Alheit Cartology 2014

Cartology is intended to be a picture of the Cape, seen through the lens of her mature vineyards, in a given vintage. Therefore, the cuveé is composed of rare and extraordinary parcels of mature dryland bushvines. Naturally, the varieties used are also heritage varieties, namely Chenin blanc and Semillon which have been planted in the Cape for centuries.

Alheit Cartology 2015

Cartology is intended to be a picture of the Cape, seen through the lens of her mature vineyards, in a given vintage. Therefore, the cuveé is composed of rare and extraordinary parcels of mature dryland bushvines. Naturally, the varieties used are also heritage varieties, namely Chenin blanc and Semillon which have been planted in the Cape for centuries.

Amares Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

A total of eight barrels of hand-made wine, originating from the 2 Ha of environmentally friendly vineyards surrounding the Amares winery. The nose hints at dark-skinned berries, a promise of mint and other herbal aromas. The wine has a broad palate with an attractive mouth feel from ripe grapes backed by mature tannins and a dry cedar finish.

Amares Syrah 2008

A total of eight barrels of hand-made wine, open fermented in stainless-steel bins, originating from select vineyards in the Banhoek and Rustenberg valleys. Turkish Delight, clove and juniper on the nose followed by fresh red stone fruits with strong white pepper and light spice to finish. The careful use of French oak creates gamey, smoked meat hints. A bold but elegant slow-food wine.

Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2014

Only fruit selected from their oldest Chenin Blanc vineyard, planted in 1978, is used for this wine. Barrel fermentation takes place in 400L French oak using only natural yeasts. Careful selection and use of oak results in perfect balance between wood aroma and fruit flavour, not wanting too much wood to overpower the Chenin grape character. No malolactic fermentation takes place in order to keep the freshness of the wine's acidity.The wine is kept on its gross lees for 10 months with regular batonage, giving the wine a richer and fuller palate. A great food wine that promises ageing ability.

Beaumont Raoul's Old Basket Press Red 2012

This is an eccentric and warm-hearted red blend. A brilliant winter warmer and can be served slightly chilled during the summer months. Made from old and low yielding vineyards, the fruit displays excellent character and complexity. A Tinta Barocca based blend, softened with Merlot and spiced up with a touch of Cabernet Franc, at the end of a hard day, it doesn't get much better than this!

Beeslaar Pinotage 2014

Abrie Beeslaar has been the winemaker at the world famous Kanonkop estate since 2002 and he is now making a small amount of his own, very special, single vineyard Pinotage. With a succession of fabulous Kanonkop wines behind him and the accolade of 2008 International Winemaker of the Year, Abrie's pedigree is first class and for him to put his own name on this wine shows how important this is to him.

Constantia Semillon 2011

100% barrel fermented Semillon with 20% new oak gives intense, upfront aromas with flavours of nectarines and citrus fruits supported by subtle wood spice flavours. The wine shows exceptional balance of fruit and oak with a long, lingering finish. Excellent with a wide variety of foods, try this with risotto, shellfish or mild curries.

David Aristargos 2014

The Sadies' outstanding white blend mixes Chenin Blanc with Roussanne, Clairette Blanche and Viognier from a dozen different vineyards, using more Roussanne than in 2013. Old oak, full malolactic and layer upon layer of complex flavours distinguish the wine, with baking spices, apple pie, stone fruit, honey and a core of chiselled acidity.

David and Nadia Aristargos 2015

Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette Blanche and Sémillon come together, from twelve different vineyards up to 50 years old, to form one of the Swartland's finest white blends.

Now in its sixth vintage, David Sadie's brilliant, Chenin-based white blend also contains Roussanne, Clairette Blanche, Viognier and Semillon. Peach, pear and apple flavours combine with notes of baking spices, subtle oak and pithy, focused acidity and a finish that lingers for over a minute. Brilliant winemaking. Drink: 2016-22
Tim Atikins - 95 pts

David Chenin Blanc 2014

David Sadie employs fruit from six different sources, including his new base at Paardebosch, to make this Chenin. Typically focused and expressive, it's a combination of leesy breadth and tangy minerality, with stony acidity and very subtle oak. Essence of Swartland Chenin.

