South African Wine

Winemaker Description 

Excelsior Sauvignon Blanc offers an enticing bouquet of passion fruit, lime and ripe fig leads to complex flavors of citrus, herbs and gooseberry on the palate. A bracing acidity and long fruity finish balance out this invigorating, vibrant Sauvignon Blanc.

Winemaker Description 

Aslina Sauvignon Blanc is a remarkable white wine crafted by the talented Ntsiki Biyela, a trailblazing winemaker from Zululand. Imbued with the essence of her Zulu heritage, this unique Sauvignon Blanc reflects Ntsiki's passion for creating captivating wines that leave a lasting impression. The eye-catching label showcases the calabash, a traditional clay vessel, adorned with grapes – a nod to both her cultural roots and innovative spirit. Experience the refreshing complexity of Aslina Sauvignon Blanc, a wine that's perfect for every occasion.

Aslina Sauvignon Blanc enchants the palate with an enticing fusion of bright fruit flavors, invigorating citrus notes, and a touch of lemon zest. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc boasts a complex profile, achieved through extended time on the lees, which imparts a silky, lingering finish. A wine that deftly balances refreshing crispness with surprising depth, Aslina Sauvignon Blanc is a delightful journey for the senses.

The versatility of Aslina Sauvignon Blanc makes it an ideal companion for a wide array of light meals. Its lively fruit and citrus character beautifully complements seafood dishes such as grilled shrimp or seared scallops, as well as fresh, zesty salads and tangy goat cheese. For a true culinary adventure, pair it with a delicate ceviche or a vibrant, herb-infused chicken dish. Best enjoyed chilled, Aslina Sauvignon Blanc will elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Winemaker Description 

This Cabernet Sauvignon displays ripe blackcurrant, and dried herb characters on the nose, which are backed up with some spicy oak notes. The palate is smooth and soft, with beautiful ripe tannins and a long finish.

Winemaker Description 

This crisp, mouthwatering bottling is a blend of Excelsior’s three best Chardonnay blocks. It displays lively flavors of green apple, citrus, and pineapple on a full, creamy palate. Traces of peach, orange blossom and delicate toasty notes combine with a mineral edge to round out this versatile everyday sipper, a consistent crowd pleaser. 

Winemaker Description 

Bright tropical fruit aromas lead to a crisp, fresh palate with mouth-filling flavors of vibrant tropical fruit aromas. Enjoy a mouth-filling palate with flavors of apple, pear, honey and pineapple. A whisper of oak adds a creamy butterscotch nuance and wonderful depth.

Expert Reviews 

Winemaker Description 

A full-bodied wine with hints of minty characters, cigar box and lots of dark fruits. Bold palate with chewy tannins. 

Winemaker Ntsiki Biyela grew up in Mahlabathini, a rural village in Kwazulu Natal, and matriculated from high school in 1996. Having spent a year as a domestic worker, she was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking in 1999. She graduated in 2003 with a BSc in Agriculture (Viticulture and Oenology) at Stellenbosch University and joined boutique winery Stellekaya Wines the following year.

Ntsiki’s ambition to create her own wines grew following a collaboration with Californian winemaker, Helen Kiplinger, as part of Mika Bulmash’s Wine for the World initiative. In addition, she has consulted in France, making wine under Winemakers Collection in Bordeaux.

Finally, she sits on the board of directors for the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, which provides technical training and personal development for young South Africans in the Cape Winelands, preparing them for work in the wine industry. The programme offers them the unique opportunity to emulate her own considerable success.

Ntsiki grew up in Mahlabathini, a rural village in Kwazulu Natal, and matriculated from high school in 1996. Having spent a year as a domestic worker, she was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking in 1999. She graduated in 2003 with a BSc in Agriculture (Viticulture and Oenology) at Stellenbosch University and joined boutique winery Stellekaya Wines the following year.

Ntsiki’s ambition to create her own wines grew following a collaboration with Californian winemaker, Helen Kiplinger, as part of Mika Bulmash’s Wine for the World initiative. In addition, she has consulted in France, making wine under Winemakers Collection in Bordeaux.

Finally, she sits on the board of directors for the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, which provides technical training and personal development for young South Africans in the Cape Winelands, preparing them for work in the wine industry. The programme offers them the unique opportunity to emulate her own considerable success.

.Winemaker Description 

The versatile Essay white blend is made primarily from Chenin Blanc, South Africa’s iconic white varietal. Chenin Blanc is known for its generosity of fruit, crisp acidity and friendliness towards a variety of foods. Chenin Blanc provides aromas of pineapple, litchi and guava, while the addition of Viognier and Roussanne adds hints of pear, melon, and granadilla. The careful blending of varietals adds complexity to this fruity and refreshing, food-friendly wine. 

