Wine

Alexander Pflüger assumed the reins from his father in 2010. It’s been in the family for generations and certified organic since 1989; it’s been biodynamic since 2008. The family have a passion for their terroir and this is reflected in the elegant, classic structure of this Riesling. It has lemon, green apple and white peach, clearly delineated minerality and excellent fruit/acid balance.

Weingut Pfluger

Aromas of vanilla, cracked black pepper and dark damson fruit. On the palate this wine is round and fleshy, beautifully balanced and packed full with robust red fruit flavours and a lick of oak.

Lifted floral notes complement ample ripe, plummy fruit, a touch of bramble and spicy notes. The palate has juicy red cherry and blackberry notes with a hint of dark chocolate. Good acidity and ripe, yet firm, tannins make this a good food wine!

A smooth, medium bodied and easy drinking wine that strikes a lovely balance with its blackberry, plum and dark cherry fruit characters coupled with classic varietal leafy tones. Made predominantly from Old Vine Cabernet Franc (85%), the balance being a harmonious blob of sibling Cabernet Sauvignon.

"I should have to admit approaching our meeting with Arendsig with a degree of scepticism as Robertson still struggles to command the respect afforded to Stellenbosch and Hermanus but my doubts proved to be totally unfounded as these were some of the most exciting wines that we tasted during our visit. Lourens Van Der Westhuizen’s winery may lack the grandeur and, let’s be honest, size of some of his peers to the west but this is a property that just screams ‘authenticity’. We had been fortunate to visit some stunningly beautiful wineries over the previous 10 days, many with stylish restaurants and showpiece cellars but this is the reality of winemaking for so many – battling against shortage of space and ferments that won’t do as they’re told, to create wines of unbelievable class.

All the wines are very site specific with the block no. stated on the label together with the (frequently tiny) number of bottles produced. Neutral vessels are used for maturation such that the character of the vineyard is allowed to shine through and only natural yeasts are used for the fermentation. Elegance and balance are the keywords here, together with length; these are wines that just beg to be drunk.

The Cabernet is delicious, in a juicy style. Fermented in 5,000 ltr foudres and 4-5 year old smaller formats this is scarcely touched by oak but has a fine, underlying richness and depth. Lovely red fruit core and great backbone." Chris Connolly

Precise and pure Cabernet Sauvignon fruit delivering a fantastic blend of cassis and dark berry flavours.

Redman Wines

Pronounced ripe red fruit aromas with a hint of vanilla and a lightly herbal note. The palate is full and well-structured with bramble and berry fruit alongside toasty notes and sweet spice. Ripe, supple tannins and juicy acidity give a long and balanced finish.

Bodegas Borsao

A fine, elegant style of Sauvignon with citrus fruit characters lifted by ripe gooseberry and floral notes. Zesty acidity balances perfectly with the considerable weight on the palate, and crisp grapefruit flavours make this an attractive and characterful wine.

Azienda Agricola Il Cascinone

Deep, dense red. Intense, brooding primary notes of dark plum fruit and dark chocolate which are lightly seasoned with vanillin oak.

A powerful and rich full bodied wine, with dark plum fruits coming to the forefront to fill the mouth and slowly give way to the texture of the wine which provides a fine dry tannin grip and balance.

Campbells of Rutherglen

A delicate nose of ripe stone fruit and a hint of creamy oak. The complex palate is well-balanced with ripe peach characters, a broad mouthfeel and some toasty oak in the background.

Azienda Agricola Il Cascinone

Fresh black cherries and cassis notes of the nose. With a juicy palate showing soft tannins with more red fruit flavours, and a touch of spice on the finish.

Più’ means ‘more’ in Italian and there’s more than just Carmenere in this typical blend from the Colli Berici, a line of gently rolling volcanic hills in Italy’s north-east. Merlot is a civilising influence, the plumy accent and refined tannins marry well with a touch of French oak

Vivid ruby core with a narrow purple rim. Elegant nose of small dark berries, cocoa and black pepper. Balanced, fresh palate, fruity and spicy, integrated tannins and length.

