Marras Lamprecht Shiraz 2022
Bright ruby-purple. Lifted nose of blackberry, dark plum and mulberry over crushed white pepper, dried fynbos, smoked meat and a savoury floral lift. Medium-bodied with bright acidity, fine pebbly tannins and a long, peppery finish. A Swartland Shiraz that drinks more like a cool-climate Rhône — excellent with grilled lamb chops, mushroom risotto, charcuterie or a Cape braai.
Kleinood Tamboerskloof Syrah 2020
Deep ruby-purple. Lifted, perfumed nose of blackberry, mulberry and dark plum over crushed black pepper, smoked meat, violets and a savoury bramble-leaf lift. Medium- to full-bodied with bright Stellenbosch acidity, fine-grained tannins and a long, mineral-edged finish carrying the cool-site signature of the estate. Excellent with grilled lamb, slow-roast duck, beef short rib or game.
Ken Forrester The FMC Chenin Blanc 2025
Bright gold with a subtle green core. Powerful, complex nose of ripe apricot, baked quince, beeswax, honey, vanilla and crème brûlée from extended barrel work, lifted by leesy texture and a hint of dried fynbos. Full-bodied with a creamy, opulent mid-palate, focused mineral acidity holding it taut, and a long, layered finish. A serious Cape Chenin built for grand dishes — roast pork, lobster, coq au vin or aged Comté — and equally for the cellar (10+ years).
Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2025
Bright straw with green-gold highlights. Lifted nose of ripe pear, baked apple, white peach and honeysuckle, backed by leesy, creamy texture and subtle vanilla-spice from oak. Medium- to full-bodied palate with characteristic Cape Chenin acidity, a chalky-mineral mid-palate and a long, satisfying finish. Excellent with roast chicken, creamy risottos, mature cheeses or grilled white fish.
Morgenster Estate Lourens River Valley Red 2019
Deep ruby with garnet edges. Polished nose of blackcurrant, dark plum, mulberry and graphite with savoury hints of cedar, dried herbs and sweet pipe tobacco. Medium- to full-bodied with refined, fine-grained tannins, a juicy mid-palate and a long, structured finish carrying Bordeaux-style restraint and Cape sunshine in equal measure. Drinks beautifully with grilled lamb, slow-roast beef or aged hard cheeses.
Emilio Moro 2023
Deep, opaque purple-black. Concentrated nose of black cherry, ripe plum and blueberry over a savoury core of crushed liquorice, sweet tobacco, cedar and vanilla from the oak. Full-bodied with fine-grained tannins, a polished mid-palate and a long, structured finish lifted by the limestone-driven freshness of the Ribera del Duero plateaus. Excellent with grilled lamb, suckling pig, ribeye or aged Manchego.
Meerlust Rubicon Gift Box Vertical 2016-17-18
Meerlust Rubicon Gift Box
3 bottle vertical, vintages...
2016 - Structured
2017 - Powerful
2018 - Elegant
Deano's opinion which may go against the grain, but he thinks the 2015 (very warm and forward) and wasn't the best Rubicon vintage of it's time. He believes the following 3 are true expressions of real class.
Meerlust Rubicon 2017 Magnum Gift Tin
The 2017 Rubicon from Meerlust is a stunning wine. On the nose, notes of ripe plum and five spice, and there’s also a very pretty floral note. The palate is structured, with incredibly refined tannins and a beautiful thread of acidity cutting through the core of intense fruit. The finish is beautifully detailed, and incredibly long. This is not to be missed.
Blend: ~ 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot.
Platters 5*
Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2022
Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 is intensely ruby red in color. Impressive on the nose with intense notes of black cherries, delicate floral hints of violets and rose petals that lead over to notes of vanilla and cocoa powder. Entry on the palate is mouth filling and lively then unfolds with great balance revealing supple vibrant tannins that accompany and sustain along, sapid and persistent finish
Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2022
Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva is a wine linked to the tradition of the territory and this Riserva version, produced by the Antinori family, is the maximum expression of classicism. Ruby red in color with light garnet reflections, it has excellent notes of berries, which bind well to those spiced cinnamon and toasted coffee, with slight hints of tobacco. On the palate it is harmonious, enveloping, with silky tannins; long and persistent in the aftertaste, where the fruity and woody notes perceived by the nose return.
Querciabella Chianti Classico 2022
Querciabella Chianti Classico 2020
93/100 James Suckling
Bright ruby-red core with a slight purple hue. Aromas of rose, violet, redcurrant cherries and juniper berries with a hint of liquorice.
Juicy on the palate, confirming the red berry fruits on the nose. Fine tannins that integrate perfectly with nice acidity. Persistent finish with a pleasant, savoury note.
