All Wines

A delicious South African Chenin from the guys at Waterkloof, made with the care and attention normal reserved for wines of twice the price.

This sought ­after wine has fine, mineral Chenin characters with gentle ripe apple aromas, honeyed aromatics and delicious greengage and citrus lemon acidity on the long finish. A wine with great finesse and style

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Chenin Blanc

False Bay Wine

‘Wild Yeast Fermentation’ refers to the practice of letting the naturally occurring yeast in the environment to run the fermentation (rather than using cultured yeasts). Although wild yeast fermentations require closer care and attention by the winemaker, the results are a more complex and interesting wine.

Super great value for money red from the guys at Waterkloof.

Hints of dark fruits, chocolate and eucalyptus leading to a heady mix of fruit, rich chocolate and plums supported by soft tannins.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

Grapes: 100% Pinotage

ABV: 13.5%

False Bay Wine

Food match: Braaied meat!

A fine pale-coloured rosé with delicate aromas of pomegranates and raspberry and a distinctive flintiness. There’s finesse and elegance on the palate with flavours of soft red fruits, a gentle silky texture and a lingering fresh acidity on the finish.

If you ask someone what is their favourite wine, most would mention a red or a white. Very few would give a rosé. But, (for us) South Africa has taken the 'common' rosé and turned it into an art form. 

Such a delicate and perfumed rosé. Take a bit of sophisticated Provence rosé, give it a little hint of international dynamic, a little bit of relaxed "take me as I am" S'African personality and the result is this deliciously drinkable rosé from Stellenbosch.

Country: South Africa

Region: Schapenberg, Stellenbosch

Grapes: Mourvedre

ABV: 13%

Biodynamic and Organic

Waterkloof Wines

Winemaker Nadia Barnard:

In October 2022 Penny had the great pleasure of visiting Waterkloof Estate on the slopes of the Schapenberg, Stellenbosch with a few colleagues from the UK wine trade. They spent the good part of two days being driven around this beautiful, sustainably managed piece of land by winemaker, Nadia Barnard. All of the vineyards on the estate are farmed following organic and biological principles. Here at Cellar Door Wines we've always been huge fans of Waterkloof wines. It is always lovely to taste Nadia's wines in Saint Albans, but to be able to do so at Waterkloof, with the woman herself, was extra special. Tasting wine at the place of its birth explains the why and the how of its individuality. The people behind the vineyard and winery are also key components in the equation. The Cape and Waterkloof has such diversity of wine style with a great price quality ratio.

From the true masters of Cape Cabernet - the benchmark Stellenbosch Cab. 2015 was the winner of platter 5* best Cabernet Sauvignon in South Africa.

This is the only red wine produced by Le Riche that is not 100% Cabernet. A reincarnation of Le Riche's classic Cab Merlot blend, this is an exceptionally lovely, classically Bordelaise blend. Restrained but appealing on the nose with typical red fruit aromas of plum, cherries and milled pepper are balanced by an aroma of finely ground graphite found in Left Bank Bordeaux. The palate is a masterpiece of blending - hugely appealing with juicy mouth-filling flavours of red berries, plums and smoky hints balanced with a fine, soft tannic structure and rounded finish. Finely structured and phenomenally fine, Christo Le Riche has more than stepped into his father’s shoes!

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Petit Verdot

Le Riche Wine

The backbone of the range, it’s a phenomenal expression of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon when it’s allowed a maritime influence, and it is this that sets it apart and marks it as truly Bordelaise. With carefully selected fruit from the cool gravelly slopes facing False Bay to the rich red granitic soils around Stellenbosch, the wine gains its complexity by expertly blending fruit from 4 specifically diverse terroirs. 

Gorgeous, dark garnet colour with a bright ruby edge. Aroma’s of black cherry, plum and peppery notes with a subtle hint of liquorice. The palate shows dark fruit and sweet spice supported by fine, supple tannins and a fresh finish. 

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 14.5%

Neil Ellis Wine

This is superb value for money rosé, 100% Cabernet Franc rose from the slopes of Stellenbosch's Simonsburg Mountain.

Country: South Africa

Region: Bankhoek, Stellenbosch

Grapes: Cabernet Franc

ABV: 13.5%

Zorgvliet's focus is entirely Bordelaise so a Cab Franc rose is a natural fit and a delightfully different product within our South African portfolio. Pale onion skin colour with bright, crunchy red cherry fruit flavours and a full, textural finish.

Crushed laurel on the nose with more than a nuance of residual seaside salt.... or if you want a less pretentious description...bl**dy delicious!

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

ABV: 13%

Vegan, Vegetarian friendly

Biodynamic

Waterkloof Wine

This has a big and textured palate with stone fruit and fennel hints – it is rich and minerally, showing even a slight rocky quality about it. As bracing as the wind through the vines at Waterkloof.

Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004 this majestic and fully-fledged biodynamic estate is perched high on top of hill overlooking the Western Cape’s False Bay and produces delicately fine wines with a real sense of place.

Juicy, crunchy and fresh red fruit. Soft tannins. Very easy drinking. Biodynamic. 

This wine is playful in its aromas with pronounced cassis tones. Furthermore, a combination of blackcurrant, candied orange zest, violets and spices can be appreciated on the nose. In the mouth cassis fruit dominates with some spiciness to it, which is complemented by soft tannins that develop effortlessly.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV:11.5%

Grapes: Cinsault

Waterkloof Wine

Cinsault vines have been grown for centuries in Southern France. In the Rhône and Languedoc regions it is primarily used as a supporting agent in red blends, especially Châteauneuf-du- Pape, to add spice and aromatics whilst mellowing out harsh tannins.

But perhaps its most important role in wine history took place in South Africa, where in 1925 it was crossed with Pinot Noir by Stellenbosch University Professor A.I. Perold in an attempt to create a unique South African varietal. Today this proudly South African varietal is known as Pinotage.

Seriously Cool Cinsault is produced from more than 40 year old bush vines on the cool slopes of the Helderberg region. Older vines are known to have reached optimal balance in growth and production through time. This allows for low yields and ripe fruit with intense flavours. The soils are of decomposed granite origin with medium-sized stones, helping with drainage and moisture retention. Production was approximately 4t/ha.

 Wild yeast fermentation, low yields and ageing in large French oak foudre are what defines this savoury and appealing Syrah. Full yet elegant with bramble fruits and also some earth and meaty aromas. The palate is structured and elegant with fine tannins and a refreshing natural acidity. Ideal with spicy dishes, red meats and rich Mediterranean dishes.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

Grapes: Syrah/Shiraz

ABV: 13.5%

False Bay Wine 

A cracking Petit Verdot from Stellenbosch in South Africa.

Rich and full with full but supple tannin. It shows flavours of Cassis and plum with a whack of oak spice on the finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Petit Verdot

KWV The Mentors Wine

The KWV name is historically synonymous with South African wine and brandy - often the everyday drinking end of the spectrum. Since its launch in 2006, The Mentors range has established itself as one of the most sought-after premium brands in the South African wine landscape. Built around a philosophy of expressing terroir and pioneering new wines and winemaking techniques, it is wine that showcases the original philosophy of KWV, and the rich history and depth of expertise at one of South Africa’s leading wine producers and exporters.

Highly acclaimed winemaker, Izele van Blerk joined KWV’s premium Mentor's range cellar team in 2009 where her focus was and still is to maintain the high standard of producing leading, multi-regional wines from the best grapes South Africa has to offer.

An elegant rendition of this normally unruly varietal. Features raspberry, dark fruit and herbal notes whilst an almost meaty, wild aroma can be detected on the nose. Typical vigour expected from this varietal, with a high concentration of fine tannin and a surprising lightness of touch helped by the lower alcohol.

Country : South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grape: Mourvèdre

ABV: 13.5%

Waterkloof Wine

Living soils and a natural approach to winemaking means that each of the single-varietal wines in the Circumstance range is truly defined by the circumstances influencing the chosen varietal and vineyard blocks, including: soil, aspect, altitude and vintage. The Mourvedre is from a single, windswept, south-facing (less sun exposure) block 250-300m above and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes and wines with a true sense of place. Production was a miserly 4 tons per hectare. Mourvedre is one of the few varietals with enough wind-resistance to plant as bush-vine on Waterkloof. Grapes are hand-harvested and brought to the cellar by horses for hand-sorting. Bunches are sorted and whole-bunch fermentation happens spontaneously with wild yeast in large, open-top wooden fermenters. Manual punch-downs or foot-pressing take place 1-2 times per day and the wine is left on skins for 30 days before going through malolactic fermentation in old 600 litre barrels then ageing for 16 months in the same vessels. No fining, just a light filtration. No additons other than sulphur. Vegan friendly, biodynamic wine. 6 barrels made.

The King of Red Wines, consistently a show stopper and delivers even better with some ageing to it. Vineyards are planted on deep red Hutton and Avalon soils.

Dolomite wines express great purity of fruit and balanced elegance. The nose shows dark and red cherry. Dark berries, spiciness and herbs linger on the palate. The wine has great purity of fruit with a hint of wet-stone minerality and a velvet soft finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Cabernet Franc 90%
Malbec 10%

Bruwer Raats, the winemaker, must be a front-runner for the accolade of ‘King of Chenin’. Not just in South Africa, but globally.

