The wines of South Africa

Jordan Vineyards, Stellenbosch

A true family affair, the Jordan winery is owned and run by husband and wife winemakers, Gary and Kathy Jordan. One of the few wineries which produces consistently high quality wines across the whole range of grape varieties, we are particularly impressed by the Cobblers Hill, only produced in small quantities but a crowning glory of the Jordans winemaking skills. Its white partner, Nine Yards, is a revelation, there is so little available that we are the only importers to the UK. We send a special thanks to Richard Marriott of Gilpin Lodge who alerted us to this wine after he visited the Jordans recently.

Chameleon

Jordan's modern and exciting estate blends

Bradgate

An offshoot of the Jordan empire made from young vines and giving an insight into the quality this brilliant estate offers.

Barton Vineyards, Walker Bay

The Neill family purchased Barton Vineyards in 2001. Since then they have built a new cellar which was finished in time for the 2008 vintage. The Chenin is unoaked and has delicious flavours of pear and apricot on the palate. The excellent Sauvignon is grown at 160 metres altitude where the cooling breezes help the development of fine acidity and depth with European style depth. The rosé is a new departure, deeply coloured and full bodied it has a rich, plummy character. The red blend takes advantage of ripe fruit flavours and generous, well structured tannins.

The Barton Estates are home to the endangered Blue Crane, two breeding pairs inhabit the vineyards and the Neill's make contributions from their sales to the Overburg Blue Crane Group, a conservation project and hence their logo.

Klippenkop

Good value, no nonsense, bursting with fruit and delightfully fresh, the Klippenkop wines are easy to drink and thoroughly enjoyable.

Bon Cap Estate, Robertson

This organic winery gives us some fine varietals. The smooth and fresh Chardonnay Viognier has a succulent rounded character. The charming Pinotage is a supple, mellow red.

Weltevrede, Robertson Valley

A super small winery with an attractive Gewurztraminer displaying gentle rose petal aromas and honeyed fruit character. As we are suckers for good dessert wines we also have taken some of their outstanding fortified Cape Muscat and the lighter, riper golden Muscat.

Warwick Estate, Stellenbosch

Lauded as one of South Africa’s best, Mike Warwick is the next generation charged with taking Warwick to new heights. With a fine, oaked Chardonnay, ubiquitous Pinotage (one of the best we have tasted) and Trilogy, a Bordeaux blend displays real depth and concentration of flavours. Their individual Three Cape Ladies is unmissable.

Horse Mountain, Paarl

A former dairy farm this is the first commercially available wine and is stunning. There will be other wines to follow.

Lammershoek, Swartland

A small estate whose wines offer depth and richness, but capture the oft elusive elegance which top class wines need. This Roulette Rouge is a Chateauneuf inspired blend of Shiraz, Grenache, Carignan and importantly some Viognier to round off the finish, the Roulette Blanc is white varietals including Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier.

Tierhoek, Piekenierskloof

Since the sad loss of Tony Sandell, his wife Shellley has taken over running this estate organic, she is also fair trade registered. Social ethos apart, this is a stunning Chenin Blanc produced from his remote Piekenierskloof vineyards. Concentrated in flavour because of the low yielding old vines this wine essentially makes itself from its own indidgenous yeasts!

Quando, Robertson

Only 1000 cases of this zesty, minerally white are produced each vintage by Fanus and Martin Bruwer. Originally just growers, selling most of their harvest to larger concerns the quality of their produce led friends to ask when they would make their own wine, hence quando as the name.

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