The Three Pines vineyard at Stark-Condé, Jonkershoek Valley STARK-CONDÉ WINES in the Jonkershoek Valley of Stellenbosch was the Most Successful Producer at the 2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, followed by the cellars of KWV, Delaire Graff, Rustenberg, Cederberg, Rijk’s, Jordan, Diemersfontein, Eikendal, Hillcrest and Simonsig. And just as interesting as the latest reviews regarding some of South Africa’s top quality
Read moreTALK ABOUT the top seeds winning through time and again… At the 2013 Concours Mondial du Sauvignon held in the Loire, France, there was only one real surprise among the most successful South African entries – Totus 2009 being a few years older than most of the other gold medallists and from a Stellenbosch producer new to the podium and
Read moreSOUTH AFRICAN Shiraz that has been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which costs less than R80 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the winery is closed to the public: BRAMPTON 2009 – R55 CITRUSDAL CELLARS’ Six Hats 2010 – R50 CLOOF The Very Sexy 2009 – R75
Read moreGREAT BUYS for the festive season… Pinotage that has been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND that costs less than R80 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the public can’t buy directly from the producer: ALLEE BLEUE Starlette 2011 – R42 BEYERSKLOOF 2011 – R55 BOLAND CELLAR Reserve No
Read moreSOUTH AFRICAN Merlot that has been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which costs less than R100 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the cellar is closed to the public: ANURA Reserve 2009 – R95 BILTON 2008 – R89 BOLAND CELLAR Reserve No 1 2009 – R77 CLOS MALVERNE 2010 –
Read moreSTAND-OUT Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa, the best reviews of the year from around the world for a wine’s that’s particularly popular when it comes to summertime entertainment, lunching and dining outdoors – and with more than a couple of top accolades for Buitenverwachting, Diemersdal, Kleine Zalze and Lomond: Bloemendal 2012 – double gold medal at Veritas Awards Boschendal Reserve Collection 2012 – gold
Read moreTHE STAND-OUT Pinotage wines, the best reviews of the year when it comes to South Africa’s most successful ‘indigenous’ variety – with Rijk’s heading up a select group of multi award winners including Bellingham, Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, Kaapzicht, Simonsig, Spier, the Swartland Winery and Windmeul: Allée Bleue 2009 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection Altydgedacht 2011 – winner in Top 10 Pinotage Competition Bellingham
Read moreCAN’T HELP IT… One look at the SA Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group’s Top 10 for 2012 and two producers stand out: Diemersdal Estate, a Sauvignon specialist in Durbanville, and Lomond of the Cape Agulhas district, whose grapes are hauled across to Stellenbosch each year to turn into wine at The Bergkelder, Distell’s ‘mountain cellar’. Lomond’s Sauvignon Blancs take somebeating, with
Read morePainted Wolf Wines join“Pinotage brotherhood” NO KANONKOP or Beyerskloof wine among the Pinotage Association’s Absa Top 10 competition! Can this be? And it doesn’t stop there: there’s also no L’Avenir, no DeWaal and no Stellenzicht Pinotage among the award winners – not even among the Top 20! On the other hand, top performers in the competition to date who were called up
Read more
