South Africa 2021

From five sites in the Swartland, this might just be the best pick in the entire range. It’s a wine that works on different levels: it’s easy drinking and very approachable, with pure fruit and mouth watering freshness. But there’s also a complexity and purity here that marks out the Cape’s very best Chenin Blancs.

The most improved wine in the cellar, this is a really lovely Cabernet Franc. From shale and sandstone, there’s lovely red fruited perfume as well as plenty of energy on the finish. This is incredibly well balanced.

As the name might suggest, this from Elgin and Botrivier fruit was all fermented and then left in amphorae. It’s nicely textured, with grapefruit purity, and loads of salinity on the palate. A really delicious Sauvignon Blanc.

From vines that are reaching a good level of maturity, this is a really impressive Syrah from Peter-Allan. Lavender and liquorice, and blackberry fruit mark out a wine that balances the warmth of the site and delicate winemaking. Outstanding.

Just the second vintage, and produced in miniscule quantities, this is floral and lifted, with lovely purity of fruit, and a juicy, fine-boned finish. Serve this at cellar temperature for a totally delicious Syrah.