CONNOISSEUR’S CHOICE—A

ConnoiSSeur’S CHoiCe

A SELECTION OF TOP WINES TO TRY

1. Meerlust Chardonnay 2019

(Price r280) Very bright, polished platinum with green hue. Complex nose with pear, citrus and floral notes developing into lemon cream, oatmeal and marzipan. Medium-bodied palate, retains citrus fruit flavours and crisp acidity. Remains vivacious and fresh on the finish with clean citrus fruit and stony minerality. The wine has a long, very pleasant lingering finish. Cellar up to 6 years. PAIRING: Grilled fish.

2. Anthonij Rupert Optima 2017

(Price r209) Dark fruits and spice on the nose. Cassis, blueberry, violet, touches of cedar, cocoa and tobacco leaf mouthfeel. The palate is soft and spicy with a velvety texture and powdery fine tannins. Rich, rounded and refined, softly appealing and structured. Cellar for 10-15 years. PAIRING: Fillet with mustard and brandy sauce. 3. Meerlust Red 2019 (Price r227) Weather vagaries and Meerlust’s exacting quality requirements determine that not every vintage is worthy of our flagship red blend Rubicon. Thus is born, in rare years, our collector’s Meerlust Red 2019. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot aged in French oak for 17 months. Cellar for 8-10 years. PAIRING: Venison, game, pot roast and noble cheese.

4. Delaire Graff Sunrise Brut MCC NV

(Price r395) Green-tinged and pale lemon yellow in colour, it displays a fine and integrated mousse with aromas of fresh gooseberry on the nose with citrus notes of lime and grapefruit. The palate is delicate yet complex with subtle hints of vanilla. PAIRING: Biscuit topped chicken potpies, Tandoori kebabs or smoked salmon blinis. 5. Meerlust Rubicon 2017 (Price r455) Very deep, youthful colour, and intense almost purple hue. Quintessential Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedarwood, fennel and intense spiciness. Liquorice note also evident on the nose. The palate is full-bodied, structured but packed with fresh dark fruit and rounded, linear tannins. Cellar for 15-30 years. PAIRING: Lamb, beef, venison and poultry

6. Meerlust Merlot 2016 (Price r335) The dark fruit and opulence of the wine is immediately apparent. Intense dark brambly fruit on the nose, mulberry, liquorice and plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice. Medium-full bodied palate with refreshing acidity, structured yet silky tannins. There is a core of juiciness, opulence and richness. Cellar up to 12 years. PAIRING: Red meats, game and strong cheeses.

7. Groot Constantia Lady of Abundance

2018 (Price r229) This new blend shows beautiful complexity. Ripe plum and red cherry flavours combine with a hint of fennel and careful use of oak. The variety of fruit follows on the palate and is framed by a fine tannin structure. PAIRING: Rare roast beef with mustard and garlic dressing and roast vegetables, or flame grilled venison and grilled root vegetables.

10. Groot Constantia Cabernet

Sauvignon 2018 (Price r259) The nose shows layers of ripe black fruit with a hint of dark chocolate and Cape fynbos. The careful use of French oak adds a touch of vanilla and cinnamon to the wine. The ripe black fruit and oak flavours follows on the palate. PAIRING: Thin slices of rare roast sirloin in a red wine sauce or a beef espetada.

13. Warwick Trilogy 2013

(Price r559) Deep garnet in colour, with a ruby red rim. Aromas of cassis, lavender, cedarwood and cigar box on the first approach. As the wine breaths it shows more crème de cassis and black berries. Cellar for 5-10 years. PAIRING: Slowroasted lamb shank with creamy leak and broad bean mash.

8. Hillcrest Saartjie Malbec 2019

(Price r235) Complex flavours of black cherry and plums. There are hints of spice on the palate and lovely floral notes coming through on the nose. This is a wellbalanced wine with accessible supple tannins. Cellar for 5-7 years. PAIRING: Beef, lamb and poultry dishes.

9. Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

(Price r485) A perfumed nose filled with notes of blackcurrants, fennel, cigar box, tea leaf and “fynbos” shrub. The palate is delicate and fresh. Grainy tannins complement the earthy profile, with subtle hints of liquorice on the lengthy finish. Cellar for 10-15 years. PAIRING: Steak, slow-cooked venison, braised beef short ribs or rosemary lamb shanks.

11. Stellekaya Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 (Price r195) Intense, full bodied wine with cedar, blackcurrants and hints of cranberries. Well-balanced showing characters of sweet fruits and toastiness. The balance between fruit, acidity and wood character is good, ensuring long term cellaring. Cellar for 8-10 years. PAIRING: Slowroasted leg of lamb, beef short ribs or porcini mushroom risotto.

12. Stellekaya Hercules 2019

(Price r149 This wine shows rich concentrated flavours of red cherries and raspberries that is beautifully complemented by aromas of tomato leaves, tobacco, cloves and cracked pepper. Vibrant acidity with a smooth a soft palate with a savoury finish. drink now. PAIRING: Fresh Mediterranean foods such as antipastas or veal with Parmesan shavings and truffle oil.

14. Warwick Professor Black Pitch

Black 2017 (Price r199) The palate is rich and textured with fine grained tannins and a bright and piercing freshness delivered by the unwooded Cinsault component. The finish is dark and broody with concentration and a lingering aftertaste. drink now or up to 10 years. PAIRING: Classic roast lamb or slow-cooked oxtail.

15. Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2017

(Price r175) Dark and brooding nose of black berries and cherry compote on the nose with a hint of rosemary. The palate is rich and textured with bright red fruits and strong tannins, cigar box and dark chocolate on the finish. Cellar for up to 20 years. PAIRING: Classic roast lamb or slow-cooked oxtail.

‘Rich concentrated flavours of red cherries and raspberries’

16. Waverley Hills SMV 2015

(Price R192) Garnet-tinged mid ruby; aromas of Christmas cake, red and black berries and a hint of leather. Nicely matured, oak subtle and integrated with black cherry, liquorice and the freshness of cranberry. A poised, stylish red wine. Cellar for 10-12 years. PAIRING: A good meaty Greek moussaka, garlic and rosemary-scented roast leg of Karroo lamb or Parmesan-crusted lamb cutlets.

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‘Complex nose with pear, citrus and floral notes developing into lemon cream, oatmeal and marzipan’

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

THE HUNTER

STELLEKAYA’S ORION 2016 is inspired by the constellation Orion whose brightest star is the red giant called Betelgeuse, one thousand times larger then our sun.

Opulent, complex, and structured. This Bordeaux-styled blend has a velvety richness that coats the mouth in concentrated flavours of dark fruit, violet perfume, and sweet spice. A typical dry yet integrated tannin structure with a lingering dark berry finish. Serve this wine alongside oxtail stew or lamb shank on wilted spinach and mashed potato.