Wine Cellar Insiders' October 2024 Bottle size: 750ml

Pio Cesare, Moscato d'Asti 2022 – R 330
‘This is a semi-sweet wine, with flavors of honey, rich ripe fruit, aromatic on the palate, and has a frizzante finish. The nose is fresh. This wine is produced in very limited production.’ – Winemaker

Three Quarters, Lereol Rosé 2024 – R 170
‘Named derived from the first two letters of children’s names, the twins Letlotlo and Rebenebotle and the youngest, Olerato. A third each of Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache. Fermented in tank, matured in neutral barrels for three months. Earthy, spicy notes precede orange and maybe some red apple on the nose while the palate has some roundness and richness that belies an alcohol of just 12% – approximately 50% of the wine went through MLF, the result being a pink wine with a little more vinosity than some.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 90/100

Niepoort, Lagar de Baixo 2020 – R 300
‘The 2020 Baga Lagar do Baixo hails from Bairrada. It underwent carbonic maceration and aged for up to 19 months in large barrels. Displaying a garnet hue, it wafts up from the glass with aromatic notes of black tea, white pepper, red fruits and a leafy character, underscored by oak. This flavorful, modern red is dry, juicy and refreshing, with a textured mouthfeel that contributes to its compact profile. 2024-2036’ – Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, 92/100

Clemens Busch, Riesling Trocken 2022 – R 295
‘The 2022 Riesling trocken is harvested on either side of the Mosel: the village-side sites plus the pre-harvest from the Marienburg side. The rather shy nose has lovely pear and lemon notes. The lithe palate is more forthcoming with fruit, showing tender pear, lemon, and slight white pepper. A dry, very lemon-pronounced finish. (Dry) 2023-2035’ – Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous

AA Badenhorst, Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2024 – R 115
‘People rightly get excited about Adi Badenhorst's single parcel wines, but the man is also a master at producing value-for-money offerings like this Swartland Chenin Blanc from lowyielding vines. Pear, citrus and boiled sweet flavours are lifted by acidity from splashes of Semillon and Grenache Blanc. 2024-27’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2024, 90/100

Mullineux, Kloof Street Swartland Rouge 2022 – R 155
‘"Almost too good," mused Chris Mullineux when he poured this wine and I know what he means. Combining Syrah, 30% Grenache, 17% Tinta Barocca and 10% Cinsault, it massively over-delivers at its price point, with perfumed 30% whole bunches, bramble, red cherry and white pepper flavours and some granitic grip and freshness. Almost impossible to beat at the price. 2024-29’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2024, 93/100