Azienda Agricola Inama

A ripe and juicy red, bursting with blackberry fruit, hints of spice and a full, robust finish.

Purple red color. Intense red and black fruit character – ripe cherries and blackberries dominate, with interesting notes of exotic spices and well integrated oak notes. The palate has a beautifully juicy and elegant structure with an important tannic backbone that gives length to the wine and will make it age gracefully.

Nittardi

Bodegas Castillo de Aresan was founded in 1979, taking its name from the founding couple Arena & Sanchez. 100% of their 160ha property is organic, helped no doubt by its location at 750m of altitude in the dry warm heart of Spain. As an added bonus their production is also 100% vegan

Their Verdejo is a generous joy, filled with expressive, lively fruit. Lots of citrus alongside ripe golden plum and galia melon result in something seriously quaffable. Perfect picnic wine!

Fresh, lightly savoury nose of ripe peach, lemon and fennel. Peachy and cashew nut characters on the palate are matched by a broad, textural palate and clean, fruity finish.

Ruby red colour with violet tints. On the nose it is fresh and elegant with characteristic aromas of cherry and red fruits. Light, harmonic and round on the palate with soft tannins.

A sophisticated, elegant 100% Bellone wine that embodies its terroir. It is named after one of the mythical Dioscuri, venerated in the ancient Temple of Castor and Pollux, whose imposing ruins are among Cori’s archaeological treasures.

Brilliant straw yellow colour; delicate fruity nose, yellow peach, hawthorn; fragrant, fresh palate with mineral notes.

Cincinnato

On the nose there is a powerful explosion of guava and an aromatic mix of varietal herbal notes complemented with tropical fruits, citrus and stonefruits and a precise minerality. The palate is elegantly proportioned with lovely soft acid carrying the fruit flavours to a very long, mouthwatering finish.

Catalina Sounds

Delicate aromas of vanilla and toast with cherry and eucalyptus. The palate is medium to full body, soft tannins and a long finish

Aromas of honeyed, ripe stone fruit with citrus and lightly spicy notes. The palate is complex with lime, citrus characters balanced by a spicy minerality, structure and length. Showing some development, but with the potential to age for 5 years or more.

Cavit

The Cellar Selection Chardonnay has citrus and nectarine flavours backed up with sweet oak and lees stirred complexity. It is made in an early drinking style, but will comfortably cellar for the next 2-3 years.

Sileni Estate

Sileni's state of the art winery, vinifies grapes using modern and traditional methods which help to produce a dry, refreshing, all round well structured wine. Pale lemony green in colour with a satisfying nose of kiwi, lime, gooseberry, tropical fruits and a touch of grassiness. Whilst the palate displays taut acidity, zingly citrus fruits, gooseberry, stone fruits and minerality.

Sileni Estate

A profusion of sweet ripe fruit with pineapple and golden apple to the fore, as well as an appealing ‘grapiness’. Touches of rosewater and honey and a delicate spiciness add character and interest. Fresh and fragrant on the palate with the fine bubbles lending a creamy texture.

Tenuta Olim Bauda

Made from a blend of Cesanese d’Affile and Cesanese Comune grapes.

Aromas of red berry, cooking spice and underbrush emerge from the glass. The savory palate offers ripe raspberry, clove and white pepper alongside pliant tannins and fresh acidity.

Corte dei Papi

Beautiful, brilliant garnet colour. The nose is fine and delicate with aromas of black fruit, tobacco and vanilla. The palate is generous and smooth, with velvety tannins imparting outstanding balance. The finish is rich yet gentle at the same time, with more oaky flavours on the back of palate. A very fine wine, with all the signs of beautifully ripened grapes and perfectly mastered ageing.

Chateau Gruaud Larose

Beautiful, brilliant garnet colour. The nose is fine and delicate with aromas of black fruit, tobacco and vanilla. The palate is generous and smooth, with velvety tannins imparting outstanding balance. The finish is rich yet gentle at the same time, with more oaky flavours on the back of palate. A very fine wine, with all the signs of beautifully ripened grapes and perfectly mastered ageing.