Let's DrinkOur Wine List
My wise wine friend Ingrid Motteux very kindly compiled this little gem of a list.
Ingrid brings out all her little treasures – some well known and others awaiting the glory of you discovering them. In my view her acumen is of the most distinguished order in a world often mired in quaff.
My sentiment is borne out in her impeccable credentials as well as the esteem in which her compatriots hold her, indicative thereof is her outstanding contribution in judging for the Platter Wine Guide and London International Wine Challenge:
www.winewise.co.za
Wine-by-theGlass
We’ve invested in ‘Le Verre de Vin’ wine preservation technology in order to allow us to serve you a quarter of a better glass (187ml) at a quarter of the bottle price. Bubbly poured and priced at a fifth of a bottle.
A convenient and versatile, no fuss way to broaden and explore pairing options without the burden of the bottle. Per glass servings are denoted by the preceeding price point on the applicable listing.
A lot of effort has gone into our list. You’ll notice the absence of the ‘usual suspects’, because this is an independent list uncaptured by large wine conglomerates who routinely seek large and compromising listing segments. All the farms represented here are driven by winemakers who are passionate and uncompromising about their craft (they are typified by having soil under their fingernails!) Most of whom have also resisted the supermarket chains who exert enormous pressure on their bottom lines which often lends to compromised production inputs.
We offer them with unwavering pride.
Bubbly
Genevieve Rosé Brut Cap Classique NV
151 / 759Melissa Genevieve Nelsen’s bubblies are described as serious yet playful. Interestingly, her Cap Classique pink is made not from traditional Pinot but instead from Syrah sourced from the cool Bot River region. Pomegranate and spice make for a particularly more-ish mouthful.Weltevrede Philip Jonker ‘Enthios’ Brut M.C.C.
103 / 518Almost equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from ‘Weltevrede’ (well satisfied) farm in the Robertson Valley. Grapes are picked riper to capture richness and attractive fruitiness on popping the cork right now.‘Skaamgesiggie’ Cap Classique Rosé
139 / 695Delightfully delicate, blushing bubbly named for the endangered, timid-looking ‘bashful’ Sugarbush protea, endemic to the Strandveld biosphere in cool Elim. Experience the textures of this pink wine paired with our deep-sea grilled oysters.M.A.N Family Sparkling Chenin Blanc
362Refreshingly dry bubbly made from South Africa’s signature white grape offers vibrant green apple aromas and tropical flavours. Perfect with breakfast, salads, or as an aperitif.Hout Bay Vineyards ‘Klassiek’ Cap Classique
138 / 690Catherine’s vineyards can be seen along the mountainside coming into ‘Hout Bay’, where she grows traditional Champagne varieties Pinots Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay. Taste it and see why this valley is well-known for its fine bubbles.High Constantia ‘Clos André’ Cap Classique
1597We were fortunate indeed to be able to secure a few bottles of David van Niekerk’s sought-after, elegant & stylish Clos André from his tiny artisanal cellar in a corner of the prime vineyards of the sea breeze’ d Constantia slopes.
Sauvignon Blanc
Silvermist Sauvignon Blanc (organic)
138 / 555Local valley winery Silvermist’s vineyards are certified organic, with ducks, roosters and wild animals from the adjacent Table Mountain National Park roaming freely. Smartly crafted, fresh and minerally, effortlessly paired with our loin of Kingklip.Klein Constantia Estate ‘Metis’ Sauvignon Blanc
759Klein Constantia is known for its classic expression of this variety, where vines enjoy fresh breezes from the oceans on either side of the narrow Cape peninsula. Top-drawer Metis is made in collaboration with their French consultant, Pascal JolivetYS by Yardstick Constantia Sauvignon Blanc
450Ex-Klein Constantia cellarmaster Adam Mason still has access to prime sauvignon from the valley renowned for its fine examples. This one impresses easily, with classic sauvignon flavours that almost leap out of the glass. The maritime breezes the vineyards enjoy from both sides of the narrow Cape peninsula are depicted on the YS label by artist wife Louise.Iona Elgin Highlands Sauvignon Blanc
123 / 495Iona’s stylish, vibrant rendition of this variety is a firm favourite among sauvignon drinkers: refreshing and complex with capsicum and passionfruit tightly wound around trademark flinty Elgin minerality. The persistent lemon-pith finish is broadened by a small portion of barrel-fermented semillon.Strandveld ‘Pofadderbos’ Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
469The ‘Strandveld’ winery is named after endangered Cape coastal vegetation which envelops it. The puff adder bush single vineyard Sauvignon is the perfect expression of the stony soils of the Agulhas plains, exhibiting racy acidity and flinty freshness.Constantia Royale Sauvignon Blanc
78 / 319Small-production Sauvignon blended from fruit from both east and west-facing slopes of prime (but very different) viticultural soils, with a semillon component to add breadth to its zippy herbaceous flavours. The adage ‘sauvignon vines should see the ocean’ holds here, with spectacular vineyard views over False Bay.Ghost Corner ‘Wild Fermen’ Sauvignon Blanc
868From windswept Cape Agulhas, at the southernmost tip of Africa, comes Cederberg’s winemaker’s rendition of cool-grown Sauvignon. Persistent grapefruit and lime flavours tightly bound by steely minerality, able to cut through any creamy sauce.
