South Africa

Region: South Africa, Paarl

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Tasting notes: This Sauvignon Blanc smacks of rich passion fruit and other tropical flavours which are well balanced by a fresh grassy edge and summer freshness is provided by a crisp acidity. The Flutterby range has recently been added to SAA’s prestigious in-flight wine list.

On the palate this wine presents tropical litchi and fresh fruit aromas with integrated green pea and ripe fig flavours. The wine delivers a good ripe fruit expression with a smooth crisp finish.

This Sauvignon Blanc is bursting with rich passionfruit and fresh tropical fruit flavours, this is nicely balanced by a fresh grassy edge and crisp acidity.

Region: South Africa, Paarl

Grape variety: Merlot

Tasting notes: This beautiful red wine is dominated by rich black berried fruit wrapped in soft tannins that gives a silky mouthfeel. Gentle oak ageing provides a further layer of flavour and complexity.

Region: South Africa, Paarl

Grape variety: Pinotage

Background: Coffee-style Pinotage is a unique and proudly South African innovation. The combination of well toasted oak for a few months and the characteristic Pinotage fruit flavours, create a style of red wine that has richly layered coffee and chocolate flavours, balanced by ripe red berry fruit. This style has attracted an enormous following in South Africa and abroad in recent years. Hence the name being a play on the words pinotage and cappuccino, the espresso-based coffee drink originating from Italy.

Tasting notes: Cappuccino by name, Cappuccino by nature. Michelangelo Awards – Double Gold and the Toneleria Nacional. (Coffee style Pinotage)

This wine displays layers of dark prune, plum and ripe blueberry flavours, with a prominent toasted French oak finish, reminiscent of Mocha Java ground coffee. Due to the careful extraction of Pinotage fruit flavours, the oak is well integrated and delivers a wine with a delightfully smooth and lingering finish.

Award: Platters 2023 - 3 stars

Region: South Africa, Paarl

Grape variety: Chenin Blanc

Background: The cellar’s signature variety, Chenin Blanc, is sourced from old vineyard blocks of bush-vines from the northern Paardeberg region where small yields are harvested in mid to late February from partially water-stressed vines. The shale and granite soils play an important role in imparting structure and minerality to this complex wine. These old vines are well adapted and fairly resistant to strong winds and hot conditions.

Tasting notes: Tropical peach and apricot pungency. The palate packs still more of a peachy punch with a creamy texture too. Somewhat fuller bodied than most, there’s a pineapple acid tang to it too. Well made with good length.

This wine shows exceptional Chenin Blanc expression and elegance in a ripe and complex style. The seamless harmony of ripe melons and stone fruit with hints of tropical flavours blend together with creamy ripe textures, creating a wine of distinction and elegance.

Region: South Africa, Paarl

Grape variety: Shiraz

Background: Old vineyard blocks of bush and trellised vines are situated in the northern area of Paarl where the soil and climatic conditions are ideal for premium Shiraz, Boland Cellar’s signature red grape variety. Deep red, well-drained Hutton soils situated further away from the coastal areas produce dark wines which are full-bodied and richly structured. The intense dark Shiraz grapes, produced in these conditions, are ideally suited to make complex wines with lengthy barrel maturation. The grapes are hand-picked in the middle of the harvest season, usually before the end of February.

Tasting notes: This finely crafted wine expresses exceptional Shiraz attributes with richly structured ripe black cherry and blackcurrants as well as ripe plums. A bold wine with complexity and intensity, this Shiraz Reserve offers black pepper spice with savoury notes, combined with balanced and integrated oak nuances.

Region: South Africa, Paarl

Grape variety: Chenin Blanc

Tasting notes: This is a typical fresh, crisp, fruity style of wine that is masterfully blended from Chenin Blanc grapes ripened in different climate conditions. Presenting layers of lime, citrus and fresh guava aromas.

Region: South Africa, Paarl

Grape variety: Chardonnay

Background: The vineyards are situated in the surrounding Paarl and cooler Coastal regions. Chardonnay vines prefer colder winter temperatures and are planted on the lower south-facing slopes. Chardonnay grapes ripen in the early to mid-harvest season, producing grapes with crisp acidity and firm fruit structure. The combination of selected vineyards and the use of different planting clones are intended to add complexity and character to the final blend.

Tasting notes: A very pure style of Chardonnay with no oak and showing hints of Chablis.

This Chardonnay expresses flavours of fresh citrus, pineapple and tropical notes. An elegant unwooded wine which reflects this varietal in a fresh, ripe and crisp style.

Region: South Africa, Tulbagh

Grape variety: Pinotage

Winemaking process: Grapes were night-harvested, picked by hand to retain flavours. A 48-hour cold maceration period was given prior to fermentation to extract colour and fruit. Extraction during fermentation took place by pumping the juice over the skins 3 times per day. Skins were gently pressed before fermented dry. MLF took place in barrels. Matured for 20 months in 20% 2nd fill, 40% 3rd fill, and 40% 4th fill French oak barrels.

Tasting notes: Aromas of cranberry and subtle hints of mulberry and vanilla spice. The lively palate is rich and creamy and finishes with smooth and well-matured tannins.

Intense dark red coloured wine. Aromas of black currant and mulberry, with underlying cherry and fynbos nuances on the nose. These diverse aromas carry through onto a rich, velvety, complex palate supported by layers of well-rounded tannins. The gentle presence of oak on the nose and palate supports this delicious Pinotage.

