South Africa 2021

For Lukas, a good glass of Cinsaut should be like jumping into weightlessness, shouting Geronimo. This comes predominantly from 40+ year old vines on the Helderberg, and is one of our favourite Cinsauts from South Africa. Floral and fine, with citrus lift and real salinity, it's an absolute beauty. Slightly chilled, it's ready to go right away - but it will surely age brilliantly, too.

The 2020 Trust your gut is absolutely gorgeous. Floral, perfumed and wonderfully lifted, there's a core of grapefruit and elderflower, as well as greengage and yellow plum, and then leesy complexity on the palate. There's such drive on the finish, from the Paardeberg fruit, and then a peacock's tail of flavours emerges. Remarkable, and for this price a must-buy.

Lukas van Loggerenberg lamented the lack of a rosé culture in South Africa. And so he decided to do something about it. This comes from Cinsault vines, from the closest vineyard to the southern ocean in Stellenbosch, on the sandy soils of the lower slopes of the Helderberg. More akin to top Bandol rosé than easier, quaffing styles, it’s saline, savoury, and totally beguiling. A total bargain at this price.

Lukas is a huge fan of Loire Cabernet Franc, and the Breton is definitely more in this style than most examples from the country. The 2020 is perfumed, with notes of violets and a minty lift, while the palate is silky, saline, and very long indeed. It's from the Polkedraai, from the estate where Lukas lives, and the wine is the hidden gem of his range. Not to be missed.

The 2020 Graft, Syrah from the Polkedraai, is a wonderfully pure, peppery expression of Syrah. There's high-toned fruit that's lifted and floral, and then there's silky tannins and plenty of freshly ground pepper on the finish. Really suave and cool, this is one of SA's best Syrahs.