David and Nadia Chenin Blanc 2015

By the standards of David Sadie's production, this is a big blend, sourced from six different vineyards between 30 and 50 years old. Honeyed, rich and complex, showing undertones of orange peel, struck match and creamy lees.

David Elpidios 2012

A very well crafted blend of Syrah, Carignan and Grenache reflects the Swartland's affinity with Rhone varieties. Where David's Grenache is immediately appealing, this blend has a brooding meaty complexity to it that will need more time to reveal its locked in secrets. Supremely integrated tannins frame the luscious blackcurrant and mulberry fruit, fynbos and subtle vanilla. This is a wine to watch.

Tim Atkin 91pts

David Elpidios 2013

Elpidios is a blend of Syrah with Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache and Pinotage (the fourth of these for the first time), all grapes which do well in the heat of the Swartland. Whole bunch spice, early picking, fine tannins and a long, refined finish: this is one of the most elegant Mediterranean Cape reds of all, a wine which almost defies its origins. Drink: 2015-21

Tim Atkin 93pts

David and Nadia Elpidios 2014

Elpidios is a blend of Syrah with Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache and Pinotage, all grapes which do well in the heat of the Swartland. This is one of the most elegant Mediterranean Cape reds of all.

Elpidios is the red wine equivalent of Aristargos in some respects. Built around Syrah, it also contains Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache Noir and Pinotage. Pale, delicate and wonderfully complex, it has a little more grip than you think at first, but still surfs a wave of minerally red fruits. Drink: 2016-21

Tim Atkin 93pts

David Grenache 2013

Two vineyards contribute grapes to this delicious Grenache. Granite soils from the Paardeberg and clay soils from Malmesbury contribute structure and elegance and David has crafted a wonderful wine. The nose is a beautifully subtle cocktail of strawberry and raspberry while the palate is remarkable for its sheer elegance and pure linear fruit. Raspberry, strawberry, plums, with savoury tannins adding support along with the juicy acidity. 10% Shiraz adds further complexity with red cherry and pomegranate like acidity. Refreshingly low alcohol and hugely drinkable.

Tim Atkin 93pts

David Grenache 2014

Wines like this make you wonder, yet again, why there isn't more Grenache planted in the Cape. Using fruit from three different vineyards and 30% whole bunches, it's floral and perfumed with understated red berry flavours, elegant tannins and a long, pure finish. Very delicate. Drink: 2015-20

Tim Atkin 93pts

David and Nadia Grenache 2015

Grapes from three different Swartland Grenache vineyards are used (one an organically farmed vineyard in deep iron rich soils, while the other two vineyards grow in granitic mountain soils in the Paardeberg).

Does anyone make a better Grenache in South Africa than David Sadie? Using grapes from three Swartland sites and fermented with 40% whole bunches, it's sappy, pale, complex and understated, with filigree tannins, summer berry fruit and remarkable precision. Drink: 2016-21

Tim Atkin 94pts

Keermont Fleurfontein 2015

The Keermont Fleurfontein ('flower fountain') derives its name from a beautiful spring on the farm near the Sauvignon Blanc vineyard from which the grapes are sourced. Produced by pinching the stems of the grape bunches while they ripen on the vine allowing them to dry naturally. The raisons are harvested a few weeks later and the syrupy juice is squeezed from them.

One of very few world-class sweet wines produced entirely from Sauvignon Blanc, this is made using the cordon cut method and left on the vines for another four weeks to accumulate sugar. Fermented in Hungarian oak, it's a waxy, spicy, hay and grapefruit-like sticky with 216 grams of sugar and a volatile edge. Drink: 2016-20

Tim Atkin 94pts

Keermont 2012

The Keermont is the Estate's flagship red blend. The core of the wine is based on the original older blocks of Homestead Cabernet Sauvignon and Steepside Merlot to which they have added barrels from our newer sites.

