Bold Reds
Bold Reds
Doran Vineyards Íosa Shiraz 2018
Regular price £15.95Deep concentration of plums and blackberries with undertones of spice.
This is followed by the fresh fragrance of blue violets. Juicy tannins leave your mouth craving more.
Country: South Africa
Region: Voor Paardeberg
Grapes: Shiraz
ABV: 14.5%
KWV Mentors Limited Release Nebbiolo 2017
Regular price £39.95A very special limited parcel wine from talented young South African winemaker Izele Van Blerk. Drinking window 2023 - 2028. Only 1300 bottles made!
The wine spent 36 months in 2nd and 3rd fill 500L French oak barrels and 24 months in bottle before release. The grapes are from 136 very old vines!
This full-bodied wine explodes with aromas of rose petals, red cherries and raspberries with hints of lavender. The palate is focused with an undertone of cloves, dried fruit and
leather. The grippy tannin structure and zippy acidity is well integrated and delivers an intense, lasting finish.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Nebbiolo
ABV: 14.5%
Food match: Beef Tenderloin,
braised duck, wild mushrooms and aged Gouda.
Gift Horse Single Vineyard Barbera The Drift Farm 2018
Regular price £65.00Made from the northern Italian staple variety, Barbera, this wine is rich and inviting, with scents of mulberry, black cherry, white pepper and fynbos herbs. Ripe and balanced on the palate with an excellent acidity. Long spicy finish.
Country: South Africa
Region: Overberg
ABV: 13.5%
Grapes: Barbera
Strandveld Vineyards 'The Navigator' 2020
Regular price £24.95Complex nose with hints of dark chocolate, blackberry, lavender and mocha. Good structure with plum, vibrant red berry and mineral complexity and a lingering finish.
Country: South Africa
Region: Elim, Cape Agulhus
Grapes: Shiraz Grenache Mouvedre Viognier
ABV: 14%
The Chocolate Block 2022 Boekenhoutskloof Half Bottle 375ml
Regular price £16.95Iconic South African wine by Marc Kent, one of the most innovative winemakers in South Africa. The 2022 wine is bigger and better than ever!
An earthy, rustic nose gives up aromas of leather, earth and spices over a backdrop of blackcurrant and ripe raspberry fruit. Harmonious and powerful on the palate, with a cocoa and pepper complexity. Most at home with spice-rubbed steaks, roast rib of beef, or game dishes.
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek, Swartland
ABV: 14.5%
Grapes: 64% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cinsault, 1% Viognier
Doran Incipio 2019
Regular price £19.95A unique version of a Cote-Rotie blending Shiraz and a small percentage of Chenin.
Floral, with crunchy, fresh red and black fruits on the nose with a rich, but elegant palate of cocoa, blackberries and sweet spice.
Country: South Africa
Region: Voor Paardeberg
Grapes: Shiraz and Chenin Blanc
ABV: 14%
The Chocolate Block 2021 Magnum 1.5L
Regular price £56.95A wine by Marc Kent, one of the most innovative winemakers in South Africa.
An earthy, rustic nose gives up aromas of leather, earth and spices over a backdrop of blackcurrant and ripe raspberry fruit. Harmonious and powerful on the palate, with a cocoa and pepper complexity. Most at home with spice-rubbed steaks, roast rib of beef, or game dishes.
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
ABV: 14.5%
Grapes: 79% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cinsault, 1% Viognier
An exciting blend of 5 grape varieties, from innovative winemaker Marc Kent. Dominated by Syrah, the grapes come from several specially selected blocks of vines on the Boekenhoutskloof estates in Franschhoek and in the Swartland, fermented and aged for up to 18 months in old French oak.