Chenin Blanc
Botanica ‘Mary Delaney’ Chenin Blanc
1099Ginny Povall left New York corporate life to settle here. She sources her fruit for this sublime, finely crafted Chenin from a remote mountainous area, to make a deftly oaked, clean and crisp S.A. icon. Creamy texture lends itself to a variety of rich dishesBlackwater Wines ‘The Underdog’ Chenin Blanc
294Francois Haasbroek searches for tiny pockets of outstanding vineyards, whose grapes disappear into commercial batches. His light but characterful wine style is rarely paralleled. Unoaked with ripe quince and pear, well controlled by firm acidityM.A.N Family Wines ‘Free-Run Steen’ Chenin Blanc
69 / 279Winsome wine made from low-yielding dry land bushvines in the fashionable Paardeberg region. Enjoy with vegetable or prawn curry dishes, fish, salads, citrus flavoured foods or our craft cheese selectionBeaumont Chenin Blanc
98 / 395The Beaumont family bought the farm ‘Companjesdrift’, originally established by the Dutch East India Company in Bot River in the early 1970s. They are specialist artisanal makers of this noble Loire variety. Winemaker (and viticulturist) Sebastian claims it’s ‘Dry, fresh and delicious’Tierhoek Chenin Blanc
457Cape Leopards still roam this high-altitude 50 year old ‘Piekenierskloof’ vineyard, which bears outstanding organically-farmed Chenin. While aiming for freshness and purity of fruit, vinification also includes maturation in barrel to add fullness and complexity. Delicious with our Hout bay ‘Bouillabaise’ inspired seafood stew.Thistle & Weed ‘Duwweltjie’ Chenin Blanc
845The richest of the trio of chenins (all of which are named for weeds – this one means little devil). Duwweltjie comes from old vines on gravel and clay soils near Paarl. The wonderfully full and textured mouthfeel with its ripe stone fruit flavours manages to refresh, with an energetic line of acidity driving the finish.
Chardonnay
Crystallum ‘The Agnes’ Chardonnay
937Named after winemaker Peter-Allan Finlayson’s great-grandmother, who was shipped off to South Africa at the tender age of 14. The multi-vineyard blend is made to reflect the resilience and strength of Agnes, with each vineyard forming a building block to form this larger than life wine. White peach, fresh lime and lemon preserve lead into a beautifully textured, fresh and creamy palate.Julien Schaal Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay
138 / 552French winemaker, Julien makes his refined pair of wines at Paul Cluver. A soil-derived gravelly minerality and racy acidity adds to the classic length and complexity of this stylish, world-class ChardonnayConstantia ‘Uitsig’ Unwooded Chardonnay
73 / 295Delicate birds now adorn the newly fashioned labels since this farm changed hands. A fresh, zippy wine with pronounced pear and orange zest aromas, unhindered by oak. Well-rounded stone fruit flavours and hints of almond precede a soft finishThamnus Chardonnay
1140New to the super-classy Cape Chardonnay scene, this instant success is from vineyards on the Overberg’s rugged Shaw’s Mountain, wrought into a classic, sleek vibrant fleshy but chiselled white by veteran winemaker PJ Geyer, with judicious oaking (a third new barrels) adding style and polish.Journeys End ‘Haystack’ Chardonnay
295Owner Rollo Gabb’s fresh, vibrant Chardonnay takes its name from the age-old practice of planting wheat between rows of vines to discourage weeds. Lees stirring and a portion of barrel-fermented wine adds mouthfeel and a lightly buttery texture to the abundant rich tropical fruit flavours.Callender Peak Chardonnay
725Burgundian Chardonnay ‘stokkies’ smuggled in the early 80s by rebel winemakers were planted (ungrafted) by farmer Donald MacDonald, on the recommendation of NC Krone, who was convinced that this high-altitude (950m) rocky Ceres plateau soil would be perfect for Chablis-styled wines. The result: A classy wine of incredible purity, freshness and focus.