Venetian red in colour, this wine exudes complex aromas of ripe cherry, wild berries, and dusty 'fynbos'. The palate has an array of ripe berries, cherry sherbet, crushed herbs and spices. Elegant but firm tannin affords the wine a long dry succulent finish. Drink 2015-2030.

Alex Starey, winemaker

Keermont Syrah 2013

Keermont Syrah 2013 is a blend of three different Syrah vineyard sites growing on Keermont Vineyards: Steepside generally produces powerful full bodied wines with rich, spicy flavours. Topside is unirrigated and is usually a more aromatic wine with good structure and natural acid. Sweetwater is the coolest of the three sites and ripens the latest. Sweetwater Syrah is normally lighter and elegant in style with a herbal aroma.

Blending barrels from Keermont's two single vineyard wines with a third block called Steep Water, this is a wonderfully wild, gutsy Syrah, with 13% Mourvèdre adding more savoury grip. Textured and granitic, it's spicy and perfumed with a pot pourri of Mediterranean herbs. Drink: 2016-23

Tim Atkin 93pts

Kershaw Chardonnay 2012

In 2011, owner Richard Kershaw MW, established Richard Kershaw Wines to create clonally selected, site-specific, cool climate wine paradigms from apposite noble grapes i.e. ones with the ability to produce world-class examples. Benefitting from Elgin's higher altitude, ocean proximity, cloud cover, and a large diurnal range, this Chardonnay is restrained, mineral style focussed on elegance with a white fruit character, some oatmeal and complexity gained from percipient wood application.

Kershaw Syrah 2012

Clonally defined, site-specific Syrah made from grapes sourced in Elgin. Subtle, precise style built on fine tannins that bring out harmony, freshness and flavours of black fruit, iodine, medicinal and black pepper.

Tamboerskloof Viognier 2012

A new wine for Vincisive and our first Viognier. Perfect for the warmer weather this white gold-coloured Viognier offers frangipani, jasmine and citrus blossom flavours on the nose, which are well supported by apple, peach and citrus on the palate.

Try this great value wine on a sunny day, chilled to 12-14°C, with duck salad, mild curries or bobotie.

Tamboerskloof Viognier 2015

Some older oak influence helps give this Viognier more interest & complexity. More restrained in expression than some gushing examples, but variety-true peach-pip fully present. Silky & lingering.

Try this great value wine on a sunny day, chilled to 12-14°C, with duck salad, mild curries or bobotie.

Tamboerskloof John Spicer 2011

The grapes are hand picked from a select portion of a single vineyard block, hand sorted three times before going into stainless steel fermenters where a combination of state of the art winery technology and old-style winemaking techniques take care of designing this unique, hand crafted wine.

Tamboerskloof Syrah 2013

Immediately appealing and gently savoury. Gorgeous black fruits are supported by velvet tannins and peppery spice. This is refined Syrah, a mini Cote Rotie, beautifully composed and should have a long life ahead of it.

Lammershoek Cellarfoot Harslevelu 2013

This is a brand new and exciting wine to our Hong Kong portfolio. Made by one of the Swartland's rising stars, Craig Hawkins. Made from a 0.7ha block of 32 year old vines planted on a north-west facing slope which has a lot of the exposed Lammershoek granite which is abundant in the Paardeberg. The bush vines are farmed dry-land and organically.

Mullineux Syrah Schist 2013

The Mullineux family have been making wine with this fruit since 2004 - it used to go into one of the reds at Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards - and you can see why they rate it so highly. Floral, structured and pepper spicy, with a thrilling core of minerality, this Syrah is effortlessly complex and set for a long life in bottle. Beautifully focused. Drink: 2015-25

Tim Atkin 96pts

Leeu Passant Dry Red Blend 2015

Since 2013, Andrea and Chris have been working on a new wine project called Leeu Passant - a name derived from heraldry, where a "Lion Passant" is a walking lion.

For many years, viticulturist, Rosa Kruger, has been enthusing about special parcels of vines outside the Swartland; however, they couldn't use these as Mullineux wines are exclusively from Swartland vineyards. Leeu Passant is the culmination of a vision to harness these exciting vineyards to create wines under a new label in a different wine region, with the same attention to detail, passion, and uncompromisingly high standards that their Swartland wines are made with.