The wine has a distinctive yellow apple and pineapple core, alongside notes of green melon and limes. The wine is thus bursting with fresh fruit flavours. The wine ends with zesty citrus flavours, and has a long mineral finish

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Chenin Blanc

Bruwer has established a reputation as a New World leader in the production of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Neil Martin called him ""one of the top growers in the region, perhaps in South Africa"" and gave his Eden High Density Cabernet Franc 95 points. He crafts soil specific wines that embody the unique characteristics of the Stellenbosch region. The Original Chenin Blanc epitomises the balance between power and elegance, while the Family Chenin delivers a refined complexity with firm minerality.

Bold, ripe, concentrated and structured red and full of dark berry fruit and plums. Very full bodies, very easy drinking SA red from one of the most beautiful places in the world.  

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch Western Cape

Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Red, Shiraz,

ABV: 13%

WOW! What a stunning wine. One of the best wines from South Africa.

A full and rich wine with great depth of flavour and character. There are aromas and flavours of ripe apricots, honey and tropical fruit with a touch of vanilla oak and crisp citrus fruit.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Chenin Blanc

David Trafford is one of South Africa’s most individual winemakers. David is completely self-taught, save for a few months working a vintage in St Emilion. By trade he is an architect but in 1983 he decided to plant a small vineyard for fun. In 1991 David turned his part-time hobby into a full-time career. Twenty years on, he is one of South Africa’s most decorated winemakers.

From the true masters of Cape Cabernet - the benchmark Stellenbosch Cab. 

Ripe cherries and fresh plums are balanced on the nose by vanilla and cedar spice. The palate has lush layers of fruit and spice plus smooth velvety tannins with a firm structure and succulent finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

Le Riche Wine

The backbone of the range, it’s a phenomenal expression of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon when it’s allowed a maritime influence, and it is this that sets it apart and marks it as truly Bordelaise. With carefully selected fruit from the cool gravelly slopes facing False Bay to the rich red granitic soils around Stellenbosch, the wine gains its complexity by expertly blending fruit from 4 specifically diverse terroirs. 

This tight, dark-skinned variety loves the exposed mountain soils of the Simonsberg – this is fully ripe but defined by the winds that howl down the slope’s poor soils. Elegant and well-balanced it has a wonderfully spiced fruit nose with dark plum and prune fruit on the palate and a full but fine tannic structure. Can be enjoyed now but will mature well for at least 5 years.

Country: South Africa

Region: Bankhoek, Stellenbosch

Grapes: Petit Verdot

ABV: 14.5%

Food Match: rich and fatty meat dishes

Aromas and flavours of pure dark red berry and cherry fruit, with intriguing notes of nuts and spices, with a touch of forest floor. Lovely fine, dry tannin and a soft, long finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch, Helderberg

Grapes: Merlot

ABV: 14.5% 

Aromas and flavours of cassis, violets and freshly ground black pepper. An intense, complex, red wine with fine tannins and a lingering finish.

Aptly named the 'Cape Doctor' south easterly wind - this wine has benefited from cool coastal breezes which are clearly reflected in its delicate yet intense nature!

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

ABV: 13.5%

Deep and generous red colour with a dark core. Ripe red and black fruit with liquorice and black olive notes. The palate is seamless, sophisticated and stylish. Structure and texture weave into a tightly focused, multi-dimensional palate. Fine and persistent tannins work well with the bright acidity and will give this wine great longevity.

Country: South Africa

Region: Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch

Grapes: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot ,20% Syrah

ABV: 14%

One of Penny's favourite Stellenbosch estates.

Fresh lemon and lime followed by creamy nuttiness on the nose. This wine has a complex structure with a vibrant crisp palate flowing into an elegant oak finish.  

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay

Hartenberg Wine

Barrel Ageing 12 months French Oak (225litre) 33 % new, 33% 2nd fill. Balance in 3rd fill barrels. Fermented & matured Maturation Up to 5 years from vintage.

Stunning wine drinking beautifully now, but will age well for another 15 to 20 years! An elegant, appealing nose of black and blueberry aromas and hints of cigar box and tobacco spiciness with a touch of dark chocolate. The palate is full and round, yet precise with a crème de cassis and black currant on the nose following through with notes of pencil shavings, red capsicum, tea leaf and notes of clove. The finish is long, smooth and complex.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon 10% Cabernet Franc

ABV: 14.5%

The grapes come from Helderberg Mountains and the Polkadraai Hills of Stellenbosch. The Helderberg is often referred to as the Paulliac of South Africa and in this wine is there is definately a resemblance. 

Tim Atkin 96 points
This superb, ageworthy cuvee of Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Cabernet Franc hails from three vineyards on the Helderberg and one from the Polkadraai Hills. Violet and thyme aromas lead into a structured palate of cassis and dried herbs, with intense tannins and fine 75% new wood. Drink 2023-2035