White Blends and Other Varieties
Joostenberg Estate ‘Fairhead’ White Blend
595Captivating & richly complex small-batch organic blend of Chenin, Roussanne, Viognier with a dash of Albariño from Tyrrel Myburgh. Named after this flower farm’s matriarch, Gillian (nèe Fairhead). Fermented in terracotta amphorae and seasoned oak, the wine is mature sur lie for 10 months, the resulting texture and breadth makes it an excellent match for the fish stews and prawn Curries.Thorne & Daughters ‘Rocking Horse’ Cape White
825John Seccombe’s cornerstone wine takes its name from a wooden rocking horse they made for their daughters out of oak barrel staves. Multi-regional blend of Chenin, Roussanne, Semillon Blanc & Gris, with a dollop of Chardonnay. It offers broad, rich layered fruit, resolving into a keen line of acidity and pithy tanninMullineux & Leeu Family Old Vines White
1158“Superb debut” (claimed Robert Parker) from the winery, where Chris and Andrea Mullineux blend low-yielding Chenin with equal portions of Rhône varieties Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Viognier. Fermentation in older barrels adds breadth and texture to match any robust dishZevenwacht ‘Tin Mine’ White Blend
105 / 422High-altitude decomposed granite soils give Hagen Viljoen, Zevenwacht’s winemaker some stunning fruit to work with the create this Chenin-led blend, named for the pre-WW1 tin mines on the property. French oak maturation adds some serious texture to the exotic, spicy tropical flavours and mineral finish.Torero & Oxen Of The Sun Verdelho
875A tiny, low-yielding Atlantic-cooled Groenekloof vineyard, planted to enigmatic Madeira variety Verdelho, imparts freshness and power to the single-barrel made here. Intense, linear and mineral, it is a very distinctive, textured wine made to be enjoyed with food.Sutherland Riesling
93 / 375This fine aromatic variety is harvested from Thelema’s Elgin (Sutherland) vineyards and rendered in a dry but flavourful style. Floral spicy aromas and lime flavours are carried along by firm natural acidity.
Rosé | Blanc de Noir
De Morgenzon Garden Vineyards Rosé
360Thoroughly charming dry Rosé, sufficiently light for lunch, and serious for dinner. A blend of southern French varieties which perfectly suit the Mediterranean-Cape climate and lifestyleWaterkloof Circumstance Cape Coral Mourvèdre Rosé
295Bandol grape Mourvèdre is grown biodynamically on the cool windy slopes of the Schaapenberg, facing False Bay. Nadia Barnard turns it into a similarly styled pale, savoury and deliciously textured orangey-pink wine.Stony Brook ‘Per Ara’ Rosé
510Franschhoek family vignerons ‘bleed’ their Spanish tempranillo grapes before making flagship red Ovidius, and use this lightly pink free-run juice to make a refined and refreshing rosé. Catalan phrase ‘per ara’ – for now – is apt for the only one of their wines ready to drink in the year of harvest.Lievland ‘Liefkoos’ Rosé
121 / 485This lively, smart, dry Rosé lives up to its strikingly elegant packaging. Syrah and Mourvèdre grown in prime ‘Simonsberg’ soils are ‘bled’ to make this Provençal-styled pink, with texture and richness acquired by extended lees contactTamboerskloof ‘Katherien’ Syrah Rosé
325‘Tamboerskloof’ means ‘Valley of the Drums’. The first Dutch look-out post was established above Cape Town in ‘Tamboerskloof’, where the De Villiers family lived before purchasing their wine farm. Pale salmon-pink, the ‘Katharien’ is bled from Syrah to offer a spicy, fresh mouth-filling lunchtime wine.Lomond Merlot Rosé
89/359From the windblown southern tip of Africa in the Agulhas appellation, a crisp & flavourful award-winning pink wine, unusually bled from Merlot grapes. Playful candy floss notes.
