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Groenendal Vineyards Shiraz

Last year, the stunning 2006 vintage of this super-spicy Shiraz won a cluster of Gold medals and a perfect 10-out-of-10 score from our senior tasting panel (tougher scorers you won’t find!) This magnificent 2007 looks destined for similar success, thanks to an ultra-ripe ‘heatwave’ Summer!

Winemaker Frank Meaker selected the best Shiraz vineyard plots from high on the slopes of the Groenberg mountain for this blockbusting red. The ripe and luscious grapes were handpicked to ensure only the best fruit made it into the wine. Classic flavours of chocolaty bramble and black cherry, intermingled with spicy oak.

Cracking value – you do not want to miss this!

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Dassen View Sauvignon Blanc 2008

SORRY THIS WINE IS NOW SOLD OUT

As a child, Jacques Erasmus dreamt of being a world-class winemaker. Starting with his first wine at the age of 12, he’s been pursuing his dream ever since. Now he’s turned his award-winning skills to Dassen View, named after an island close to the coastal vineyards.

This 100% Sauvignon is fermented at low temperature to capture all the crisp fruit flavours. Bright green-gold in colour with lively aromas of apple and lemon. Gooseberry-fresh flavours and citrus notes make this a great aperitif, or serve with a vegetable stir-fry or grilled white fish with chilli salsa.

Type:Still White Wine Country:South Africa Appellation:Coastal Region WO
Grape Type:Sauvignon Blanc Drink Before:End of June 2010 Style:Dry
Alcohol:12.5% Bottle Size:75cl Bottle Bottle Code:27013
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Marthinus Chenin Blanc

SORRY THIS WINE IS NOW SOLD OUT

Originally from the Loire, Chenin Blanc produces an amazing array of wine styles, from bone-dry to honey-sweet, still to full sparkling. It’s a hugely versatile variety with high acidity – perfect for fresh dry whites.

In the 20th century, it was adopted by South Africa and took a shine to the warm climate. Previously used mostly for distillation into brandy, the grape is now producing some of the country’s tastiest whites. This is one from Frank Meaker, grandson of Paul Sauer, who was renowned for being founder of the Kanonkop estate, one of the finest wineries of all South Africa, as well as a leading politician.

Frank works at the Bovlei winery in Wellington, about a 20-minute drive north from the town of Paarl, at the foot of the majestic Hawekwa mountains. The fruit for the cellar’s wines comes from local growers, with whom Frank works very closely … choosing the best cultivars, assisting with the planting programme, the soil preparation and the yield control.

The grapes for this particular wine came from a 15-year-old vineyard on the southern slopes of the Hawekwa Mountains. They were all hand-picked in the cool early morning (to maintain freshness) and fermented at a low temperature to retain maximum fruit. The wine was left on its lees (the natural sediment produced during fermentation i.e. the dead yeast cells) for a few weeks to increase depth of flavour.

Sunday Times Wine Club Vintage Festival 2008, United Kingdom

Session 3 at the Vintage Festival April 2008 2008, United Kingdom

Type:Still White Wine Country:South Africa Appellation:Wellington WO
Grape Type:Chenin Blanc Drink Before:End of 2009 Style:Dry
Alcohol:12.5% Bottle Size:75cl Bottle Bottle Code:26406
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Great Cape Reds

Deeply satisfying reds of South Africa … rich, indulgent and bursting with juice-filled charm. Deep, rich flavours, immense power, perfect balance … Cape reds have everything going for them, great value included. Just ignore mass-produced supermarket brands and choose limited edition, estate specials like these!

Let’s start high in Stellenbosch at historic Delaire Estate, home to lavishly oaked, supremely elegant Winery Heights, then move on to near neighbour Joubert’s Farm where 5th generation Jannie Joubert and son craft gloriously smooth, spicy, barrel-aged Shiraz.

The smoky richness of Pinotage – South Africa’s signature grape – is underlined by Drakenskloof, you’ve claret-like finesse in Wolvehoek Merlot Cabernet while Groenendal offers you another taste of peppery, oak-aged Shiraz.

Finally, the really big one – Franz Smit’s mighty Groote Kaap Cabernet, so velvety and fruity you barely notice its 15.5% power … at first!