South Africa
At the bottom of its great continent, South Africa is a country of unlimited natural advantages. With the confluence of two oceans at the Cape, the sheltering effect of inland mountain chains and some of the most dynamic soils in the world, every piece is in place for the production of fine wine. The most well-known region has historically been Stellenbosch, but it is the wines of Swartland that have really turned South African wine on its head in recent years.
The wine industry is in the midst of a renaissance with classically styled wines making full advantage of remarkable terroir and an adventurous spirit. As a result, South Africa is producing some truly exceptional wines of great character and value. Striking blockbuster Syrahs and Bordeaux blends to full bodied Chardonnay and crisp Sauvignon Blanc are some of this great nation’s offerings. South Africa’s own grape, Pinotage, leaves critics divided yet can produce excellent single-variety offerings as well as distinguished Cape blends.
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South Africa
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Coastal Region | 1 | 90 (VN) |
Inc. GST
SG$233.70 |
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Vinous (90)The 2017 Man In The Moon comes from a block of Clairette Blanche that is shared with Craven, the vines 30 years old, and matured in used oak. It has a refulgent straw color with fat tears. The generous bouquet features yellow plum, nectarine, candle wax and light vervain tea aromas. The palate is quite phenolic on the entry, well balanced with a waxy texture and resinous in style; ginger and light pepper notes emerge toward the finish. More tactile than overt in fruit, this is a left-field wine from John Seccombe, one I feel is well made and fascinating. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95+ (GS) |
Inc. GST
SG$432.12 |
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Greg Sherwood MW (95+)This really is a sensational expression from Andre and the team at Vergelegen. A blend of 20% Sauvignon and 80% Semillon, this wine screams premium white Bordeaux from the minute you smell the alluring aromatics. All the classical white Bordeaux hallmark notes are there including a crunchy white citrus, grapefruit zest, pineapple pastille fruits, lime peel, dried coconut and reductive hints of black currant and vinyl. The palate is broad and powerful with a leading edge of sweet and sour grapefruit acidity, tangerine juice, green mango flesh and white citrus fruit intensity. Slightly pithy with hints of dried grass, this wine is a never ending profusion of fruit concentration, minerality and dried herb complexity all knitted together in a very tight, intense, classical package. This wine would go down an absolute treat blind with the Bordelaise producers in the Graves or Pessac-Leognan. With pyrazines well and truly conquered in this wine, this expression is lined up for a long and successful ageing period. Drink from release and for another 12 to 15+ years. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. GST
SG$392.90 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Reviewed alongside the 2018 release as they are both on the market, this is Semillon dominated with 40% Sauvignon Blanc. Barrel-aged in one-third new oak, it has flinty, struck match aromas, stylish wood spice, notes of lanolin and grapefruit and a pithy, refreshing finish. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. GST
SG$287.15 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Every bit as good as the 2017, even though the vintage is less celebrated, this is an equal marriage of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc with an even lower pH. Grapefruit and elderflower flavours combine appealingly with the stylish vanilla oak, embellished by a herbal undertone. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. GST
SG$265.37 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Proof the remarkable ageing potential of Vergelegen's flagship white wine - and it's only just settling into its stride - this is a gloriously complex blend of Sauvignon Blanc and 36% Semillon, with appealing freshness and zip, good focus, a salty undertone and flavours of grapefruit, gooseberry and fresh toast. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 18 (JR) |
Inc. GST
SG$291.49 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)Tasted blind. Blackcurrant pastilles on the really interesting, sophisticated nose. Some savoury inkiness and lots of pleasure. Firm and confident and set for the long term. Lots there with tannin evident only on the end for future development. Long. This is the first wine that reminds me of ambitious bordeaux … luscious – a sort of right-bank style. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 93 (WA) |
Inc. GST
SG$1,166.78 |
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Wine Advocate (93)Showing much better is the 2006 “V” that demonstrates a little more opulence and fruit intensity on the nose with ripe blackberry, raspberry, sloe and cedar with good definition. The palate has firm chalky tannins and a good sense of tension, a citrus-like acidity towards the long poised finish. This has great potential, but again it deserves time in the cellar. Drink 2014-2022. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. GST
SG$1,130.79 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Made as a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon since 2008, this is the top red at Vergelegen and demonstrates André van Rensburg’s mastery of the variety. It’s a focused, classically proportioned red, combining freshness with concentration, suppleness with structure. Aromatic and refined, it has plenty more to give. |
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Coastal Region | 3 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. GST
SG$1,026.17 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)First made in 2001, with a break in 2002 and 2010, V is the top wine at Vergelegen and is suitably ambitious stuff, aged entirely in new oak. Polished, elegant and refined, with smooth tannins, notes of graphite and iron and a long, complex finish that promises more in bottle. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. GST
SG$898.62 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Give or take 2% Cabernet Franc, this is a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 100% new wood. It’s a brilliantly focused wine that carries its 14.5% alcohol lightly, with notes of tobacco and aromatic spices, filigree tannins and layers of mint, green herbs and dark fruit. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. GST
SG$504.08 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Often among my favourite Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignons, this textbook Helderberg red was blended with 3% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc in 2017. Scented, refined and effortlessly dense and complex, with aromatic 30% new wood, mocha, cedarwood and cassis flavours and a long, balanced, herbal finish. 2022-29 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. GST
