David joked that one day I would have to sell his extensive wine collection, catalogued on a humungous spreadsheet with all the information you could ever imagine. His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world, and his generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond.
With sadness, but also very fond remembrance, Strauss & Co is honoured to offer a fine collection of wines from the late David Brice private cellar, as part of our annual Rhône-themed sale. For many decades David was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and the co-founder of Wine Cellar – Fine Wine Merchants and Cellarers. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions.
The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Wine Cellar, Observatory, Cape Town. David was one of Richard Burnett’s first cellaring customers at the newly formed Wine Cellar Club in 2001, at the old Prices Candle factory which was established in the 1830s. It was underground and secure, while the temperature was stable, requiring less effort to achieve perfect storage conditions in a country with hot summers. After a short time, Richard realised David’s fastidious wine passion would be useful, and a tremendous partnership and friendship ensued. David insisted on a cold chain from Europe and regular reefers filled with great international wines were sent to Cape Town. Thanks in no small part to his vision, Wine Cellar now stores the largest collection of fine wine in Africa, currently around 600,000 bottles, and with more than 35 wine-savvy staff, are leaders in the fine wine market.
I met David more than 2 decades ago and his knowledge and passion for wines was contagious and rather unique in South Africa. I remember attending a tasting David presented of the newly imported 2002 Bordeaux vintage, at Carolines Fine Wine. The tasting was on another level, and my first experience of benchmark fine wine and the business around it. David hired me in 2005, and it was no doubt a pivotal moment in my career.
Having travelled internationally as an engineer, David loved food and wine and was always on the hunt for the best restaurant experiences and most delicious wines. Often visiting the cellar to decant his dinner accompaniments, he would let us all taste mature wines from around the world, often served blind. He hosted many dinners at his house in Hermanus and at Wine Cellar, always serving mature and exciting wines with delicious food. On another generous occasion, David personally paid half my ticket to a Romanée Conti 1995 horizontal (a full month’s salary) which was among the greatest wine experiences I have ever had.
The Rhône Valley was one of David’s favoured regions, known for its diverse range of reds and whites, which, because of their history and terroir, are generally very authentic and great value. The Northern Rhône is more continental, dominated by Syrah and more detailed, somewhat cooler wines. The South is planted mostly with Grenache (red and white) and is more Mediterranean-like with much hotter summers. The Rhône offers quintessential French wines that are savoury yet sweet-fruited and excellent with, or without, food.
David also loved the top vintages, and the collection includes benchmarks such as 2007, 2010 and 2015. Often riper and richer, these bigger vintages have immense power and longevity. But the lesser-regarded vintages also have their charm and often offer more character. Styles can vary from modern, with riper fruit and higher alcohols, to fully traditional and more delicate wines. Many of the producers in the collection are not available in South Africa and these mature vintages provide an excellent buying opportunity.
History and Charm
The Rhône Valley has been producing wine for over 2,500 years, making it one of the world’s oldest viticultural regions! Developing much like Burgundy three hours to the north, the Romans conquered the area and significantly expanded wine production, making famous areas such as Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage. In the Middle Ages, the Benedictines preserved and advanced viticulture amid invasions and instability, while the 14th century Papal residency in Avignon boosted the Southern Rhône, leading to the fame of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The 19th century phylloxera outbreak was devastating and turned much of the region into subsistence farming. The recovery was swift and the 20th century saw the establishment of Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) systems. This was the first wine law in France, but today the region still holds traditional, rural charm. On my first visit to the Rhône Valley for instance, I was taken aback by how some of the top producers didn’t speak English and sometimes, like in the case of Chateau Rayas, didn’t encourage visitors. Legend has it that even Jancis Robinson was denied an appointment to this now-cult Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer.
The Wines
One of the most famous hills in the world is that of Hermitage, hanging over the Rhône River in the town of Tain in the north. Very steep, rocky slopes where grapes shouldn’t frankly grow, produce beguiling, towering wines that age for decades. Both white and red are profound, with M.Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante Alouette (Marsanne Grape) being one of my favourites; an electric wine with incredible flavour and depth.
Much like Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie is strewn with small parcels of precious Syrah, all with their unique character. Domaine Jamet is regarded as the leader in the appellation and it has been a favourite since tasting the classic 2004. The wines are fragrant and pure, with more precision than their neighbours. Look out for the Côtes-du-Rhône from Jamet which is often considered a baby-Rôtie, made from younger vines.
Condrieu sits inside Côte-Rôtie and is only planted with Viognier. The wines are textured, but amazingly fragrant and rich, and the famous name of E. Guigal offers an exceptional Condrieu La Doriane. Also look out for Michel & Stéphane Ogier’s Viognier de Rosine situated between Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu and offering superb value.
Cornas is a tiny, almost backward little village, where the Syrahs are savoury and tannic, needing time to show best. While Auguste Clape and their traditional wines are the leaders, Domaine Courbis and others are very fine, layered Syrahs for the long-haul.
The rugged, rocky Saint-Joseph appellation produces gritty, mineral wines and when bordering Côte-Rôtie, they can be just as beautiful. André Perret Saint-Joseph Les Grisières is my pick, an old vine powerhouse that can humble the very best in the Rhône.
Crozes-Hermitage is one of my favourite appellations, producing quintessential Syrah with its savoury notes of olive and cured meat. Alain Graillot has been the star since the 1980s, uplifting the region. The Graillot vineyards on the flats below and around Hermitage hill produce consistently excellent, long-term wines. I was honoured to know Alain well and he enjoyed visiting South Africa.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the most revered region in the South, where Grenache can reach another level of concentration and power. Known for more Robert Parker 100/100 scores than any other region, even the more traditional producers can achieve alcohols of 16%. These heady wines can be beautifully balanced and nuanced too, and my favourites in his collection is the Vieux Telegraph (Magnums too) and Clos des Papes. Grand Veneur and Le Clos du Caillou are also very highly regarded and well-priced.
Côtes du Rhône is the second biggest appellation in France behind Bordeaux and offers a wide range of wines from supermarket to investment worthy. When produced by the top producers, these punch well above their weight. JL Chave Sélection Mon Coeur, la Vieille Julienne Liet dit Clavin and Coudoulet de Beaucastel are superb wines and great value.
Gigondas and Vacqueyras are rather similar although Gigondas is usually more refined and sweet-fruited. With similar terroir and styling, these are no-brainers for Châteauneuf-du-Pape-lovers. Saint Cosme produces epic Gigondas while the Clos des Cazaux magnums will be a knockout at your next wine gathering.
Rasteau, Vinsobres and Ventoux are under-the-radar appellations each with their own prestige and charm. Rasteau is known for its spicy ripe wines, and erudite producers such as Jerome Bressy’s Gourt de Mautens, is one of my all-time favourite winery visits. Vinsobres offers ridiculous value Grenache-based wines, while the Ventoux on its limestone slopes offers more finesse and fragrance. Look out for the huge value in Famille Perrin Les Hauts de Julien, produced from 90-year-old vines.
With the rise of South African wines in the last few decades, David started collecting the best local Syrah and Rhône-style wines alike. Swartland greats from Porseleinberg, Mullineux and Leeuwenkuil were some of his favourites and are available in top vintages.
Two other sessions offer even more depth to this year’s Strauss & Co Rhône-themed sale. https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/details/497-28-jan-2026
Please contact me on roland@winecellar.co.za for any questions on the wines, and raise a glass to David Brice and his contagious love for wine!
Roland Peens, February 2026
