The superb Bruwer Vintners Liberté 2021 was the highlight of both our Cape Town and Johannesburg tastings last week – it’s ‘irresistibly drinkable’, says Christian Eedes. From Terre Nere in Sicily, the 96-point Guardiola 2020 is ‘one of my favorite Etna wines,’ enthuses Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate, while the Oeil de Perdrix Extra Brut Rosé from Champagne Dehours is an absolute joy to drink. Look to Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2021 for a cellar-worthy Bordeaux-style white from one of the best recent SA vintages, and we end off with the Draaiboek Onskuld Chardonnay 2022, which will ‘undoubtedly appeal to connoisseurs of fine white Burgundy’ (Greg Sherwood MW).
Bruwer Vintners Liberté 2021
R375 PER BOTTLE
To our mind, Bruwer Vintners’ Liberté 2021 is the current benchmark for New Wave Pinotage. It has quality tannins that rival a Langhe Nebbiolo as well as incredible savoury freshness. Made in a lighter style, with less new oak and a focus on earlier picking, this wine shows the prowess of the excellent 2021 vintage.
Terre Nere Etna Rosso Guardiola 2020
R 700 PER BOTTLE
Terre Nere makes some of the most mind-bending wines from high-elevation slopes atop Etna’s active volcano – dubbed the ‘Burgundy of the Mediterranean’. Grab the last of their ‘formidable’ (Vinous) Guardiola Etna Rosso 2020. Showcasing a chiselled structure and delineated red berry fruit, it boasts alluring baking spice, ash-scented firm tannins, and an exhilarating finish.
Dehours Oeil de Perdrix Extra Brut Rosé NV
R 955 PER BOTTLE
‘Spellbinding, exquisite, and ethereal’ are just a few of the descriptors Antonio Galloni of Vinous uses for the Dehours Oeil de Perdrix Extra Brut Rosé NV. Made up of 74% Meunier, 15% Chardonnay and 11% a perpetual reserve that goes back to 1989, this Meunier specialist makes rich yet delicate Champagne. We love the textural intensity and aromatic clarity of Dehours.
Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2021
R 340 PER BOTTLE
If you’re looking for a Bordeaux-style white that will age for the next two decades – this is it! The Director’s Reserve offers complex aromatics of white stone fruit, oak spice and tangerine rind. The palate is long, pithy and elegant with unbelievable persistence. One for the cellar!
Draaiboek Wines Onskuld Chardonnay 2022
R 430 PER BOTTLE
With double 95 points from Platter’s Guide and Greg Sherwood MW, this is a must for every Chardonnay lover. Flinty reduction and perfectly judged oak with lots of lime zest and salinity make this wine so rewarding. It’s aromatically inviting – think white nectarine, pears and oak spice with focus and detail on the palate.
