Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore 2019
Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore 2019
A heady perfume of meaty red fruit and spice rises from the glass on the bouquet. Rich and mouth-filling on the palate, a real vino di piacere with ripe red and black, spicy fruit vying for attention, brought together by rapier-like acidity and meltingly fine tannins. This delicious Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese blend from Bolgheri is not trying to be Sassicaia nor Ornellaia; it’s very much its own wine, more akin to Tignanello, but different again from the wine from Chianti Classico. It’s a delightful wine—delicious now but capable of up to a decade’s cellaring.
Drink now to 2030
Gabriëlskloof Syrah on Sandstone Bot River 2018
The Gabriëlskloof `Syrah on Sandstone` Bot River 2018
From vines that are reaching a good level of maturity, this is a really impressive Syrah from Peter-Allan. Lavender and liquorice, and blackberry fruit mark out a wine that balances the warmth of the site and delicate winemaking.
96/100 Deano da Vino Simply Outstanding!!!!!
Borsao Tres Picos 2022
Corino Nebbiolo Langhe 2023
Corino Nebbiolo Langhe 2023 has a bright color with ruby tones and violet reflections. Its aromatic profile is fragrant and lively with notes of berries, sour cherries, and violets. On the palate, it is fresh and exuberant with a medium body and silky tannins. The finish is long and fresh. It is a young wine ready to drink immediately, which pairs perfectly with pasta with ragù, mushroom risotto, and truffle mac and cheese.
Balnaves Cabernet – Merlot 2020
Hartenberg The Megan 2016
Hartenberg The Megan 2016
TASTING NOTES:
Vibrant red cherry, Karoo shrub and spicy notes on the bouquet. Incredibly soft on palate entry. The mid-palate is creamy, juicy,
bursting with flavour and finishes with a very moreish, lingering aftertaste. Fine dry tannins will ensure beneficial further ageing.
85% Shiraz
12% Grenache
3% Mourvedre
94/100 Tim Atkin MW
Meerlust Rubicon 2016 Magnum Gift Tin
The Meerlust Rubicon 2016 (Magnum) shows great charm and drinkability even at this early stage, no doubt a result of the high Merlot and Cabernet Franc composition. We were very cautious with regards to tannic structure as some of the later Cabs exhibited astringency which we wanted to minimise in the final blend. Wonderful exotic aromas of plum, sandalwood and perfume, still with a touch of creamy vanilla. The palate is medium bodied with a forward dark fruit flavour of cassis and mulberry followed by a lithe tannic structure fleshed out with juicy fruit. The impression is one of litheness and grace rather than over-arching power.
Blend Information
49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Mullineux Syrah 2021
The Mullineux Syrah 2021 has Swartland aromatic notes of spicy citrus zest, black fruit, and violets, which follow through on the palate. The wine is elegant and restrained yet has good body and a silky texture balanced by a fresh, natural acidity. The finish is long with supple, dusty tannins.
Deano
Constantia Glen THREE 2022
Constantia Glen THREE 2022 is youthful in appearance, this wine has a deep ruby hue. Beautiful concentration of dark fruit aromas on the nose with pronounced blackcurrant and ripe plum is complemented by a subtle touch of dried herbs and a hint of spice. There is a lovely savory complexity beyond the initial ripe fruit with lingering notes of white pepper, graphite, and cedar. The wine is rich and textured, with elegant, velvety, fine-grain tannins that grip the palate in a vibrant intensity of flavour. This wine is poised, elegant and with it’s inherent freshness, brings about a long, well-defined finish. While this wine comes across as tightly wound in its youth, it holds significant ageing potential
La Rioja Alta Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2017
🍷 Tasting Profile: The wine typically shows a complex, layered nose with aromas of balsamic red and black fruits (like cherry, blackcurrant and raspberry) intertwined with spice, vanilla, toasted oak, cinnamon, brioche and subtle earthy or mineral notes from its long barrel ageing. On the palate critics and sellers describe it as medium-full bodied, balanced and fresh, with silky, fine-grained tannins, lively acidity and a long, persistent finish that combines fruit, spice and oak harmoniously.
📊 Critics’ Views: The 2017 vintage has been well-received by critics, with most scores in the 93–96/100 range. James Suckling (96) highlights a deep, savoury nose with energy and a long finish, while Jeb Dunnuck (94) praises its classic structure, integrated acidity and gravelly mineral profile. Vinous (94) notes its sun-kissed red fruit, balsamic wood and fine texture, and Wine Advocate (93) calls it harmonious and elegant, a strong performance given the challenging vintage.
📅 Ageing Potential: Critics generally agree the wine will continue to evolve positively with further cellaring. Many suggest peak drinking from the mid-2020s into the 2030s or beyond, with structure and freshness that should support longer-term development.
La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza 2019
La Rioja Alta S.A. Viña Ardanza 2019
The vintage is regarded as outstanding, with strong ageing potential.
Colour: Bright cherry red with medium-high density and a classic garnet rim.
Aroma: Redcurrant, plum and cherry layered with balsamic touches and spice notes such as black pepper, licorice, clove, nutmeg and vanilla.
Palate: Fresh, balanced and elegant. Sweet, refined tannins, vibrant acidity, red-fruit purity, hints of cedar and tobacco leaf, and a long, energetic finish.
Critic Scores
Jeb Dunnuck: 96
James Suckling: 95
Wine Advocate (Robert Parker): 94
Decanter: 94
Vinous: 93
DeMorgenzon Maestro Red 2017
DeMorgenzon Maestro Red 2017
TASTING NOTES
This wine has notes of cassis with rich, red fruit, dried herbs, perfume and plums
on the nose. The palate is soft and silky with integrated flavours of cigar box and
black fruit.
Decanter World Wine Awards 2020: Silver Medal
International Wine Challenge 2020: Silver Medal
Tim Atkin MW Special South Africa Report 2019: 92 points