Memo Summary Notes 

The Essay Chenin Blanc 2024 is widely considered one of the best "daily drinker" whites coming out of South Africa’s Western Cape. While labeled as a Chenin Blanc, it is technically an aromatic blend (often referred to as the "Essay White") that uses small amounts of Rhone varieties to add texture and floral complexity.

Winemaker Description

Chenin Blanc is South Africa’s most widely planted varietal and the Cape’s signature white. A crisp and easydrinking chenin blanc, this bottle is a refreshing essence vibrantly infused with flavors of honeyed pear, golden delicious apple, and luscious tropical fruit. 

South Africa’s signature white wine is brought to life with a full and rich palate that’s followed by a clean, crisp exit complemented by a dash of citrus and minerality. 

Winemaker Description 

Xavier Flouret Fynbos Chenin Blanc is a vibrant white wine from Stellenbosch, South Africa. Crafted from 100% Chenin Blanc, it offers aromas of ripe pineapple, guava, and mango, with a crisp, clean palate featuring subtle acidity and tropical fruit flavors.

Its refreshing finish makes it an excellent pairing for shellfish, spicy dishes, or mild cheeses.

Winemaker Description

Mevushal. From the raw, untamed beauty of the Western Cape, J. Folk wine fuses a modern South African soul with traditional winemaking methods expressed in the features of this wine. The result is a spirited selection resonating the people & places of its colorful origin. 

J. Folk Chardonnay features hints of fresh yellow stone fruit and peach, complemented by a lingering citrus finish. A luxurious texture and good length before being bottled young to retain its fresh character. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Tim Atkin MW 92 Points | Kara-Tara is Stark-Condé winemaker Rudger van Wyk’s own project, entirely focused on Burgundian grapes. This stylish Chardonnay marries grapes from Elgin, the Overberg and Paarl. Poised between citrus and stone fruit flavours, with subtle toast and wet stone undertones. 2022-27′.

Producer Description 

Kara-Tara is a joint-venture between Rüdger van Wyk (2018 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year) and José Conde of Stark-Condé Wines. Translated from the Khoisan, the language from the first people in Southern Africa, it means “deep dark shadows” and refers to the Karatara river that runs through Rüdger’s home town, near Knysna which is located in South Africa, on the Cape South Coast, facing the Indian Ocean.

This wine has the classic notes of lemon and grapefruit you’d expect from Chardonnay, with hints of almond and a fine mineral finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2025

Tim Atkin, MW 90 Points | Secateurs is one of the South African wine industry’s best calling cards, a large volume Chenin Blanc that could only be produced in the Cape. Aged in foudres, it has a stony top note, deftly judged flavors of peach, pear and pink grapefruit, good palate weight and a bright, tangy finish. Hugely drinkable. 

Winemaker Description 

Secateurs – a type of scissors for use on plants. These dry farmed bushvines were planted in the 1960s and 1970s. Fermented and settled in concrete, older casks, and big foudres. Textured, flinty, orange blossom.

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

The Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | A lovely, silky white, with vivid acidity and a subtle streak of chalky sapidity layered with flavors of yellow apple, pear, lemon meringue and chamomile, plus a rich touch of hazelnut. Refreshing hints of quinine and grapefruit pith make a sweep on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 10,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported. 

James Suckling 91 Points | This creamy, rounded white has aromas and flavors of baked apples, nectarines, butter and mango crumble. It’s full-bodied, ripe and silky with tasty yellow-fruit character.

Winemaker Description 

Ken Forrester's Reserve Chenin Blanc 2024 exemplifies the estate’s mastery of this South African terroir. Located in Stellenbosch, Ken Forrester Vineyards, established in 1993, is renowned for its dedication to Chenin Blanc—the South African winemaker often referred to as the "King of Chenin."

Their vineyards, situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, benefit from cooling maritime influences and decomposed granite soils.

The 2024 vintage, marked by a warm, dry summer, yields a wine of exceptional vibrancy.

A bright, pale straw hue, the wine releases a perfume of ripe pineapple, honeydew melon, and subtle floral notes. On the palate, it’s rich and textured, with balanced acidity, layers of tropical fruit, and a lingering, mineral-driven finish.

This versatile Chenin Blanc pairs beautifully with seafood, roasted poultry, or creamy cheeses. Its vibrant acidity and layered flavors complement a wide range of culinary experiences.

