Stellenbosch

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 South African 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.

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

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. 

A delicious South African Sauvignon from the guys at Waterkloof, made with the care and attention normal reserved for wines of twice the price. Fresh and vibrant with grassy, gooseberry and citrus characters. Crisp, clean finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

False Bay Wine

Champions of Biodiversity and Sustainable Biodynamic Farming.

A hugely compelling wine. Deeply refined single estate expression showing bounds of character, finesse, length, breadth and structure - it really does have it all! A classically styled wine with notes of cassis and cedar. The seamless, elegant palate is encased by fine tannins.

A harmonious and integrated blend that combines the spiciness of the Syrah, the fresh fruits of the Petit Verdot and the juiciness from the Merlot. The beginning is fresh and fruity with good acidity, evolving into riper flavours and herbaceous notes, with elegant tannins and fine, bright acid in the finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: 56% Syrah, 27% Petit Verdot, 17% Merlot

Organic, Biodynamic

Waterkloof Wine

WATERKLOOF estate was founded in 2004, ending Paul Boutinot’s persistent and uncompromising 10 year search for a vineyard site with the potential to produce truly fine wine with a defining sense of origin. Located on the south-facing slopes of Schapenberg Hill near Somerset in the Stellenbosch district of the Western Cape’s Coastal Region, Waterkloof shares its magnificent Atlantic views with free-roaming peacocks and other natural fauna and flora attracted to this haven. Certified by Demeter in 2015, their vineyards are of only a few in the Cape to boast official biodynamic approval and status. The estate has 56 hectares under vine and Tim Atkin’s Cape Classification currently ranks Waterkloof as 5th Growth level. With production around 165,000 bottles per year, Waterkloof make “honest wines” from their unique biodynamic coastal site. Respect for nature, traditional winemaking practices and minimal intervention are all key to their success.

Fresh lime citrus nose, with ripe stone fruit and tropical notes and hint lemon grass. Green apple and ripe citrus characters on the palate with cleansing acidity and a nice streak of minerality on the finish..

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

ABV: 11.5%

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

 Food match: Peri Peri chicken or asparagus and lemon risotto.

 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 

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 additions 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.

Complex nose with hints of spice, chocolate and mocha. Good structure with plum and mineral complexity and a lingering finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet, Petit Verdot & Malbec

ABV: 14.5%

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 (nestled between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg Mountains

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Chenin Blanc

Food Match: Fish dishes, shellfish and sushi

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. More than twenty years on, he is one of South Africa’s most decorated winemakers.

Label by Rita Trafford: 'Helichrysum Dreaming'

Deep, dark purple in colour and gorgeously full bodied and unctuous wine. Raspberries, mulberries and aromatic sweet spice jump out of the glass on the nose. Fine grained, grippy, tannins are in perfect balance with the bucket loads of concentrated, ripe fruit character.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Tinta Barocca

ABV: 14.5%

Dornier is a family owned winery that is situated in the Golden Triangle area of the
famous Upper Blaauwklippen Valley in Stellenbosch - their prestigious neighbours are
De Trafford, Keermont and Waterford, so they are in fine company. The property was home to one of the first wineries in Stellenbosch, having been completed in the late 1600s, as well as an historic Sir Herbert Baker home. The winemaking philosophy at Dornier is to produce premium quality wines, with minimal intervention in the winery, that are expressive of the unique terroir of the Golden Triangle and showcase the complexity and finesse of the noble grape varietals planted on the farm..

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.

A wonderful fruity Pinotage with velvety tannins supporting sweet spices and red and black fruit.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Pinotage

ABV: 13.5%

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).

This is superb value for money, a  Merlot dominant Bordeaux blend from the slopes of Stellenbosch's Simonsberg Mountain.

Country: South Africa

Region: Bankhoek, Stellenbosch

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

ABV: 14.5%

This blend from the Bordelaise specialists of Banghoek Valley is brim full of ripe, bramble and plummy fruit with dark curranty corners. Bright, fresh and gently leafy on the finish.

Old bush vine Cinsault forms the backbone of this 'proper' rosé. A pale, spicy and textural Rosé mostly sourced from bush-vine Cinsault with summer fruits on the palate and a lovely clean, savoury, dry finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Cinsault, Mourvedre

ABV: 12%

There is almost no food that fails to work with this wine. Perfect with Mediterranean dishes especially juicy pan-fried garlic prawns... or drink chilled on its own.

Rich, citrus, lime and almond nose. The ripe and fleshy palate. Creamy mouthfeel with the lime acidity and a super-long finish

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 13.5%

Deep purple/red colour with an opaque core. On the nose it is rich with sweet red and black berry notes, some vanilla and sweet spice. On the palate it is much weightier than the nose suggests.  Very opulent, but elegant and balanced at the same time.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV: 14%

Grape: Shiraz

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: 

ABV: 

Dornier is a family owned winery that is situated in the Golden Triangle area of the
famous Upper Blaauwklippen Valley in Stellenbosch - their prestigious neighbours are
De Trafford, Keermont and Waterford, so they are in fine company.
The property was home to one of the first wineries in Stellenbosch, having been
completed in the late 1600s, as well as an historic Sir Herbert Baker home.
The winemaking philosophy at Dornier is to produce premium quality wines, with minimal
intervention in the winery, that are expressive of the unique terroir of the Golden Triangle
and showcase the complexity and finesse of the noble grape varietals planted on the farm..

Full-bodied with intense cassis, red berry and fynbos notes. Cedar and spice from the oak maturation. Beautifully rounded, well integrated, tannins as a result of the extended ageing before release. 

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 14.5%

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.

94 points Tim Atkin MW

5 Star Platter Winery

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc

ABV: 12.5%

Organic and Biodynamic

Vegan/Vegetarian