Wine Cellar Insiders' December 2024 Bottle size: 750ml

Raventós i Blanc De Nit Extra Brut 2022 – R 415
‘The pale sparkling rosé 2022 De Nit is a blend of Xarel.lo, Macabeo, Parellada and Monastrell that refermented in bottle where it matured with the lees for 18 months. It has a subtle nose and feels very much like a white wine (which it mostly is) with just a copper tint and almost no red fruit aromas and very faint flavors. It has 12.09% alcohol with a pH of 3.01 and 5.9 grams of acidity balanced by 4.5 grams of sugar. It's clean and precise, and the sugar almost unnoticeable, giving it just an approachable touch but never sweet. It's Mediterranean, with notes of esparto grass, a more generous year. 225,000 bottles and other formats produced. It was disgorged in February 2024.’ – Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 92/100

Mullineux Kloof Street Chenin Blanc 2023 – R 145
This vintage has not been rated yet; see 2022 vintage notes:
‘The 2022 Chenin Blanc Kloofstreet comes from two parcels in Jakkalsfontein that Adi Badenhorst farms, plus a little fruit from the Mullineux's Roundstone estate. Raised in stainless steel, it offers yellow fruit and a faint touch of frangipane on the nose, well-defined and open. The palate is well-balanced and slightly viscous in texture, with orange pith and quince and a slightly tangy finish. 2023-2027’ – Neal Martin, Vinous

Laventura La Nave Blanco 2022 – R 230
‘The pale white 2022 La Nave Blanco, 90% Viura and 10% Garnacha Blanca, was produced in a fresh, light and clean and modern style, with moderate alcohol (12%) and ripeness, very good freshness and acidity and was bottled after six months in concrete with lees. It's tasty and easy to drink, very pleasant. 3,082 bottles were filled in June 2023.’ – Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 91/100

Olifantsberg Grenache Rosé 2023 – R 135
‘Strawberry, orange and spice on the nose while the palate has a dense core of fruit, bright acidity and a dry finish. Nicely weighted – alcohol is 13.5%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 90/100

Testalonga Baby Bandito Follow Your Dreams 2024 – R 195
‘100% whole-bunch fermented. Enticing aromatics of pomegranate, cherry, raspberry, fynbos and white pepper. Light bodied yet intensely flavoured with racy acidity and fine tannins. Layered and long. Alc: 12.5%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100

Niepoort Drink Me Tinto 2021 – R 170
This vintage has not been rated yet; see 2019 vintage 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