Memo Summary Notes

• Excellent with grilled prawns or scallops, roast chicken with herbs, butternut squash risotto, and aged goat cheese.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Salt River Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of five different vineyard sites located around Stellenbosch. The anchor of the wine is the now a 35year-old bush vine vineyard grown on the slopes of Bottelary. The other components are trellised and bush vine vineyards, with various different aspects, planted in granitic soil. These vineyards have combined exceptionally well in creating the saline mineral style of Sauvignonn.

Winemaker Description

David & Nadia Topography Pinotage shows aromas of red fruits with flavors of fragrant cherry, black pepper, and notes of wood. Hints of raspberry and lead to lingering finish. 

Memo Summary Notes

The David & Nadia "Topography" Pinotage 2024 is a definitive example of the "New Wave" South African wine movement. David and Nadia Sadie are leading figures in the Swartland region, celebrated for their minimal-intervention, terroir-focused approach that reimagines Pinotage as an elegant, fresh, and cerebral wine rather than a heavy or rustic one.

Pair with

Meats: Grilled lamb chops with North African spices (Ras el Hanout), pulled pork, or smoked duck.

    Vegetarian: Mushroom risotto or roasted squash with savory herbs.

    Traditional: It is a perfect match for South African Braai (BBQ).

Winemaker Description 

The aromas that rise from the glass are a complex blend of black cherry, herbs, apricot jam and lavender. The dark fruits and hints of herbs delight the palate as the layers of green bell pepper and vanilla emerge. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Aslina "Umsasane" Red Blend 2022 is the flagship wine from Ntsiki Biyela, South Africa’s first Black female winemaker. The name "Umsasane" refers to the umbrella acacia tree and was the nickname of Ntsiki's grandmother, Aslina, symbolizing her role as the family's "anchor and protector."

Technical Profile & Composition

The 2022 vintage is a classic Bordeaux-style blend from the Stellenbosch region, known for producing world-class Cabernet.

• Winemaking: The wine is aged for approximately 16 months in French oak barrels, with about 15–20% being new oak. This adds structure without overpowering the fruit.

• The "Umsasane" is a bold wine that requires hearty flavors to match its structure:

  • Meats: Roast beef, grilled ribeye, or lamb chops with rosemary.

  • Vegetarian: Portobello mushroom steaks or a rich lentil stew.

  • Cheese: Aged Gouda or sharp Cheddar.

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

James Suckling 91 Points | Buttered corn, baked pears, vanilla and white chocolate on the nose, followed by a creamy, full-bodied palate. It’s ripe but shows good freshness. Sweet buttercream notes to close.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling 92 Points | Grapefruit, lemongrass and golden apples on the nose, alongside salted almonds. It’s medium-bodied, cool and mineral, with zesty and reductive undertones. Made in clay vessels.

Winemaker Description 

The Sauvignon Blanc is part of our Gabriëlskloof Range, together with the Rosebud, Chenin Blanc, The Blend and Syrah. This range offers a selection of boutique-style wines that always over-deliver on quality and value.

A racy, flavoursome vintage showing green pineapple, gooseberries and quince on the nose along with a refreshing salinity from ocean spray and kelp. The palate delivers green citrus, lemongrass and litchi, given an edgy textural linearity from flint and oyster shells.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Under screw cap, the De Wetshof Estate 2024 Robertson Limestone Hill Chardonnay offers a simple delivery of citrus, pomelo and wild sage. The wine focuses on brightness and is extremely drinkable, but perhaps it's a little less complex compared to all the other very different Chardonnays in this portfolio. You get a pretty note of latex or natural rubber, which I really like. This wine is unoaked, and that's what sets it apart.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

The Wine Advocate 93 Points | A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, the Savage Wines 2023 Savage White is the only wine in the portfolio that sees a little bit (10%) of new oak. The intent is to offer a textural interpretation of these two grapes. The wine shows natural freshness, white flowers, wood spice and a hint of reduction. The 2023 vintage was cooler, like 2017, making for a classical growing season. This wine has a long saline finish with orchard fruit and pear with a mid-weight approach. The wine is left on the lees for as long as possible to augment that impression of salinity and to create longevity.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

This wine displays a pale straw colour with brilliant green edge. On the nose the wine
opens with crisp green apple and lime blossom. This evolves to incorporate a complex
melange of lemongrass, petrichor and subtle blackcurrant leaf. The palate is bright
and refreshing with a focussed tension that suggests longevity and a characteristic
oyster shell salinity.

