Elena Walch Lagrein Alto Adige 2024
Lagrein is the noteworthy red grape of the Sudturol. A late ripeing variety comparable to Teroldego and related to Syrah, this is dark and spicy yet with wonderful youthful freshness. The team at Elena Walch mature the wine in large wooden barrels to help soften out the graphite like tannins and spice up the plummy fruit. Lots of bramble nuance alonside cocoa and smoke while the palate has a muscular earthiness similar to Cornas Syrah of Spanish Monastrell.
Fenocchio Langhe Nebbiolo 2023
Pio Cesare – Barbera d’Alba Doc “Fides” Vigna Mosconi 2019
Raats Red Jasper 2022
Raats Red Jasper 2022, is a blend of 49% Cabernet Franc, 35% Malbec, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Merlot and 3.5% Petit Verdot, we encounter an incredibly plush, luscious, approachable red blend brimming with earthy red berry fruits, aromatics of violets and sweet lavender, dried baking herbs and subtle notes of graphite and lead pencil. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied and plush, soft textured but also fleshy, creamy and deliciously accessible boasting toasty notes of black currant, damson plum and sour black cherries. A very compact and complete wine on release, this cuvee might not rise to the heights of the 2021, but in a funny kind of way, consumers desiring instant enjoyment now may actually love the 2022’s creamy opulence more than the bracing acid structure of the 2021. This wine simply gets better and better every vintage. Well done Bruwer!
93/100 GSMW (review c/o.)
(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Food suggestions Venison dishes / lazy-aged sirloin or rib-eye / Hard cheese
TOKARA Director’s Reserve Red 2021
TOKARA Director’s Reserve Red 2020
The wine has stunning depth of colour with an intense garnet centre and a ruby rim. The nose showcases complex aromas of dried tobacco leaf, subtle violet flower, dried currants, baking spice and graphite. The wine enters the palate with incredible purity and
focus. Flavours are those of dark cherries, blackberries and ripe plum skin. Sumptuous and full there is a hint of spice on the mid-palate which leads to fine yet dense tannins and a lengthy finish.
This wine is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. The grapes originated from TOKARA’s premium vineyards on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain outside of Stellenbosch.
Food pairing: Grilled ribeye steak served with Béarnaise sauce, and potato Dauphinoise.
Constantia Glen FIVE 2022
TASTING NOTE
This wine has a vibrant and youthful dark ruby colour. On the nose, pronounced aromas of Morello cherries, ripe blackcurrant, and plums are elevated by a delicate fragrance of violets and dried herbs. Underlying savoury notes of tobacco pouch, cedar, and graphite add complexity and intrigue.
On the palate, the wine is rich and concentrated, with bold dark fruit flavours that are beautifully balanced by this blend’s inherent freshness. The fine-grained tannins provide a mouth-coating texture and wonderful persistence that creates a lingering finish. This wine is beautifully structured, showcasing a harmonious blend of dark fruit, elegance, and finesse. The wine comes across as tightly wound in its youth, but with all the potential for incredible ageing potential.
TECHNICAL DATA
A carefully crafted blend of 28% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot and 9% Malbec, matured for 19 months in 80% new and 20% secondfill 225 litre French oak
barrels. Following barrel maturation, the wine received a very light filtration before making its way into bottle on 12 December 2023. With no fining agents used during the production of this wine, a harmless sediment may occur during maturation in the bottle. This is a classic and bold vintage of the Constantia Glen FIVE, which will continue to age and develop admirably in bottle for up to 10 to 15 years from harvest, under correct cellaring conditions.
Cavalli Warlord 2021
A Bordeaux blend consisting of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec and 16% Petit Verdot. Notes of fresh plum, black-forest cake and cedar spice. The wine shows a delicate mid-palate with soft, rounded tannins that complement a well-balanced acidity.
Exuding luxury and elegance, named to embody the very essence of power and prestige, this Bordeaux-style blend consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, was one of the first wines ever produced at Cavalli Estate.
