Durif may have been ‘born’ in southwest France, but it’s really come into its own in the warmth of the New World. Our Aussie producers were first to take up the baton with this grape and have been supplying us with best sellers such as Black Stump. But this variety is equally at home in the Cape, especially in the able hands of Charles Back. Charles’s grandfather emigrated from Lithuania in 1900 and bought his first vineyard in 1916. He won Champion wine in 1926 and today’s generation continues the prize-winning streak. Charles is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the South African wine trade. He’ll certainly be setting a trend with this fabulous, rich red. A wine to enjoy with hearty dishes – roast meats or casseroles.
Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon 2005/2006, Stellenbosch
Predominantly made from Cabernet Sauvignon grown in premium vineyards of the Helderberg region. Intensely aromatic fused with spicy black currants and ripe plums. A fine and well structured palate bursts with juicy blackberry characters and hints of soft vanilla. An ensemble of fruit throughout is balanced by an exquisite structure of soft tannins creating a fine and elegant wine.
Stumble Vineyards Malbec 2011
Bruce Jack is one of the most contagiously enthusiastic winemakers you’ll ever meet. He was declared South Africa’s ‘Winemaker of the Year 2009’ and his cellar, based in a former dynamite factory just 400m from the sea, scooped ‘Winery of the Year’ in 2008. He ‘stumbled’ upon the vines for this pure Malbec while out hiking in the area and was delighted with the quality of the fruit. Cooled by sea breezes, the grapes ripen slowly, developing pronounced aromatics, and thanks to Bruce’s 100% gravity fed winery the wine has a wonderfully silky texture.Full of spicy damson and bramble fruit, this red is best with food, so crack open a bottle with a large steak, hearty stews, tomato and garlic sauced pasta or a moussaka style dish.
Longridge Chenin Blanc 2010
Longridge is an ambitious Cape estate in the premium region of Stellenbosch in the lee of the Helderberg mountains. It has been a farm since the 1840s. The current team, headed by the highly accomplished Jasper Raats, is focusing on environmental stewardship and matching various grapes to the estate’s wide array of soils and microclimates.South Africa’s current crop of innovative, passionate winemakers are working wonders with Chenin Blanc, the country’s signature white, and Longridge has proved its credentials with a Gold medal from the Decanter World Wine awards in London.Made from a single vineyard of 30 year old vines, this wine has crisp apple fruit, lively acidity and impeccable balance. A great wine with seafood and white meats.
Babylon’s Peak Chenin Blanc 2011
Babylon’s Peak is a cellar on the slopes of the Paardeberg Mountain, between Malmesbury and Paarl, owned by the Basson family for four generations. In 2003 Stephan Basson renovated the old cellar and picked up where his grandfather had left off back in 1948. ‘Babylon’s Peak’, known locally as ‘Babylonstoren’, is a granite outcrop towering over the farm, where you find some of the highest vineyards in Swartland, at 700 metres above sea level. Long hours of sunshine give richly satisfying tropical fruit – the hallmark of fine Chenin – while the cooler mountain air ensures an elegance that sets this wine apart from wines grown on the plain.Most enjoyable on its own and mighty fine with grilled fish, roast chicken or vegetarian casseroles.