Food pairing: Best served cold and drunk as an aperitif or with fresh summer oysters,
fresh grilled yellowtail with salsa verde or salmon roses with kewpie mayo and caviar.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | Opening with a citrus and mineral-driven nose, the 2023 Bon Vallon Chardonnay displays notions of wet concrete and petrichor before aromas of lemon oil sway out of the glass. Medium-bodied, the palate displays fresh notions of citrus blossom with spiced white tea while delivering vibrant acidity with a balanced structure possessing freshness and finesse. Only 48,000 bottles were produced after the wine rested on the lees for between 80 and 120 days.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

This wine is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot, 4%
Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec. The grapes originated from Tokara vineyards on the
slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain in Stellenbosch

Winemaker Description 

Fruit driven, cool cassis and pencil shavings on the nose with aromatic layers of spiciness and black pepper.

Finely crafted to portray layers of cherry, soft prune, blackcurrant and hints of spice. Elegant, velvety mouthfeel and long, lingering finish.

Serve with any venison or game dish with a berry sauce as well as spicy dishes.

Matured in French oak, this wine has a surprisingly fresh mid-palate. Fermentation takes place on the skins for about seven days, after which it gets an extended maceration period of about one week. The wine then gets pressed into a combination of 70% new and 30% second-fill 300 litre French oak barrels. After malolactic fermentation the wine gets racked and is then returned to the barrels for another 18 months before bottling. Can be enjoyed from the year of release, with an ageing potential of up to ten years.

Winemaker Description

This dry, full-bodied red blend offers a balanced fusion of black fruit and a savoury edge of cigar.

Our winemakers have aged each component in oak barrels to produce a soft mouth-feel and juicy, lingering finish that will leave you wanting more.

It is youthful and vibrant, with enough depth to hold its own when savoured with slow-cooked game or oxtail stew, barbecued boerewors, fire-grilled lamb chops with rosemary or lightly spiced pulled pork.

The blend is made up of 53% shiraz, 19% pinotage, 8% cabernet franc, 6% merlot, 5% malbec, 3% petit verdot, 3% mourvèdre, 2% grenache noir, and 1% marselan.

Winemaker Description

Joyful, rich pink color, vivacious cascading bubbles and the full rich flavor of Pinot Noir combined with the elegance of Chardonnay and the uniqueness of Pinotage providing the color. This is the Tradition Rosé - rich in flavour with a long finish.

Winemaker Description 

Illimis is a small project made by young winemaker, Lucinda Heynes. With roots as a viticulturist, she crafts honest, minimal intervention wines showcasing particular talent with Chenin Blanc and Cinsault. Her Transparency range expresses the wines’ origin with clarity, finesse and complexity. This red blend boasts expressive aromas of red fruit and floral perfume. Lively purity and acidity on the palette, chalky tannin followed by a long finish. Serve slightly chilled.

Winemaker Description 

A beautiful structured medium-bodied Shiraz with juicy ripe plum and dark berry flavours. Has fine textures of sweet spice, new leather and a hint of savoury, refreshed with a juicy, plummy finish.

Memo Pairing Suggestions

Pairings: This is a versatile "braai" (BBQ) wine. It pairs excellently with:

• Meats: Grilled lamb chops, ribeye steak, or spicy sausages.

• Casual: Wood-fired spicy pizzas or hearty pasta bolognese.

• Vegetarian: Grilled portobello mushrooms or lentil stews with earthy spices.

Producer Description 

Tropical aromas and flavors include passionfruit and gooseberry. Round/clean mouthfeel with touches of melon, integrated acidity and a lemon/lime finish.

Memo Summary Notes

The Essay Sauvignon Blanc 2025 is a vibrant, crowd-pleasing white from South Africa’s Western Cape. Produced by the same team behind the acclaimed Stark-Condé and MAN Family Wines, "Essay" (a play on "SA" for South Africa) is designed to be an expressive, high-value "assemblage" of the region's best fruit.

• Outstanding with fish tacos, asparagus risotto, or goat cheese salads.

• Serving: Drink it young and very cold.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2015

Decanter 96 Points | This is world class with lovely floral, spicy, marmalade, barley sugar, apricot and crme brle aromatics. The palate brings lively acidity and layers of delightful fruity flavors. Incredibly long.

Winemaker Description 

The drought prompted a shorter harvest, which resulted in faster ripening fruit yielding berries with concentrated flavours and well balanced acidity. With the renovated cellar, we could make use of dedicated tanks intended for perfect maceration and fermentation of the Muscat.

Throughout the season we harvested in batches - from the riper berries that have great acidity to the raisins for sugar concentration.

Each batch is kept separate and treated differently. These batches make up the perfect ratio between sugar, alcohol and acidity which allows the wine to stop fermentation naturally and without intervention.

The wine was aged in a combination of 50 % newFrench oak, Hungarian oak and French Acacia. It was left for a period of 3 years in barrel on the gross lees before racking out and blending. It spent a further 6 months in tank before bottling.

Region Constantia, Western Cape.