Boekenhoutskloof Stellenbosch Cabernet 2021
Regular price £49.95What's not to love about this wine?! A very rich, appealing nose of black and blueberry aromas and hints of cigar box and tobacco spiciness. The palate is exceptionally full and round, yet precise with a crème de cassis, black currant and Cedar wood of the nose following through with notes of pencil shavings, red capsicum, tea leaf and notes of clove. Grainy tannins and a perfect acidity balance the dark berry fruit on a rich mid-palate, suggesting significant ageing protentional. The finish is smooth and complex with its offering of red liquorice, fennel and exotic spice and an impressive length.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
ABV: 14.5%
Tim Atkin MW
95 points. Gottfried Mocke sources this Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon from two growers - one on the Helderberg, the other in Stellenbosch Kloof - to produce what is always the denser than its companion Franschhoek bottling. Inky and grippy, with top notes of menthol, mocha and dried herbs, lots of energy and vibrancy and a core of plum, blueberry and cassis. 2025-35
James Suckling
93 points. Pretty nose of blackcurrants, sage, blackberry leaves and nutmeg. Firm and well-framed, with a full body and solid tannin structure. Excellent freshness, too. Drink or hold.
Neal Martin – Vinous.
91 points. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch contains no Cabernet Franc. It is matured 60% in new French barriques for 22 months. This is more compact on the nose than the Franschhoek bottling with darker fruit, perhaps a little more Old World inspired. The palate is medium bodied with fine tannins, crips and focused. IT’s edgier than the Franschhoek cuvee, full of energy with a focused, graphite-infused finish lingering long in the mouth. Excellent.
Babylonstoren - Babel 2022
Regular price £17.95Country: South Africa
Region: Paarl, Western Cape
Grapes: 39% shiraz, 16% cabernet sauvignon, 11% malbec, 11% merlot, 10% petit verdot, 7% cabernet franc and 6% pinotage
ABV: 14.5%
Stellenbosch Vineyards Bushvine Pinotage 2021
Regular price £15.95Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Pinotage
ABV:
Stellenbosch Vineyards is located on the historic Welmoed farm, which was one of the
first proclaimed farms in Stellenbosch and dates back to 1690.
They produce a range of wines that are true to style, and consistently showcase the
quality and value of South African wine. Stellenbosch Vineyards are a well-versed
negociant, sourcing excellent grapes from various plots around the Cape each year to
supplement their estate grown grapes. Stellenbosch Vineyards is one of South Africa’s
leading exporters, with about 85% of their production heading for foreign shores.
Stellenbosch Vineyards take their corporate social responsibility seriously - they are
Fairtrade certified and are members of the Agricultural Ethical Trade Initiative (WIETA)
and the Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (ARA).
The Chocolate Block Gift Case 6
Regular price £143.70 Sale price £130.00The Chocolate Block 2022 Boekenhoutskloof
Regular price £23.952022 5 star platter!!!
Iconic South African wine by South African Winemaker of the year 2020 Gottfried Mocke, one of the most innovative winemakers in South Africa. Tim Atkin has rated this vintage 92 points in his latest South African report The 2022 wine is bigger and better than ever!
The nose is dark, intense and brooding with aromas of black cherries, cardamom, sweet tobacco, espresso and subtle whiffs of perfume. The dark fruit character of the nose follows through onto an exceptionally complex, juicy palate with gentle nuances of ripe plums, violets, black olives, cloves, and liquorice. The mid-palate is focused, lithe and elegant with very fine, cocoa powdery tannins. The wine is medium to full bodied, very balanced with an earthy, layered character, covering the entire spectrum of berry fruit - from tart red plums to rich blue and black berries. The finish is svelte, clean and dry, peppery and lingering, with hints of dried cranberry, tar, graphite and smoke.
Country: South Africa
Region: Swartland
ABV: 14.5%
Grapes: Syrah 71%; Grenache 11%; Cinsault 9%; Cabernet Sauvignon 8%; Viognier 1%
Spier Creative Block 3 Shiraz Mouvedre Viognier 2018
Regular price £26.95Predominantly Shiraz, aromas of violet, cherries, blackberries and redcurrant coulis, and multi-layered floral aromas-roses, lavender, pink peppercorns and fennel.