Pinot Noir
Catherine Marshall ‘Sandstone Soils’ Pinot Noir
629Cathy’s Barefoot Wines began as a three-barrel Syrah foot-stomp in ‘Muizenberg’ 25 years ago. Now her much admired eponymous winery has pinot as its focus: this, the lightest of her trio of pinots reflecting the character of the Table Mountain sandstone and silica quartz soils in which her vines grow. Quentin’s crispy roast duck is a consummate matchCopper Pot Pinot Noir
120 / 480Copper Pot was originally made for Thorne & Daughters winemaker John Seccombe’s in-laws’ hotel in tiny quantities, he makes a bit more now, in a light, playfully juicy but dry style, with a hint of oak and supple tannins. Perfect lightly chilled on its own by the glass.Kruger ‘Sans Chêne’ Pinot Noir
380The unoaked sibling to Johan and Sophie Kruger’s more serious bottling of this ‘heartbreak grape’, is attractively savoury and beautifully balanced, with red cherry flavours and a silky texture. Enjoy with our signature Crispy Duck.Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir
1893This esteemed producer manages to replicate the restrained and complex Burgundian expression of this variety. Low-vigour soils, tiny yields and cool maritime climate give rise to a tight, classic wine with no overt fruitinessKara Tara Pinot Noir
147 / 591Talented Diner’s Club Young Winemaker of the Year Rudger van Wyk was born and raised in a small southern Cape town on the banks of the Kara Tara River. He makes his wines at the Stark Condé winery, where he has his day job. Crafted in a light playfully juicy, dry style it is ideal with duck, but has sufficient structure to accompany lighter red meat dishes.
Pinotage
Winery of Good Hope ‘Bushvine’ Pinotage
83 / 332South Africa’s very own grape (Pinot Noir-Cinsault cross: the former offering vivid cherry flavours, and the latter lovely spiciness) grows untrellised in the Helderberg and Swartland to produce a juicy but structured red, with an earthy savourinessAngus Paul ‘Transient Lands’ Pinotage
775Our winemaker discovery this year is young Angus, whose vision for this wine is to ‘source, blend and bottle special parcels of Pinotage across the Cape to become an expression of each vintage through the lens of the grape’. Taut, crunchy acidity restrains the generous blackberry and dark cherry flavours, coated by gentle tannins. Feisty enough to stand up to Sol’s hot curry!Snow Mountain Reserve Pinotage
91 / 365Artisan winemaker James McKenzie has ventured further from the snowy peaks near Wellington (where these grapes are from) to find distinct terroirs for his many varied small-production wines. Harvested from high-altitude pinotage bush vines to make a brightly fruited, juicy, medium-weight and refreshing red with a lightly tannic tug from 9 months in barrel.Grangehurst Pinotage
888Grangehurst’s maiden 1992 vintage was vinified on a converted squash court. Since then, this specialist red wine cellar has lost none of its handcrafted appeal. One of the Cape’s best Pinotage’s, it is firmly structured, yet elegant, showing good depth and complexityScions of Sinai ‘Féniks’ Pinotage
885Sinai is the Stellenbosch stomping ground of Bernard Bredell, scion of the family which once owned much of these granite and silicarich hills. Féniks (Phoenix) is made to appeal to pinot & grenache drinkers, helping to change the old-fashioned image of the variety. Old vines produce an intense, focused and refreshing wine. Plum and red cherry express the fresher side of pinotage’s flavour spectrum.
Merlot
De Trafford Merlot
1191A stylishly made, impressively concentrated, generous Merlot yielding bright, polished fruit aromas and flavours. Plushly textured, classy wine from this small internationally renowned cellar. Blended with a splash of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot before maturation in French barrelsIngrid & Luca Bein Merlot
129 / 518Swiss vets Ingrid & Luca Bein turned to winemaking after falling in love with the Cape. Tiny amounts of fresh and elegant Merlot are made from only two hectares of vines. Judicious oaking allows the polished plum fruit flavours to shine throughThelema Mountain Vineyards Merlot
594Highly sought-after, expressive Merlot from pioneering winemaker Gyles Webb’s beautiful property at the top of the Helshoogte Pass. His emphasis on ripe tannins, supple textures and complex fruit make this a consistent and distinctive MerlotEagle’s Nest Merlot
536The farm that is now Eagles’ Nest was used as a refreshment station between the Wynberg in the east, and the harbour of Hout Bay in the west, before travelers made their way over Constantia Nek. Their Merlot is undoubtedly one of the best in the Cape: richly ripe and fleshy, but underpinned by gorgeously plush tanninsVondeling ‘Petit’ Merlot
81 / 325‘Vondeling’ employ a full-time botanist to geo-tag the endangered ‘fynbos’ on their unique ‘Voor-Paardeberg’ property, which delivers a juicy, accessible Merlot - ready to drink now on its own, with roast lamb or a myriad of robust sauces
Cabernet Sauvignon
Restless River ‘Main Rd & Dignity’ Cabernet Sauvignon
1948Planted by proprietors Craig & Anne Wessels in the late 90s, Restless River has the oldest Cabernet vines in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, a cool area better known for its Pinots. No expense is spared in the making of miniscule amounts of this avant-garde, elegant but densely fruited wineGlenelly The ‘Glass Collection’ Cabernet Sauvignon
