Browse using the new Vinous website now. Launch →
Cellar Favorite: 1997 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2023
Rewind to the mid-nineties, South Africa is basking in the afterglow of the dissolution of apartheid dissolution and Nelson Mandela’s election as President. After decades of selling wine domestically, South Africa’s wine industry is suddenly exposed to a competitive, global market, often under governmental control. Among a vast ocean of turbo-charged Bordeaux blends, the 1997 Syrah from Boekenhoutskloof is sui generis and becomes one of the Cape’s most iconic, mythical wines.
Half-Century - Not Out: Kanonkop 1973-2015
featured, Verticals & Retrospectives, South Africa
, Jun 2023
Stellenbosch stalwart Kanonkop celebrated a half-century of bottling their own wines with a retrospective tasting in London that traveled all the way back to that historic inaugural vintage.
Cellar Favorite: 2004, 2006 & 2009 Boekenhoutskloof Semillon
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jun 2023
The inspiration for this Cellar Favorite was a sublime bottle of 2006 Semillon from Boekenhoutskloof, Franschhoek’s leading producer.
Vinous Table: Eike, Stellenbosch, South Africa
South Africa, Vinous Table
, Nov 2022
Eike lived up to expectations – the food was just delicious and exhibited just the right amount of flair whilst keeping it “real”.
Growing Up ‘n Getting Wiser: South Africa in 2022
featured, South Africa
, Sep 2022
Returning after lockdown, I sought to take the temperature of South Africa’s ever-changing vinous landscape: walking vineyards, meeting winemakers and marvelling at wines that quicken the pulse. What are the roots of its success? Where are the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead? It’s time to find out.
Cellar Favorite: 1997 & 2009 Kanonkop Paul Sauer
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2022
The secondary market for South Africa’s most desirable top cuvées continues to see increasing numbers of collectors chasing diminishing supply. Buoyant interest in the Cape’s blue chips is a relatively recent phenomenon that has grown organically, pulled by demand rather than forced by supply. One coveted label is Kanonkop’s Paul Sauer.
Cellar Favorite: 2010 & 2011 Porseleinberg
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2022
Porseleinberg leads an impressive and growing fleet of world-class Syrah/Rhône blends from South Africa.
Back In Black: Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage 2006-2019
South Africa featured, featured, Verticals & Retrospectives, South Africa
, Aug 2022
A vertical of South African Pinotage might sound like torture to some. When the wine is the Cape’s greatest Pinotage, then you understand why the room was packed for the first ever complete tasting of Kanonkop’s Black Label and why its owners and winemaker flew over for the occasion.
Cellar Favorite: Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1991-2019
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jul 2022
Winemaker Matt Day, together with co-proprietor Hans Astrom, flew from South Africa recently to present a rare vertical tasting of their Vin de Constance that included the forthcoming 2019 vintage.
Cellar Favorite: 2018 Taaibosch Crescendo
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, May 2022
Whilst up to my neck in Bordeaux primeur samples, one sunny evening during a brief return home for Easter, I took a break from Cabernet and cracked open a South African wine that had been sent to my home, the 2018 Taaibosch Crescendo.