Mullineux White Blend 2011

Yet another string to the bow of Chris and Andrea Mullineux, we offer a remarkable blend of 3 grapes. 65% Chenin Blanc gives the supporting backbone of acidity to this wine while contributing apple and tropical notes. Clairette and Viognier make up the rest of this blend and give further rich tropical flavours and citrus layers. Decanter, 95 points - Textural, fresh, bright fruit. Bone dry with pure apple concentration.

Mullineux White Blend 2014

Chenin Blanc based white blends from the Swartland are fast becoming an outstanding category, due in no small part to the excellence of winemakers such as the Mullineux family and their consistently outperforming wines. The Chenin Blanc content has been increased slightly again this year to 80% with Clairette offering 13% to the blend and the balance from Viognier, which gives it a gorgeous floral lift.

Mullineux Schist Chenin Blanc 2014

Just 1300 bottles of this wine are made with grapes from the stony Shale and Schist based soils of Riebeek Kasteel mountain. These are the parcels of Chenin that give the best expression of the Kasteelberg's terroir - density and structure but with a decent balance of acidity. Our allocation is tiny so grab some now and hide them away for 3-5 years.

Mullineux Quartz Chenin Blanc 2014

Just 1300 bottles of this wine are made with grapes from one parcel of 33 year old Chenin blanc planted in a quartz kloof of Riebeek Kasteel Mountain. This parcel of Chenin gives the best expression of the quartz terroir on the Kasteelberg - fresh minerality. Our allocation is tiny so grab some now and hide them away for 3-5 years.

Mullineux Granite Chenin Blanc 2014

Taken from a 36-year-old parcel on the Paardeberg (right next to Eben Sadie's cellar), this is flinty, smoky and focused, with a hint of struck match, low alcohol and plenty of bright, tangy acidity. Drink: 2015-20

Tim Atkin 93pts

Mullineux Kloof Street Chenin Blanc 2016

The Kloof St Chenin Blanc is all about freshness, balance and great drinkability. Sourced from one parcel of 30-year-old Chenin Blanc on stony shale and schist-based soils of Riebeek Kasteel Mountain, and two parcels of 40-year-old dry-land, bushvine Chenin grown in the decomposed granite of the Paardeberg mountain.

Pale straw in colour, with a nose of sun ripened pears and wet granite. There's a vibrant acidity balanced by a soft, round texture and some citrus character lading to a fresh, mineral finish.

Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2015

Since 2013, Andrea and Chris have been working on a new wine project called Leeu Passant - a name derived from heraldry, where a "Lion Passant" is a walking lion.

These multi-regional fine wines, incorporating several very special and old (up to 117 years old!) vineyards, celebrate the rich history of South African wine. Using the Cape's wine heritage dating back to the 17th Century as inspiration, they decided to deconstruct the venerable Cape wines of the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's, retain their best component parts, and then reconstruct them in a modern, minimalist way while respecting tradition.

Muratie George Paul Canitz Pinot Noir 2015

George Paul Canitz (who owned Muratie from 1927 to 1958) had two great passions in life: painting and Pinot Noir. In the mornings he'd mix colours on his palettes, in the afternoons sample grapes. Painting into his 70s he earned fame both locally and internationally - he could hardly keep up as art lovers streamed to Muratie to buy his paintings.

But as the first ever Pinot Noir grower in the country, what would eventually earn him the greatest renown was his palate for Pinot. With a delicate, long finish, hint of strawberries, fresh cherries and French Oak, the George Paul Canitz Pinot Noir salutes the artist and his palate for Pinot.

Newton Johnson Sauvignon Blanc 2016

A journey into the combined expression of sandstone and clay soils. Sandstone provides the mineral and aromatic citrus fruit characters; while clay adds texture, depth, and riper tropical flavours in the mouth. 5% Semillon fermented in oak provides an extra creamy sensation.