98 / 395Bordeaux’s Madame de Lencquesaing acquired this property neighbouring Rustenberg in 2003, convinced it could produce highquality wines. ‘Glass Collection’ is the second label and over-delivers for the price. Quintessential cab. with blackcurrant flavours and fine tanninsDavid Finlayson Cabernet Sauvignon
122 / 489Made with more than a nod to the classic wines of the Médoc, attesting to the time David Finlayson spent working at world-renowned Chateau Margaux. Four clones of cabernet planted on different Stellenbosch sites make up this firmly structured blackcurrant and raspberry flavoured red, with richness framed by spicy oak tannins.Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon
941Alex Starey’s cabernet fruit comes from Keermont’s low-yielding Cottage Lane vineyard on the ‘Helderberg’ slopes, where clay soils translate to a wine with power and tension, with fresh acidity and dense tannins keeping ripe, juicy blackcurrant fruit in checkLe Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
2647Etienne Le Riche, a French Huguenot descendant, left the famous Rustenberg Estate in 1996 to establish his own winery, and has built a solid following for his classically-styled Cabernets. Concentrated cassis fruit flavours are underpinned by a firm, ripe tannin structure, making a deliciously whole and elegant wine
Shiraz | Syrah
Luddite Shiraz
3780Larger-than-life Neils Verburg employs traditional winemaking methods to capture the essence of his Shiraz grapes, resulting in intense, pure-fruited wine with a wonderfully silky texture and seamless tannins. Wife, Penny cares for the vineyards, the bedrock of all great winesMaree Family Wines ‘Klein Jakkals’ Syrah
72 / 288Celebrating beloved Sam, foreman on the Maree farm in Namibia. Father-son duo Jacques (senior & junior - A.K.A ‘Jakkals’) Maree, source Syrah from prime ‘Simonsberg’ vineyards to showcase this region’s ancient weathered granitic soils, which yield an elegant, expressively perfumed Syrah, with spicy pepper notes and appetising freshnessStark-Condé Stellenbosch Syrah
755Richly perfumed, sumptuous red-berry fruit aromas with hints of black pepper and dried herbs are characteristic of José Condé’s Jonkershoek vineyards. Enjoy the focused core of spicy dark fruit harmoniously balanced by fine, polished tanninsThe Foundry Syrah
859One of the Cape’s top examples, made by talented ex-Meerlust Winemaker Chris Williams, who believes texture and balance to be the most important components of a wine. Expressive, rich and spicy flavours with supple structure and an elegant, savoury finishBeau Constantia ‘Stella’ Syrah
995Fast becoming one of the most alluring cool-climate syrahs in the Cape (blended with a dollop of viognier) Megan van der Merwe uses only a small portion of new oak barrels to mature her flavourful, beautifully scented and lightly peppery syrah on the flanks of Constantia Nek.
Red Blends
De Toren ‘Délicate’
489As the label from this top-draw winery suggests, this is a delicately juicy, medium-bodied red - intended for lightly chilled enjoyment, an aperitif, with carpaccio or our Sunday alfresco starters. Malbec leads, with Merlot and Cabernets making for a convivial blendConstantia Glen ‘Five’
1595Named for the inclusion of all five permitted Bordeaux grape varieties, this flagship is a stately blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. This smart, savoury wine is best enjoyed with our beef filletNativo Red Blend (organic)
135 / 540Argentinian-born engineer Billy Hughes and his geneticist daughter Kiki, only make a red and a white blend, from organic fruit, on their Swartland farm. Made with minimal intervention, and no new oak, this blend of Syrah, Pinotage, Mourvédre, Grenache and Tempranillo offers dark berry spiciness and welcoming warmthMiles Mossop ‘Max’
1200Regular Platter 5-star wine, named for Tokara winemaker Mossop’s son. One of the most elegant, plushly modern Cabernet-led Bordeauxstyled blends around. Its structured tannins are a good match for pan-seared meats‘Essay’ Red Blend
63 / 255‘Essay’ refers to the abbreviation for South Africa – ‘SA’ as well as reflecting the diverse blend creating a wine greater than its individual parts: versatile syrah, perfumed grenache, deeply spicy mourvèdre and cinsault’s burst of red fruit and soft mouthfeel. Distinctively gentle everyday red whilst impressive winner of two 2023 Investec Trophies.Salt Rock Red Blend
312Raised at Villiera, Xander Grier uses his deep knowledge of Stellenbosch to source fruit from various vineyards. His intention in this case, to make a punchy, blockbuster red for everyday drinking. Merlot, both cabs, petit Verdot, shiraz and cinsault are blended to do just that, delivering a dark-fruited, smoothly tannic and classic non vintage red.Taaibosch ‘Crescendo’
1095Schalk-Willem Joubert crafts this seamless cabernet franc-led blend with merlot and a splash of cabernet sauvignon from the famous old Cordoba vineyards in the Helderberg. Complex, layered and beautifully restrained, with perfumed oak and red berry flavours. Highly recommended by Tim Atkin 97/100!
