South Africa: New releases

One of the most underrated wines on our list, this is a blend of 10 varieties that ages spectacularly. Pithy, textured, with brilliant volume, it’s a white that you really have to discover.

Shiraz 58%, Cinsault 14%, Tinta Barocca 14%, Mourvèdre 9%, Grenache Noir 5%. The 16th release of this benchmark red, that’s smoky, intense, and finely structured. A real stunner, from a great vintage, you’ll want to let this age.

Tinta Barocca is one of the great grapes of the Swartland, and this comes from a single vineyard planted in 1966. Floral and intense, and almost bloody in character, this is remarkably well balanced, and very long indeed.

From the vineyard next to the cellar - Kelder in Afrikaans - this is as bright and energetic a Chenin Blanc as you’ll find. Volumes are miniscule, and the vines were planted in 1972. Floral and intense.

Planted in 1954, this old block of Cinsault gives an intense and refined expression of the grape. There’s real energy here, and there’s also notes of fynbos, negroni, and very fine but almost Nebbiolo-like tannins.

From a vineyard planted in 1968 at the entrance to Adi’s property, this has lots of yellow fruit and an almost tropical note, but remains taut and mineral on the finish.

From a vineyard planted in the 1940s, which also provides Eben’s Skerpioen, this is a saline, pithy, long, delicious white that’s one of Adi’s hidden gems.

Fewer than 1500 bottles are made of this, from a vineyard planted in 1966. This is intense and vibrant, and there’s so much concentration and depth of flavour. A brilliant Chenin Blanc.

Miniscule production here - just 800 kg of grapes or so come from this wall-surrounded vineyard, planted in 1963. It’s savoury and spicy, with notes of ginger and rooibos. This is intense and stunningly pure.

The style that Andre has made his own, this is an ageworthy white, with lots of bright yellow fruit, a savoury character to the palate, and also lots of energy. This is surely a match for Andre's old baby, the GVB from Vergelegen.

A Malbec that comes from Keermont’s vineyards, and named in honour of Alex Starey, this is such a joyful wine. Juicy and intense, with lots of blue and black fruit, and also simply brilliant freshness. A delight.

A Cabernet Sauvignon from the high-altitude, cool Ceres plateau, this has so much going for hit. There’s just a hint of greenness, but that gives this lift and life. It’s a cool-climate Cabernet that offers incredible value for money.

Verdelho from the Helderberg, this takes its name from the Vulture, as in its early years Pieter had to hang around and wait for others to take their fill before he could access the vineyard. Now his grapes are more secure, and this is always a favourite: a wine all about texture, length, and definition.

The first release of this Chardonnay, from just four rows of a Chardonnay vineyard on the Helderberg. This is grippy and fine boned, with lots of ginger spice, and also a lot of freshness on the finish.

100% merlot from Stellenbosch, this blew us away when we tried it in February. From a vineyard on the Simonsberg, this has notes of blueberries, and then also lots of violet character, and a charming, saline, mineral finish. Brilliant.Just 902 bottles made.

From the vineyard we’ve come to know and love for Retirement at 65, this is a pure Cinsault. It’s delicate in colour, but there’s so much intensity and vitality here. Notes of rose petal, and also a core of spice. Charming.

Grenache blanc, Verdelho, Grenache Gris and other bits and pieces, all sourced from the Voor-Paardeberg, this is a delicious mediterranean-inspired blend, that has so much savoury, herbal character, with pith, and long finish. We’re fascinated to see how this ages.

Is this the best Syrah that Boekenhoutskloof have made? Surely a worthy successor to the legendary 1997: this gets better and better under Gottfried's management. Now 90% from Porseleinberg's blue schist soils, and 10% from Goldmine's brown schist, this has astonishing aromatics, with wild flowers and pure fruit, and the palate is so refined and elegant. There's minerality on the finish, which lasts for minutes. This is undoubtedly a match for the world's greatest Syrahs.

Mainly Grenache, with around a third Syrah, this is made in a fresh, lifted style, for easy drinking. It's inexpensive and easy to approach, with red berries, cherries, pepper and rose. It gives a lot of bang for your buck.

A blend of parcels of younger vines, from the Swartland's Malmesbury Hills and the Paardeberg, as well as sites throughout Stellenbosch. 2022's selection also meant that some serious old vine fruit made it into the blend, making it even better than usual. Complex yet approachable, this is the best example yet.

54% Grenache, with less Syrah than usual, this red blend has lots of focus, very fine tannins, and a long, fynbos-infused finish. Very nicely judged, charming, and already approachable.

From five vineyards in the Swartland, this has lots of Thyme and Pomegranate notes, with wild strawberries and lots of focus, too. There’s tension and salinity, and a long and pure finish. Beautifully done.

A blend of nine varieties, this gives a lovely impression of the vintage. There are notes of pineapple and peach, as well as plenty of spice and herbal notes. Beautifully complex, but also refreshing and approachable, this is a lovely white wine.

From eight vineyards, including the four single vineyards, from across the Swartland. A lovely wash of fruit here, with notes of fresh honey and hay. There’s a power and purity to the palate, and there’s also real grip and salinity. This will age brilliantly. A bargain.