Burgundian Pinot, but not at Burgundy prices
Not all good red Burgundy is expensive. Still the pinnacle of Pinot Noir for many, we’ve got a couple of delicious Burgundies for under R1 000 – reds that offer brilliant bang for your buck, rivalling SA wines in terms of value from the heartbreak grape. You couldn’t...
Hamilton Russell pre-release: Pioneering fine wine for 50 years
Hamilton Russell celebrated 50 years of fine wine this year. Their latest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay join just a handful of producers whose wines show this level of world-class consistency. Synonymous with excellence, their labels have defined SA Pinot and Chardonnay,...
Numanthia: ‘Toro wines unlike any other’ – Decanter
Bodega Numanthia has been a driving force in Toro’s rise over the past two decades. Founded in 1998 by the Eguren brothers, when this Spanish region had only eight wineries, they delivered Toro’s first 100-point wine in 2004. Today Numanthia continues to farm parcels...
‘In praise of Kabinett’ – Jancis Robinson. Your naturally low-alcohol summer drink
Mosel Riesling Kabinett: Slightly off-dry and balanced by electric acidity, softened with a touch of sweetness. These wines offer superb value, are naturally low in alcohol (7.5%) and have the ability to age better than most dry wines. ‘They are Germany’s unique...
Neal Martin’s Top-Scoring wines
Neal Martin’s South Africa Report has just been released! With only 42 wines scoring 95+, earning a spot on his top-scoring list is no easy feat. We’ve selected a few of our favourites, creating a 6-bottle pack with some of the highest-scoring and...
Burgundy is back: ‘Yes, I adore the 2023 vintage’ – Neal Martin
‘I cannot remember a Burgundy vintage that elicited so much joy from barrel,’ says Neal Martin of the region’s 2022s. He was equally charmed by the 2023s – praising them for their classicism and immense drinking pleasure. Whether you’re looking for a zesty...
Out of this world value: Spanish bubbles from Raventós i Blanc
Raventós i Blanc boasts one of the longest documented winegrowing traditions in Europe. Vine growers since 1497, they produced Spain’s first traditional-method sparkling wine and have championed the style ever since. The category, made using native varieties, still...
Franco Lourens Wines: A rare Grenache & ‘brilliant’ blends (TA)
‘It’s been a while since I was so excited about the release of a vintage’ – Franco Lourens Franco Lourens deserves your attention. He’s been working on his own wines for a decade, and the latest releases are ‘precise, fresh and represent where they’re from like...
Artuke Tinto 2024: ‘A bargain to buy by the truckload & drink unashamedly’ – WA
Arturo de Miguel makes ‘some of the best reds in Spain’ (Tim Atkin), including the scarce and highly rated La Condenada and El Escolladero. But this red, the Artuke Tinto 2024, is a wine for the people. I tasted it in Paris about a month after bottling and it was...
Just released: Damascene’s thrilling 2024s
This is the seventh release from Damascene – one of the defining voices in South African fine wine. Founded by Jean Smit and David Curl, their aim is to produce the best regional expressions from distinct terroirs across SA. Each bottle is pure, elegant, and destined...