Country: South Africa
Region: Coastal Region
Grapes: Syrah, Mourvedre, Viognier
ABV: 14.5%
Donovan Rall Vuurberg Red 2018
Regular price £25.95A ripe and intriguing nose of wild berries, blackberry compote, graphite and tobacco. These delights follow through onto a palate with layers of dark black fruits, brown spice and subtle oak. The freshness of the Petit Verdot complements the richness of the Cabernet and Cinsault, creating a wine of concentration and structure with the potential to evolve beautifully over the next 10 years. After decanting the wine evolves nicely, showing notes of crushed-rock minerality amongst the layered and complex fruit.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
ABV: 14.5%
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cinsault
Food Match: A braai of course! Good steak, bashed and barbecued with a sprinkling of rock salt and grilled veg
The wine is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cinsault from estate-grown fruit. The grapes are picked as early as possible and rushed to the cellar where it is not crushed only destemmed, hand sorted and transferred to tank. Fermentation occurs naturally without the addition of any yeasts after a cold soak of about 3 to 5 days. As soon as fermentation starts the grapes are given soft pigeage twice daily during the first week and then once every few days just to keep the cap wet. When the desired extraction is achieved the wine gets drained and pressed in a tiny hand operated basket press and transferred into 225l french oak barrels of which 50% new for 22 months before bottling unfined and with only a light filtration.
Vergelegen Reserve Semillon 2020
Regular price £21.00The superb Sémillon grapes for this wine have been sourced from the Korhaan Vineyard, block number 11, planted in 1988. The nose shows intense citrus, white flowers, honey and spice. Stunningly focused, complex and well balanced with a crisp acidity.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Semillon
ABV: 14.5%
AA Badenhorst Kalmoesfontein Red 2020
Regular price £32.00A luminous and lifted red blend from Mr Badenhorst. Predominantly Shiraz, with Grenache, Tinta Barocca and some Cinsault from mostly old bushvines growing in the decomposed granite soils of the Paardeberg mountain. Very youthful, with a kaleidoscope of aromas - cherries, blackberries and redcurrant coulis, and multi-layered floral aromas-roses, lavender, pink peppercorns and violets.
Country: South Africa
Region: Swartland
Grapes: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Tinta Barocca
ABV: 14.5%
Adi Badenhorst is DEFINATELY one the most exciting winemakers in South Africa - part of the Swartland revolution movement...
Reyneke Organic Red 2020
Regular price £16.95Lots of ripe, dark fruit with a hint of meatiness. This is a braai wine for sure!
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Shiraz, Cabernet
ABV: 13.5%
Organic
Vegan/Vegetarian
Reyneke is 5 star Platter Winery!
Boekenhoutskloof Franschhoek Cabernet 2021
Regular price £49.95Stunning wine as always! A very elegant, floral nose of violets, menthol and blueberry aromas and hints of cigar box and tobacco spiciness. The palate is exceptionally full and round, yet precise with a crème de cassis, black currant and Cedar wood of the nose following through with notes of pencil shavings, red capsicum, tea leaf and notes of clove. Grainy tannins and a perfect acidity balance the dark berry fruit on a rich mid-palate, suggesting significant ageing protentional. The finish is smooth and complex with its offering of red liquorice, fennel and exotic spice and an impressive length.
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschoek
Grapes: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc
ABV: 14.5%
Tim Atkin MW
96 points. Boekenhoutskloof's Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon is picked two weeks later than its Stellenbosch stable mate and is a fresher, more refined wine. Benefitting from the inclusion of 12% Cabernet Franc from the vines around the winery, it has aromas of graphite, violet and eucalyptus, palate-caressing, granular tannins and red berry and blackcurrant leaf flavours. 2024-35
James Suckling
94 points. Lovely spicy fragrance of thyme, licorice and clove to the dark berry fruit. Full-bodied, deep and polished, with sturdy tannins. Spicy and muscular. Cabernet sauvignon with 14% cabernet franc. Try from 2024.
Neal Martin-Vinous.
89 points. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek, blended with 12% Cabernet France, is naturally fermented and aged over 22 months, 95% French barriques. It has a more fruit forward bouquet than its Stellenbosch counterpart; brambly red fruit, blood orange, hints of marmalade and tobacco. Quite exuberant with touches of menthol developing. The medium bodied palate has succulent tannins, juicy and generous with black pepper-infused black fruit. Oddly, this is quite Syrah-like in style a “fun” Cabernet leaving the seriousness to the Stellenbosch Cabernet.
