a thing or two about making great wine. Every year his Tembela wines sell out on release. We’ve been lucky enough to secure a small parcel – tuck in while you can.
The 2024 Chenin Blanc is a striking rendition of Stellenbosch Chenin, gaining a well-deserved 94 points from Christian Eedes. A real sunshine kind of wine, it’s packed with layers of flavour – think dried pineapple, white florals and peaches. It continues to unfurl and impress as you come back to the glass, with texture and savoury nuances on the finish.
The 95-point 2024 Syrah is ‘a bold, unapologetic expression of the variety,’ notes Christian Eedes, blending grapes from the Polkadraai Hills with 20% Swartland fruit for extra gravitas. If you love the olive tapenade and dark fruit profile of a Swartland Syrah with the juicy red fruit and fine-grained tannins that Stellenbosch Syrah brings, you’ll find this hugely pleasurable.