Vilafonte Series C 2022
The Blend
22 months in 73% new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak.
Series C 2022 consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (24%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Malbec (10%).
64 barrels were produced.
A compelling expression of Series C with a quiet reflection of the time and place.
It presents a deep, dark-red core to garnet edge. The aromatics are captivating, leading with an exotic blend of jasmine and oud perfume, interwoven with layers of blue and black fruits — Damson plum, blackberry, and cassis. A subtle hint of dried citrus peel and smoky char adds complexity. On the palate, this wine is broad and dense, yet exhibits an understated elegance. It moves gracefully, with a svelte texture that coats the mouth. The dense, sweet fruit is complemented by a fine, dark chocolate
finish, leading to a long, generous aftertaste. While the 2022 Series C is remarkably complete in its youth, this blend will reward those who exercise patience as it continues to evolve and develop complexity. Enjoy now or cellar for two decades or more.
Vilafonté Series M 2022
Series M 2022
Immersive & Engaging
Expect this vintage of Series M to provide increasing finesse and pleasure over time. It’s colour is deep, garnet-red colour with a dense centre. The entry is pure-fruited and focused, showcasing a vibrant medley of pomegranate, cranberry, raspberry, and blueberry compote. These are layered with sweet notes of crème brûlée and vanilla pod, complemented by intriguing hints of tarragon, cardamom, and a touch of savoury character. On the palate, the wine is broad and luscious from the first sip, with plush, crushed velvet tannins. The palate continues seamlessly from the nose, with abundant red fruits leading to a long, delicious finish.
While the 2022 Series M is remarkably complete in its youth, this blend will reward those who exercise patience as it continues to evolve and develop complexity. Enjoy now or cellar for two decades or more.
The Blend
22 months in 30% new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak.
Series M 2022 consists of Merlot (40%), Malbec (39%), Cabernet Sauvignon (16%) and Cabernet Franc (5%).
80 barrels were produced.
VERGELEGEN V 2017
VERGELEGEN V 2017 is from a small selection of the best barrels from Vergelegen's Stone Pine IV Vineyard. It should be no surprise that this blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot is once again 'extraordinarily good' (CE) considering 2017 is what Tim Atkin MW calls 'one of the best ever South African vintages'.
Scoring 96 points from WineMag's Christian Eedes, 95 points from Atkin and 94+ points from the Wine Advocate's Anthony Mueller, this is a 'fresher and more nuanced' (TA) V than the 2018 vintage that will follow. The nose is initially a bit reductive but opens up to reveals classic 'ripe, succulent aromas' (WA) of red and black berries, tea leaf, violets and cedarwood. The most significant feature of the 'tight and complex' (WA) is its 'reined-in power' (CE). Its combination of 'lovely fruit purity, fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins' (CE) make this a 'steadfast and pleasurable' (WA) Bordeaux blend that is sure to delight for many decades to come.
Buitenverwachting Christine 2018
Vilafonte Seriously Old Dirt 2022
Vilafonté Seriously Old Dirt 2022 is a vibrant, medium-bodied South African red with an enticing mix of black and red fruits, floral lift and warm spice. It’s plush on the palate with silky tannins, fresh acidity and a savory finish, making it both enjoyable now and capable of developing further in bottle.
Critics’ scores
James Suckling: 93–94 / 100
Rich, polished and fruit-driven with a creamy texture and good depth.
Wine Advocate (Robert Parker): ~93 / 100
Structured, concentrated, and well balanced with dark fruit and savoury complexity.
Wine Spectator: 91–92 / 100
Solid, well-made Bordeaux-style blend with good freshness and length.
Tim Atkin MW: ~91 / 100
Well judged, harmonious, and true to the Vilafonté style.
Vinous (Neal Martin): 89 / 100
More restrained and herbal in style, medium-bodied with good balance but less power than top peers.
