JUST THREE months into 2023 and international panels of wine experts have found more than a dozen South African delights from various corners of the Western Cape that are selling for under R100 a bottle. In the first quarter of the year, 150 of the country's wines received good to very good reviews – 50 selling for between R100 and R200pb, 39 between R200 and R300pb, 23 between R300 and R500pb, a couple in the thousands. However, 40 or so were going for under R150pb, 14 available for less than R100, and of these (listed below) the best bargains surely include the 2021 Ses'fikile white blend, still on sale at R83pb from the producer after being rated 95/100 in the UK's Decanter Magazine. (For more about the Chenin Roussanne combo, watch this space)
CHARDONNAY
Douglas Green 2022
R69pb approximate retail
Bellingham Homestead 2021
R95pb from producer, Franschhoek
CHENIN BLANC
Backsberg Gravel Road 2022
R70pb from producer, Franschhoek
MAN Free-Run Steen 2022
R85pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Mountain Ridge 2020
R85pb ex-cellar, Wolseley
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Brampton 2022
R80pb ex-producer, Stellenbosch
Franschhoek Cellar Statue de Femme 2022
R80pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Spier 2022
R80pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Durbanville Hills 2022
R90pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Groot Phesantekraal 2022
R94pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Bellingham Homestead 2022
R95pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
WHITE BLENDS
Ses'fikile Chenin Blanc Roussanne 2021
R83pb ex-producer, Stellenbosch
Forager White 2021 (Chenin & Grenache)
R90pb from African Pride, Stellenbosch
AND A RED
Douglas Green Vineyard Friends Pinotage 2021
R75pb ex-DGB, Wellington