Vergelegen Semillon Straw Wine 2021
Regular price £17.95Vergelegen’s special dessert wine made from the Sémillon grape grown in Vergelegen’s Korhaan and Niel-Suid vineyards. This wine is only produced in certain years. Abundant ripe, tropical fruits on the nose and a marvellous acidity and freshness on the palate.
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Semillon
ABV: 12%
Hermanuspietersfontein Kleinboet 2020
Regular price £21.95Kleinboet (‘little brother’) is a Cellar Door all time favourite. A delicious, rich, bold, earthy, but fruity Bordeaux blend.
Country: South Africa
Region: Hemel en Aarde
Grapes: Bordeaux Blend
ABV: 13.5
You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s
famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In
1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing
letters to the locals easier.
150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding
wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof (they produce
90% of WO Sondagskloof wine), which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for
South Africa’s coolest wine growing region. This area is perfectly suited to Bordeaux
varietals and, with the exception of Shiraz, is exclusively planted with them.
The Afrikaans wine names might look like a bit of a mouthful, but they are good fun;
Bloos (‘blush’), Kaalvoet Meisie (‘barefoot girl’), Kat Met Die Houtbeen (‘cat with the
wooden leg’), Posmeester (‘postmaster’), Kleinboet (‘little brother’) and Swartskaap
(‘black sheep’).
Vilafonte Seriously Old Dirt 2020
Regular price £29.95Seriously delicious Bordeaux blend from SA. Full of black cherry, and blackberry along with warm notes of baking spice and vanilla pod. Subtle liquorice and seductive tobacco and hazelnut add a luxurious dimension. Long, silky finish.
Country: South Africa
Region: Paarl
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc
ABV: 14%
Grangehurst Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Regular price £29.95Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
ABV:
Handcrafted. Traditional. Unhurried. These three words epitomise Jeremy Walker’s
winemaking, with one notable omission - Delicious. By ‘Unhurried’, Jeremy is alluding to
the fact that he doesn’t release a wine until he believes it is ready to be enjoyed, which is
evident in the current vintages being 2008, 2009 and 2011!
Jeremy Walker founded Grangehurst in 1992, when he converted his fathers’ squash
court into a makeshift wine production cellar. He used the ‘squash court cellar’ to make
his first 6 vintages, only moving out after the 1998 vintage.
Jeremy was invited to join the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild in 1996 and was one
of the longest standing members when, in order to let a young winemaker take his
place in the sun, he elected to step down in 2021.
Porseleinberg 2021
Regular price £69.95Porseleinberg is the result of Marc Kent’s search for the best Syrah grapes, a journey
that inevitably took him to the Swartland. It was here that Kent found an isolated and
windswept wine farm perched atop the Porseleinberg mountain.
The site is now recognised as one of the greatest Syrah vineyards in the world.
Country: South Africa
Region: Swartland
ABV: 13.9%
Grape: Syrah
Organic
The 4th vintage of applying the submerged cap technique, which continues to emphasise Porseleinberg's unique tannin profile. A reserved start is noticeable, after which the wine opens to red and black fruit, with a mineral and savoury spice. A crunchy, dry and grippy, yet fine tannin soundly carries the fruit to cover ones palate. The finish is long and fresh with good fruit concentration and some salty minerality. Drink from 2031-35. Winemaker Callie Louw
Waterkloof Syrah 2020
Regular price £30.75Lifted, perfumed, red berry nose with peppery, smoky notes. Ripe and fleshy on the palate with fine, fresh plummy fruit leading to a long, savoury, structured finish.
Country : South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grape: Syrah
ABV: 14%
Hand-picked and hand-sorted. Whole bunch wild yeast ferment in an old open-top French oak fermenter. Foot-treading and manual punch-downs followed by 24 months ageing in old 600l French oak barrels. No additions other than sulphur.
The third release under the Waterkloof label, an elegant, northern Rhone-ish Syrah with lovely purity of crushed red berry fruit. Supple and plush but built to last.