Newton Johnson Resonance 2016

Farmed organically and predominantly sourced from a single vineyard and grown in quartz and sandstone soil. With an importance placed on texture, this is a wine that is pure, finely textured Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon blend, softly oaked and with the accessibility that Sauvignon delivers.

Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2011

From the finely structured decomposed granite and clay soils of the Domaine, this is the fourth vintage of Chardonnay from the Newton Johnson property in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Deceptively elegant as this wine opens up to produce complex characters with depth, and long flavours in the finish. The steely acidity matches the lime fruit with nutty rich flavours in the background.

Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2012

From the finely structured decomposed granite and clay soils of the Domaine, this is the fifth vintage of Chardonnay from the Newton Johnson property in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Deceptively elegant, this wine opens up to produce complex characters with depth and gently ripe citrus fruit. This wine is the most refined Chardonnay from the Newton Johnson stable and the distinct and delicate spiciness necessitates an exacting style of oaking to partner it.

Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2015

The 2015 Family Vineyards Chardonnay comes from iron-rich clayey soils populated by 12 to 15-year-old vines, aged in barriques with 25% new oak. It has a more extroverted bouquet compared to the Southend Chardonnay, with hints of melted butter infusing the citrus fruit, also with peach skin and sea spray aromas. The palate is very well balanced with a smooth entry. There are veins of tropical fruit such as guava and melon, a fine line of acidity and a very seductive and composed finish. This is a very worthy follow-up to the excellent 2014 and comes highly recommended.

The Wine Advocate - 92 pts

Newton Johnson Walker Bay Pinot Noir 2015

Slightly in the shadow of the Family Pinot Noir, this is a Newton Johnson Estate wine made from younger vines and vineyards on the lower slopes that have been nurtured for the last decade or so. These younger vines could in time provide the best quality of all, however at this stage they are more preoccupied with a flirtatious, fruit assertive character.

Crisp red fruit and more pronounced tertiary character. Sour cherry aromas with a brilliant floral display, deepened by earthy wafts of wet leaves and forest floor. Tight, youthful tannin in the mouth with red fruit drop sweetness in the middle palate. Linear finish with liquorice in the after-taste.

Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015

The 2015 Family Vineyards Pinot Noir is a blend of the estate's three vineyards (Mrs. M, Block 6/Seadragon and the largest part made by Windansea). It is aged in barrel for 11 months, then racked into stainless steel or three to four months. It has an expressive bouquet, open and replete with lovely red cherry, cranberry and strawberry fruit that is neatly integrated with the oak. The palate is well balanced with a subtle tobacco-edge on the entry. This is structured and precise, quite Morey-St-Denis in style with wonderful salinity and sappiness on the finish. This is another excellent wine from Newton Johnson. If you could not afford 2015 Burgundy, come here.

The Wine Advocate - 92 points

Seven Springs Pinot Noir 2013

As the vineyards show more maturity so does the wine. Garnet in colour, the wine offers opulent aromas of raspberries and sour cherries. The oak, as always, is subtle and understated, supporting the fruit driven profile of this wine. The 2013 has a leaner mouth feel than previous vintages, but the palate is still smooth and medium bodied, with refined and pure fruit characters.

Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2014

With rugby legend Jan Coetzee as Cellar Master and former Kanonkop protégé Nicky Claasens heading up the winemaking, there have been gradual changes that are paying dividends with some exciting wines.

This Pinot Noir has delicate aromas of strawberries and apricots with underlying cinnamon. Dried peach and minerality on the mid-palate with a hint of aniseed on the finish. Ready now or drink over the next 7 years.

Vriesenhof Kallista 2009

KALLISTA – "To Kalon Kai Agathon", derived from Plato's statement that in life one should look for "the good and the beautiful/noble", is the Greek name for the flagship Bordeaux blend comprising 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 27% Cabernet Franc.

Lean minerality, lingering pencil lead with beautiful clean fruit. A hint of smoky tobacco and leather with appearing with with time. Wonderfully complex and enticing, this vintage is just opening up but will happily repay another 10 years.

Just a few 150cl Magnums available