SG$734.01 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)You can almost count the good producers of Sangiovese outside Italy on the fingers of one hand, so well done Waterford for the impressive first release of this blend with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Herbal and spicy, it has aromas of pine and rosemary, succulent red berry fruit, classic Italian acidity and savoury tannins and stylish second and third use wood. 2021-27 |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 90 (VN) |
In Bond
SG$155.00 |
|||||
Vinous (90)The 2017 Man In The Moon comes from a block of Clairette Blanche that is shared with Craven, the vines 30 years old, and matured in used oak. It has a refulgent straw color with fat tears. The generous bouquet features yellow plum, nectarine, candle wax and light vervain tea aromas. The palate is quite phenolic on the entry, well balanced with a waxy texture and resinous in style; ginger and light pepper notes emerge toward the finish. More tactile than overt in fruit, this is a left-field wine from John Seccombe, one I feel is well made and fascinating. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95+ (GS) |
In Bond
SG$341.00 |
|||||
Greg Sherwood MW (95+)This really is a sensational expression from Andre and the team at Vergelegen. A blend of 20% Sauvignon and 80% Semillon, this wine screams premium white Bordeaux from the minute you smell the alluring aromatics. All the classical white Bordeaux hallmark notes are there including a crunchy white citrus, grapefruit zest, pineapple pastille fruits, lime peel, dried coconut and reductive hints of black currant and vinyl. The palate is broad and powerful with a leading edge of sweet and sour grapefruit acidity, tangerine juice, green mango flesh and white citrus fruit intensity. Slightly pithy with hints of dried grass, this wine is a never ending profusion of fruit concentration, minerality and dried herb complexity all knitted together in a very tight, intense, classical package. This wine would go down an absolute treat blind with the Bordelaise producers in the Graves or Pessac-Leognan. With pyrazines well and truly conquered in this wine, this expression is lined up for a long and successful ageing period. Drink from release and for another 12 to 15+ years. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
SG$307.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Reviewed alongside the 2018 release as they are both on the market, this is Semillon dominated with 40% Sauvignon Blanc. Barrel-aged in one-third new oak, it has flinty, struck match aromas, stylish wood spice, notes of lanolin and grapefruit and a pithy, refreshing finish. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
SG$208.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Every bit as good as the 2017, even though the vintage is less celebrated, this is an equal marriage of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc with an even lower pH. Grapefruit and elderflower flavours combine appealingly with the stylish vanilla oak, embellished by a herbal undertone. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
SG$190.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Proof the remarkable ageing potential of Vergelegen's flagship white wine - and it's only just settling into its stride - this is a gloriously complex blend of Sauvignon Blanc and 36% Semillon, with appealing freshness and zip, good focus, a salty undertone and flavours of grapefruit, gooseberry and fresh toast. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 18 (JR) |
In Bond
SG$210.00 |
|||||
Jancis Robinson (18)Tasted blind. Blackcurrant pastilles on the really interesting, sophisticated nose. Some savoury inkiness and lots of pleasure. Firm and confident and set for the long term. Lots there with tannin evident only on the end for future development. Long. This is the first wine that reminds me of ambitious bordeaux … luscious – a sort of right-bank style. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 93 (WA) |
In Bond
SG$1,015.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (93)Showing much better is the 2006 “V” that demonstrates a little more opulence and fruit intensity on the nose with ripe blackberry, raspberry, sloe and cedar with good definition. The palate has firm chalky tannins and a good sense of tension, a citrus-like acidity towards the long poised finish. This has great potential, but again it deserves time in the cellar. Drink 2014-2022. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
SG$980.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Made as a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon since 2008, this is the top red at Vergelegen and demonstrates André van Rensburg’s mastery of the variety. It’s a focused, classically proportioned red, combining freshness with concentration, suppleness with structure. Aromatic and refined, it has plenty more to give. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 3 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
SG$886.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)First made in 2001, with a break in 2002 and 2010, V is the top wine at Vergelegen and is suitably ambitious stuff, aged entirely in new oak. Polished, elegant and refined, with smooth tannins, notes of graphite and iron and a long, complex finish that promises more in bottle. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
SG$767.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Give or take 2% Cabernet Franc, this is a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 100% new wood. It’s a brilliantly focused wine that carries its 14.5% alcohol lightly, with notes of tobacco and aromatic spices, filigree tannins and layers of mint, green herbs and dark fruit. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
SG$409.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Often among my favourite Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignons, this textbook Helderberg red was blended with 3% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc in 2017. Scented, refined and effortlessly dense and complex, with aromatic 30% new wood, mocha, cedarwood and cassis flavours and a long, balanced, herbal finish. 2022-29 |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
SG$614.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)You can almost count the good producers of Sangiovese outside Italy on the fingers of one hand, so well done Waterford for the impressive first release of this blend with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Herbal and spicy, it has aromas of pine and rosemary, succulent red berry fruit, classic Italian acidity and savoury tannins and stylish second and third use wood. 2021-27 |
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