Red Outliers
‘Bloemcool Oupa se Wingererd’ Grenache
959Old Vine Project certified grenache from a 50-year-old vineyard planted at 650 metres, yields wild dark berry and pomegranate flavours with piercing freshness and minerality adding to the vibrant character. Hand-made labels are implanted with real cauliflower (‘bloemcool’) seeds let the story of ‘Bloemcool’ live on when you take the label home with you.Steenberg Nebbiolo
818The Cape’s single – hectare ‘Mother Block’ of this Piedmontese grape was planted almost 30 years ago at Steenberg, reflecting a newly innovative industry in 1994. Deliciously aromatic with earthy autumnal tones and fresh, ripe red fruits balancing the variety’s signature firm tannins and acidity. The wines Italian flair makes our full – flavoured roast quail a splendid companion.Painted Wolf ‘Black pack’ Mourvédre
789Few winemakers are brave enough to bottle Mourvédre on its own. Pioneering Jeremy Borg is one of these – only because he manages to obtain exceptional fruit from a friend’s Swartland vineyard. Sweetly spicy with dark plum flavours and bright acidity, it pairs well with our loin of springbok. The endangered African wild dog graces the label, and a generous percentage of the proceeds go to conservation charity ‘TUSK’.Bellevue Estate Cinsault
79 / 318This estate on the Bottleray Hills farm in Stellenbosch has been in the hands of the Morkel family since 1861, famous for its pioneering Pinotage innovation in the 1950’s. We thought there Cinsault is a contemporary hidden gem with its abundant red berry fruitiness and earthy creaminess, tamed with a year in extra large oak barrels.Pilgrim Wines Bastardo Do Castello
660The only sixty six Trousseau vines found in Stellenbosch (registered locally as Bastardo do Castello) produce this full-bodied yet brightly-styled and fresh cherry and berry flavoured red. Structured more by acidity and minerality, it is a typical food wine which spends 3 years in mostly older oak before bottling.
Fortified and Dessert Wines
Joostenberg Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest (50ml)
55A must with (or instead) of a dessert. Sweet, botrytised chenin blanc with lip-smacking, savoury line of acidity to balance the richly layered dried apricot flavours. (Or try with paté before a meal).Klein Constantia ‘Vin de Constance’ (50 ml)
200This recreation of the legendary 18th century sweet wine of Constantia well deserves all the accolades it receives. Made from Muscat de Frontignan, which is left to raisin on the vines, it is deep gold in colour with intense aromas of dried apricot, tangerine, and Muscat. Luscious, concentrated, sweet fruit flavours on the palate are balanced by fine acidity, and followed by an exceptionally long, flavourful finishWeltevrede ‘Ouma se Wyn’ (50 ml)
75Fortified white muscadel, made especially for the winemaker’s Ouma. Scented Turkish-delight, smooth, genteel, yet intense. Uncloyingly sweet - just like OumaPeter Bayly Cape Vintage (75 ml)
86Made from top traditional Portuguese varieties, this is one of South Africa’s finest port-styled wines. Approachable even in its youth, it offers a luxuriously rich mouthful of spicy nut and fruitcake flavoursDe Krans Ruby Port (75 ml)
71Pale red Cape benchmark offers lively aromas of fresh dark plums, cherries and chocolate. Fabulous on the palate with a light grainy texture, with fruit notes and a mellow spirit finishQuentin’s Cape lemon liqueur (50 ml)
52Peak season Cape winter lemon distillate makes for a perfect after dinner palate cleanser, pronounced citrus spritz, not overwhelmed by tacky sugar palate, sips well at 20% alcohol by volume