South Africa: New releases

The Terrasse White comes from terraced vineyards, including the old Riverside Chenin Blanc vineyard, planted in 1971, which is also bottled on its own. The Terrasse also has Chenin from two younger vineyards and varying fractions of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, and from 2017 some Roussanne and Marsanne from recently planted vineyards. It’s a white that ages beautifully. This is beautiful perfumed, notes of rose petal and plenty of fresh peach. All about salinity on the finish. Very good indeed.

From a 0.7ha vineyard on a ridge, planted on red clay with a base of granite, the 2016 Steepside Syrah is a floral, perfumed example of the grape, that wouldn’t look out of place in Côte-Rôtie. There’s real drive on the finish, which lasts an age. This is grown up, and brilliant.

Alex is also passionate about the Cabernet Franc produced on the estate, and is making a single vineyard wine, the Pondokrug Cabernet Franc. From deep clay soils, this is an intense, ripe and powerful wine, but one that benefits from Alex’s delicate winemaking. Really savoury, floral, and very delicate, too. Lovely length here. This is outstanding with plenty of tension. Really Cabernet Franc in character, with clear terroir definition.

Planted in 1971, this old vineyard creates a linear Chenin that's all about yellow fruit and texture. There's beautiful floral lift on the finish, and just a hint of anis and rooibos. Brilliantly balanced, and very long.

late harvest Sauvignon Blanc that takes its name from a spring that sits near to the vineyard. Here, raisins are produced by pinching the stem of the grape bunches while they ripen on the vine. The result is a luscious sweet wine, that balances all that sugar with beautiful acidity.

If Steepside is Côte-Rôtie, this is Cornas. Remarkable ferrous depth here, with grippy tannins and real concentration to the core of fruit. Planted on Sandstone soils, this is incredibly deep, intense, and powerful. A superb Syrah, from an impressive producer.

Made from three vineyards: Steepside, Topside and sweetwater. Nice nose, intense, floral and plenty of texture. Love the density here, there's lots of iron oxide with good length. Lovely purity and texture. Excellent tannins, very pure.