South Africa: New releases

The story of Retirement @ 65 is now well known: it’s one of our favourite wines from Pieter. It was a Cinsault vineyard which only started to be productive at 65 years of age, thanks to Pieter’s efforts to outsmart the baboons, sheep, and birds that would always come and eat the grapes. An old vineyard Cinsault, from the same farm as Duncan Savage’s Follow the Line, this is so complex and delicious, with an added savouriness and complexity to it. Brilliant in 2021.

The Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon blew us away when we tasted it this year. From three vineyards on the Helderberg, and one on the granite of the Polkedraai, this has floral lift and dark cassis, and then just a hint of dried thyme and black olive. It’s a new benchmark for this wine: it’s not to be missed. A match for cru classé Bordeaux, without a doubt.

One of South Africa's most legendary wines. This has so much intensity and power, but remains refined and wonderfully balanced. Notes of mulberry and ripe plum, and also graphite and leather. This is so long, stony, and refined. It will make old bones.

From a North-East facing vineyard, this is all about intense fruit and spice. There’s a floral element here that wouldn’t look out of place in the best Côte-Rôties, and there’s also remarkable fruit purity. This is so long and fine boned. Brilliant.

Much more savoury and structured than the steepside, this is much more Cornas to Steepside’s Côte-Rôtie. The palate has notes of lavender and other herbs, and there’s also loads of bloody notes. From a vineyard that sees no morning sun, it’s no surprise that it’s so savoury and complex. This will age spectacularly.

The second wine of Anwilka. This is nicely juicy, with real energy and there’s good grip on the palate. An excellent value wine from the team behind Anwilka.

This is a real contender for South Africa’s finest Grenache. She calls Grenache “South Africa’s Pinot Noir”, and is always looking to make as elegant and precise an example as possible: this comes in at just 13.5% abv, yet is perfectly ripe. It comes mainly froma farm on the Paardeberg, next to Eben Sadie’s farm, with a drop of Voor Paardeberg and Bot Rivier fruit in 2018, from young vines and carefully selected clones.

A wine with an amazing story, where the proceeds go to helping the workers on Johan Reyneke's farm, this Bordeaux blend is classically styled, with just enough South African energy. It's a total bargain: this with a barbecue (or a Braai!) will be heaven.

A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot, with 30% new oak, this is a brilliant Stellenbosch Bordeaux blend. Cornerstone refers to the project whereby Johan supports his workers by buying them houses, and this wine lives up to the project. Long, intense, yet still lifted, it's a lovely wine.

A Bordeaux blend with a little Syrah and Sangiovese, this is a really charming, approachable wine from Schalk and his team. Notes of morello cherry, and also plenty of cinnamon and clove spice. Just delicious, and great value.

The 2019 Taaibosch Crescendo is a Cabernet Franc led blend, that's utterly stunning in its second vintage. This has floral lift, plenty of body, and a lovely, saline, long, expressive finish. Delicious: this will age brilliantly, too.