These sun drenched are perfect for ripening the spicy and juicy Shiraz grape. Notes of black pepper and cinnamon are evident before tumbling into a complex blueberry and Pomegranate infusion. Light hints of toasty oak add a pleasant creamy texture to a smooth raisin and Christmas cake finish.
Rietvallei Estate ‘Wild Rush’ Cabernet Rose
Created by Kobus Burger at the Rietvallei Estate in the Robertson region, the Wild Rush rosé uses Cabernet from vineyards planted on the highest hill of the region called ‘Klippiesdal’ in rich limestone soil. This rosé wine is made by bleeding the juice off the Cabernet skins, a method that preserves delicate aromas and varietal character. It has attractive summer fruit flavours of strawberry and redcurrant and a crisp refreshing acidity.
Barista Pinotage 2010, Western Cape
From the Val de Vie wine estate in the heart of the cape winelands, where wine production dates back to 1825. This is a deliberately modern offering by winemaker Bertus Fourie, who has concentrated on drawing out the coffee-like aromas of South Africa’s signature grape. Intense on the nose, with a bouquet of coffee, chocolate and cherry, with meaty, savoury hints. The tannins are ripe, perfectly suiting the round and mouth-filling plum and mulberry fruit. Drink on its own or with red meat dishes. Bertus’ recommends a blue-cheese-filled brandy snap with chocolate and roasted coffee beans!
The Rustler Pinotage 2011
Bruce Jack is one of the most passionate, innovative and contagiously enthusiastic winemakers you’ll ever meet. No wonder his wines are always so thrilling to taste. He was awarded South Africa’s ‘Winemaker of the Year’ in 2009 and his cellar, Flagstone, based in a former dynamite factory just 400 metres from the sea in Stellenbosch, scooped ‘Winery of the Year’ in 2008. Bruce believes in handcrafted wines that capture the essence of the vineyard, that don’t ‘stress to impress’ – which is why he loves Pinotage, a uniquely South African variety that delivers a full whack of fruity depth supported by gentle tannins. Velvety and weighty, this red requires hearty fare as accompaniment – roast beef or lamb, game sausages or moussaka perhaps.
White River Fairtrade Chenin Blanc 2011
White River is from the Bergsig Estate, set amongst beautiful countryside in Worcester and dominated by a mountainous backdrop and the sweeping Breede River. The Lategan family have tended the land for over 150 years and young De Wet Lategan made his mark soon after taking the helm, becoming South Africa’s ‘Young Winemaker of the Year’. De Wet has always been keen to support the local community, and recently received Fairtrade accreditation in recognition of this. His sorbet fresh Chenin Blanc is very crisp, thanks to night harvesting and cool fermentation capturing the lively lemon, lime and green apple characters of the grapes at the peak of their ripeness. Serve chilled as an aperitif or enjoy with white meat dishes, and pork.