Region: South Africa, Tulbagh

Grape variety: Chenin Blanc

Winemaking process: Grapes were night harvested and picked by hand to retain flavours. Grapes were gently crushed and pressed. Wine was cold fermented to show freshness and fruit, but kept on the lees for 11 months to give the wine a creamy mouth-feel. 25% of barrel-fermented wine was blended with the tank-fermented portion (75%) to add a wooded dimension.

Tasting notes: Stone-fruit aromas dominate the nose with hints of citrus, quince and pine nut.

A beautiful bouquet of lime, grapefruit and Granny Smith Apples. The palate is perfectly balanced with a layered, creamy palate of orange, white peaches and tropical fruit. Excellent ageing potential and superb versatility with a wide variety of dishes complete this irresistible package. The subtle use of oak helps to uplift the fruity characters of this versatile cultivar.

Region: South Africa, Tulbagh

Grape variety: Pinotage

Background: Special Reserve selection from 15 of the finest barrels.

Winemaking process: Grapes were night harvested and picked by hand to retain flavours. A 48-hour cold maceration period was given prior to fermentation to extract colour and fruit. Extraction during fermentation took place by doing manual punch downs 3 times per day. Skins were gently pressed before fermented dry. MLF took place in barrels, after which it was matured for 22 months in 60% new and 40% 2nd fill French oak barrels. This wine was made by blending a strict selection of the finest 20 barrels.

Tasting notes: This wine has a multi-layered fruit spectrum, which ranges from ripe red fruit aromas to spicy elegance and a blackberry richness. These expressive aromas carry through onto a rich, creamy palate where it lingers for moments after. The 2016 shows the power of the vintage, without compromising elegance and finesse. Silky, well-integrated and graphite tannins ensure excellent longevity.

Region: South Africa, Tulbagh

Grape variety: Chenin Blanc

Winemaking process: Grapes were night harvested and picked by hand to retain flavours. Grapes were gently crushed and pressed. This wine was fermented in 40% new, 40% 2nd fill and 20% 3rd fill 300 litre French oak barrels. This wine was 80% naturally fermented. A maturation period of 12 months was needed before this wine could be racked and blended.

Tasting notes: Golden hued colour. Attractive complex nose with aromas of ripe melon and grapefruit, with a honey undertone.

Golden hued and full bodied. This beautifully made wine has an attractive nose with combinations of tropical and yellow fruit aromas with nuances of cashew nuts. These flavours are supported on the palate by a delicate use of oak that allows the true cultivar characteristics to shine. It has a long lingering finish that exits the palate screaming for more.

Region: South Africa, Tulbagh

Grape variety: Pinotage

Winemaking process: Grapes were night harvested and picked by hand to retain flavours. A 48-hour cold maceration period was given prior to fermentation to extract colour and fruit. Extraction during fermentation took place by doing manual punch downs 3 times per day. Skins were gently pressed before fermented dry. MLF took place in barrels. Matured for 22 months in 60% French and 40% American oak barrels. A total of 40% new, 30% 2nd fill and 30% 3rd fill barrels were used for ageing.

Tasting notes: This dark red coloured wine has elegant red fruit aromas of cherry, strawberry and cranberry on the nose.

This deep coloured wine shows intense black cherry, red current and slight notes of cloves on the nose. Beautiful floral tones followed by layers of dark fruits and sweet tobacco. The palate is balanced between a dense core of fruit, bright acidity and fine tannins. The finish is long and pure with delicate wood spice rounding off this exceptional Pinotage.

Region: South Africa, Tulbagh

Grape variety: Chenin Blanc

Winemaking process: Grapes were night harvested and picked by hand to retain flavours. Grapes were gently crushed and pressed. 30% of the wine was cold fermented in tank to retain freshness and fruit, and 70% was fermented in French and Hungarian 300 litre barrels. 40% was fermented with natural yeast. The wine was then aged for 11 months, blended and then bottled.

Tasting notes: Elegance, finesse, complexity and concentration of fruit – full bodied.

This wine has intense yellow fruit aromas of peach, nectarines and orange blossoms. These aromas carry through onto a creamy palate that finishes with a lively acidity with hints of ginger and a leesy complexity. Excellent ageing potential and superb versatility with a wide variety of dishes complete this irresistible package.

Region: Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa

Grape Variety:  Chardonnay

Tasting Notes: An expression of generous lemon-citrus aromas, almonds, green apple, delicate pear and melon notes. This Chardonnay shows a sincerely intriguing and elegant nose with an inviting and open mouthfeel, supported by crisp natural fruit acid, finely grained tannins, soft oak spice and floral undertones.

Ripe blackberry and cherry aromas follow through onto the palate, framing mint and dark chocolate complexity.

Fine silky rounded tannins and delightfully lively pomegranate-like acidity contribute to the volume and weight of fruit exploding across the palate, lending tremendous depth and length of flavour.

Region: Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa

Grape Variety: Chardonnay

Tasting Notes: Abundant with complex aromas of citrus, white peach, fragrant spices and buttered toast. Tantalising and distinctive lime and lemon, green apple and peach stone fruit notes evolve on the mid-palate, which follow through to an extended aftertaste. Evoking its quartz soil identity, the discreet midpalate minerality lends a further dimension to a captivating wine.

A bold, concentrated, powerfully polished Cabernet, to be a timeless reflection of the most admired of the noble varietals.

The nose shows layers of dark berries, ripe blackcurrant, mint and hints of chocolate, whilst the full body is sure to impress.

A solidly serious and age-worthy wine grown on the slopes of the Simonsberg