This is an extraordinary chance to taste some of the very best red wines being produced in South Africa
The wines are chosen by Wine Merchant Caroline Rillema each year
It is held in the vast area of the Cape Town Stadium hospitality suite
It was impossible to taste all the approximately 82 wines, so we tried to keep it to about two of every varietal,
The wines are chosen by Wine Merchant Caroline Rillema each year
It is held in the vast area of the Cape Town Stadium hospitality suite
It was impossible to taste all the approximately 82 wines, so we tried to keep it to about two of every varietal,
but failed, as there were too many favourites!
We avoided those we have tasted and written about recently but on some we just had to taste again!
And, sadly, we did not get to taste some varietals like Pinotages, excellent as they are
We avoided those we have tasted and written about recently but on some we just had to taste again!
And, sadly, we did not get to taste some varietals like Pinotages, excellent as they are
If you missed this opportunity, keep in mind that Caroline will hold her White Wine Review
nearer the end of the year, in summer. We will keep you posted
Christopher Keet pouring his Keet 2022 red blend. He is a treasured friend and this was our first taste of the evening
The wine is a Bordeaux blend and has its classic richness on the nose, full of dark berry fruit and elegance
Silky on the palate with chalky tannins and long berry fruit flavours, this wine is made to last, but already so enjoyable
Silky on the palate with chalky tannins and long berry fruit flavours, this wine is made to last, but already so enjoyable
Reciprocal Trading director Tarryn Vincent showed her specialist range of Riedel wine glasses
Tokara winemaker Stuart Botha was there with his award-winning 2021 Directors Reserve Red Bordeaux blend
Incense wood, then a beautiful bouquet of red berries
A mouthful of ripe and well handled grapes with long flavours and some tannin support
Incense wood, then a beautiful bouquet of red berries
A mouthful of ripe and well handled grapes with long flavours and some tannin support
Vilafonte Series C 2016 magnum
It's a wow, as impressive as our last tasting, layers of fruit, wood support and elegance
Caroline van Schalkwyk showed the Vergelegen Estate Red 2022
It has good fruit in balance with acidity, lighter than some and hints of wood on the end
Jac Borman showed the the 2024 Boschkloof Epilogue 2024 Shiraz
It is spicy and exciting with good fruit on the nose and palate
Lots of pomegranate and cherry with good wood support
Jac's son Reenen is the winemaker now that Jac has retired from the cellar
Jac is now more involved with the vineyards
Fairview winemaker Annette van Zyl showed her Lanner Hill 2022 Syrah from their Darling property, a Platter five star wine
Made with natural yeast, it is very elegant, with lovely fruit, spice and freshness
Iona Solace 2022 Syrah has a good nose with fruit to the fore with a bit of wood smoke
Silky on the palate, with good layers of fruit
Nicole Kilian with Keermont's Single Vineyard Series Topside Syrah 2020 is always worth a taste
and this one has silk, spice, red berry and pomegranate fruit
Tyrrel Myburgh with his Klippe Kou 2022 Syrah
An enticing and slightly mysterious nose of wood and fruit
More on the palate and a lovely balance. It develops and opens on the palate with chalk and wood support. A food wine
Cellarmaster RJ Botha with the Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2021 Family Reserve Syrah
Lots of spice and wood on the nose, lovely layers of ripe fruit in balance with good acidity
Oak Valley winemaker Jacques du Plessis showed their Tabula Rasa PN777 2022 Pinot Noir
It is powerful on the nose, "I'm Pinot!", with perfume, cherry, wood smoke
Layered on the palate which start slow then open with deep, long flavours
Jacques and his wife Sarah became parents recently, of a lovely new son. We congratulate them
Crystallum Mabalel 2025 Pinot Noir was shown by Albert van den Oewer
20% new oak, it had 10 months in barrel and is surprisingly light in colour and on the attractive nose and palate
Bosman Family Vineyards winemaker Corlea Fourie pouring the their Upper Hemel en Aarde Pinot noir 2024
Lovely Cherry, berry flavours with a gentle herbal note. Gentle wood influence from older barrels
Another Platter five star
Wine Masters in discussion
Master of Wine Richard Kershaw and Cape Wine Master Karen Visser
Kershaw winemaker Dudley Wilson pouring the CPS Hemel en Aarde Ridge 2021 Pinot Noir
It is aromatic and very French in style with sweet and sour cherry flavours,
layered on nose and palate with long delicious flavours and calls for food ...
and having fun with Richard Kershaw. Lynne is enjoying Richard's very educational recent postings about wine on line
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Pinot noir 2024 has such quality on the nose,
it is soft and gentle with fruit and light smoke, while chalk and wood support the cherry fruit in layers,
so delicious and satisfying.
Jessica Saurwein and Zonnika Louw with Jessica's Saurwein Om Pinot noir 2024
It has an excellent palate with lots of cherry fruit and dark oak, classy. Very enjoyable.
Paul Cluver winemaker Chelsea Gibson showed the Paul Cluver Estate Pinot Noir 2024
Another classic South African Pinot with an excellent nose; it is young and needs time
De Grendel marketing manager Righard Theron showed De Grendel Tijger Merlot 2022
Perfume and incense wood on the nose, a silky palate with layers and layers of good sweet berry fruit
well supported, so covetable. And a good food wine
Lourensford winemaker Timothy Witbooi with his Limited Release Merlot 2024
Dark cherry and plum fruit on nose and delicious palate
Fleur du Cap Merlot 2022 shown by winemaker Samuel Viljoen
The wine has perfume, smoke and fruit on the nose. On the palate, soft fruit in balance with acid, long flavours
Piekenierskloof cellarmaster Alecia Boshoff showed the Old Vine Grenache noir 2024
The sandy soil of the area allows their vines to live long, healthy lives on original rootstocks. It is special.
Minerality on the nose with spice, wood smoke and orange peel
Savouriness on the palate with minerality and salt hints, and good berry fruit. Its unusual and very, very good. Food wine
Bobby Wallace showed his Paul Wallace Black Dog Malbec 2023
The photograph of the eponymous black dog, Jake, in the photographs was taken by John in 2011
This big Elgin wine has spice and minerality
Well balanced dark fruit with layers and some supporting tannin and wood.
Boekenhoutskloof Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 was shown by winemaker Gottfried Mocke
A very well-attended event
Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
The wine has lots of spice, incense wood, more dry tannins and hot spice on the palate, then good fruit
Delaire Graf winemaker Morné Vrey showed his 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Incense wood smoke on the nose, minerality on the palate
with initially shy fruit which suddenly opens up to lots of berry fruit
Ahha! A future wine to put down in your cellar, rewarding and elegant
Gabriëlskloof 2022 Cabernet Franc has a savoury palate and good fruit
It's young and layered with interesting chalky tannins.
Gerard Holden with his Holden Manz Cabernet franc Reserve 2022
An icy entry, chilled fruit. Good sweet berry fruit on palate with supporting chalky tannins
Raats Family Wines Vlag Vineyard Selection Cabernet franc 2022
This classic has smoke, incense wood and spice on the nose
Great fruit, tannins and wood on the palate, so special, so different;
it is full on the palate, everything you wanted, with power. A great wine to end a special tasting opportunity
All the stories we have produced since 2012
can be opened from the archive list near the top of the column on the right of this page
