CONNOISSEUR’S CHOICE—A

A SELECTION OF TOP WINES TO TRY CONNOISSEUR’S CHOICE

1. Iona Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Price R159.99) Fragrance of pure white grapefruit, intense tropical fruit, ripe gooseberry and fleshy kiwi fruit overlay Iona’s distinctive herbal and floral undertones. The palate is keenly balanced showing cut green apples and lime marmalade. Drink in 10 years. PAIRING: Raw and lightly cooked shellfish, prawns and grilled fish.

2. De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Price R169.00) Clean nose displaying aromas of crisp pineapple, fresh papaya, Asian pears and an underlying creamy richness from extended lees contact. This is a complex and multidimensional wine. Drink in 3-4 Years. PAIRING: Vichyssoise, deepfried polenta and Parmesan fries, West Coast crayfish or a goat’s cheese and pear salad.

3. Lomond Pincushion Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Price R149.00) The Lomond Pincushion Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2016 is brilliantly clear with a green hue. The bouquet is elegant, driven by minerality and citrus nuances. Tropical fruit flavours with a a hint of citrus on the tongue. Drink now. PAIRING: Pair with a cheese board or with Thai green curry dishes.

4. Hillcrest Saartjie Cabernet Franc 2018 (Price R224.00) Bright red colour. Chalky nose, with hints of peppery perfume and spicy notes and red berry fruits on the palate. Firm structure, soft tannins and long finish. Drink now or within a few years. PAIRING: Enjoy with butter chicken, oxtail, deep-fried goat’s cheese with a beetroot coulis, white fish and quiche. 7. Ayama The Leopard Spot 2019 (Price R129.00) The nose has bright green apple and mandarin orange aromas, with clean flavours of apple, mineral and a touch of peach. It typically has a lingering finish with a hint of licorice. Drink in the next 5 years. PAIRING: Pair with a wide variety of foods from fish dishes to rich meats like lamb and richly spiced dishes.

10. Kumusha White 2017 (Price R89.00) Ripe fruits on the nose. Apple, peach, lemon zest and winter melon which follow through on the palate. Integrated, rich and textured mouthfeel with a vibrant long finish. 48% Chenin Blanc, 25% Semillon, 17% Roussanne, 10% Viognier. Drink now or up to 2023. PAIRING: Macaroni and cheese with cauliflower, bacon, capers and sultana salsa.

5. Doran L’Alliance 2017 (Price R145.00) A lavish and weighty wine yet balanced by delicate acidity. It has layers of almonds, honey and pear flavours with a pleasant minerality adding a long finish. The grapes came from a bush vine vineyard comprising Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. Drink in 3-5 years. PAIRING: Excellent with Asian cuisine, salads, light pastas and white meats.

8. De Wet Cellar Chardonnay 2019 (Price R89.00) Nicely layered in stone fruit, buttery aromas and a well-integrated citrus/ vanilla marriage. A well balanced fruit typicity carries over to the very drinkable mouthfeel. Drink in 3-4 years. PAIRING: Fresh caught Belman stuffed with tomato and onion, coarse salt and freshly grinded black pepper, braaied to perfection.

11. Kaapzicht Chenin Blanc 2018 (Price R150.00) Ripe quince, pineapple and stone fruit with some interesting savoury undertones. A lightly textured palate, with a hint of sweetness and balancing crunchy acid, results in a brisk finish. Some of the fruit has come from a vineyard planted in 1947. Drink now or in 2-4 years. PAIRING: Juicy poolside sipper, also a winner with al fresco meals.

6. Raka Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Price R67.00) Pale straw colour with a lavish bouquet of grapefruit, kumquat, granadilla and a touch of gooseberries. The palate is complemented by mineral tones true to the decomposed sandstone. Crisp green apple finish. Drink now. PAIRING: Seawater fish, oysters, lobster and mussels, fish paella, asparagus or goat’s cheese. Also delightful on its own!

9. Wilderberg Underworld Red Blend 3 2018 (Price R195.00) Vibrant red berries including raspberry, cherry and cranberry on the nose with a peppery spice. Elegant soft tannins with a fresh acidity, balanced by juicy red fruit on the palate. Phenomenally tasty. Wonderfully tasty and 100% vegan. Drink within 2 - 3 years. PAIRING: Charcuterie , spicy meat dishes and Portobella mushroom burgers.

12. Rickety Bridge Chenin Blanc 2019 (Price R92.00) Inviting aromas of guava and white peach with underlying floral and green fig notes. A full, rich palate of tropical fruit, citrus and spice leads into a long honeyed finish. Grapes were selected from 46-year-old vines. Drink now or until the end of 2020. PAIRING: Sushi, shellfish, salads, Chinese cuisine and chicken dishes with a creamy sauce.

13. Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 2008 (Price R729.00) This 100 % Shiraz, with its warm spicy flavours and hints of coffee, strikes a fine balance between fruit and tannins, reflecting past experience and Saxenburg’s ongoing cellar and vineyard investments. Drink in 10+ years. PAIRING: Game or full-flavoured meat dishes and is ideal to mature and keep for those special winter occasions. 16. Stellekaya Hercules 2017 (Price R139.00) Notes of cherries, dark plum, tomato leaves and cracked pepper on the nose. The palate shows red cherry and soft plum flavours, tinged with tobacco spice and leather. Vibrant acidity and dry tannins. Drink now or in 4-6 years. PAIRING: Pairs well with Mediterranean foods, anti-pastas or veal with Parmesan shavings and truffle oil. 19. Bruce Jack Shiraz 2018 (Price R69.99) We love the raspberry, Indian spice and ripe plumb aromas. The palate is full and rich with dark chocolate, black forest fruit and smooth sexy tannins. Can be enjoyed now or cellared at a cool temperature for 5 years. PAIRING: Game, duck, mushrooms, stews, veal and pastas with meat ragù or burgers and BBQ ribs. Grilled beef, lamb and other roasted or braised meats.

14. Rijk’s Pinotage Reserve 2015 (Price R469.00) Multi-layered red fruit aromas of cherry, strawberry and cranberry on the nose. Expressive aromas carry through onto a rich creamy palate, lingering long after. Silky, well integrated and elegant tannins show the perfect harmony and balance. Drink now or in 10 years. PAIRING: Grilled or slowcooked sausages, beef and lamb.

17. Bruce Jack Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Price R69.99) The cool climate component from the Cape South Coast lends this wine intense crunchy green apple and lemon grass. The riper components provide juicy white peach and touch of citrus. Drink now or in 2 years. PAIRING: Seafood with Asian flavours such as lime, chilli and coriander or pea soups and dishes accompanied by pea purées too.

20. Bruce Jack Pinotage Malbec 2018 (Price R69.99) We love the fresh, intense cherry and dark chocolate aromas. The juicy soft palate is framed by warming vanilla and touch of oak. Can be enjoyed now or cellared at a cool temperature for 5 years. PAIRING: Grilled or slow-cooked sausages, beef and lamb, chicken, spaghetti with meatballs, spicy tomatillo and risotto appetizer.

15. Stellekaya Merlot 2018 (Price R146.00) A full-bodied wine with minty characters and loads of blackcurrants, hints of coffee and dry fruits. The balanced wood and acidity give this wine a well rounded lingering finish and a good cellaring potential. Drink now or in 4-6 years. PAIRING: Pairs well with berries and fruit, particularly red fruit sauces. Beef, grilled or roast beef and filet mignon.

18. Bruce Jack Chenin Blanc 2019 (Price R69.99) The older vineyard component was fermented in French barrels for depth and complexity. The wine shows exciting stone fruit aromas. The palate is a delicious medley of summer fruits and citrus. Drink now or in 3 years. PAIRING: Southeast Asian cuisine or pork chops with apples, roast chicken with roasted carrot, cauliflower and oyster mushroom.

21. Protea Chenin Blanc 2019 (Price R61.99) Appealing nose of nectarine, white peach and pear drop. In the mouth it is fresh and succulent with bright stonefruit - again peach and nectarine are obvious. Lively green melon and pear flavour too, with broad but gentle lees notes on the midpalate. Well balanced and tasty with a long, rewarding tail. Drink in 2-4 years. PAIRING: Pair with grilled fish.

22. Protea Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Price R61.99) Aromas of stone fruit, nectarine and pear drops with a light brush of flint. Juicy palate that expresses abundant tropical flavours. The pear drop, nectarine and citrus typicity are easy to find. Bright and lively acidity balances the fruity tropicality, which makes for a fleshy, appealing mouthfeel. Drink in 2-4 years. PAIRING: Chicken pie, cream-based pasta and savoury soufflé. 23. Protea Pinot Grigio 2019 (Price R61.99) Stonefruit, peach and lemon aromas are overlaid by a gentle perfume. Vibrant tangy entrance to the palate with the same stonefruit, nectarine and lemon freshness immediately apparent. Bright, light and zippy with medium body, concentration and length. An ideal summertime sipper. Drink in 2-4 years. PAIRING: Pairs well with salmon, seafood, white fish and poultry. 24. Protea Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (Price R69.99) Bold blueberry and ripe raspberry aromas. The palate is juicy and light with an abundance of supple blue and red berry fruit as well as deeply alluring with darker liquorice, earth and graphite flavours below. It’s vivacious but also serious with a considered dry, tannic element underpinning it. Drink in 3-5 years. PAIRING: Pair with beef, charcuterie, game birds and lamb.

Did you Know? You can join our Olive Oil Club today and receive the best local olive oils and olive oil products from around South Africa. You can choose how often you would like to receive them and they’ll be delivered to your door. Call: 021 492 4100 | Website: www.wineofthemonth.co.za

To purchase these wines and more, head to our website www.wineo hemonth.co.za