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CONNOISSEUR’S CHOICE—A
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CONNOISSEUR’S CHOICE A SELECTION OF TOP WINES TO TRY
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1. Stony Brook The Lyle 2014 MCC
(Price R235.00) Fresh citrus on the nose, with a hint of brioche from the extended lees contact. Lovely balance between brightness and richness on the palate, followed by a long, dry finish. Drink now or to be cellared for many years to come. PAIRING: A wonderful wine to accompany oysters or to be enjoyed on its own for that special celebration. 2. Quoin Rock MCC (Price R350.00) Prominent notes of green apple, honeyoats, biscuit and lime are supported by interesting mineral characters on the nose. The delicate mousse and tiny, persistent bubbles complement the crisp, refreshing acidity and creamy palate of this elegant Brut style MCC. Drink in +- 10 years from vintage. PAIRING: Enjoy with salmon tartare, oysters and sushi.
3. Flagstone Free Run Reserve
Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Price R339.00) Aromas displaying layers of fruit complexity with asparagus, green fig, citrus, passion fruit as well as a hint of guava. The palate giving this fullbodied wine a vibrant acidity and great length. Enjoy now or keep for up to 5 years. PAIRING: Enjoy with oysters, delicate fish and white meats.
4. Middelvlei Free Run Pinotage 2018
(Price R129.00) This uniquely South African variety rewards with complex flavours of raspberries, mulberries and elegant oak spices. The soft tannins are beautifully balanced by the fruit weight with creamy vanilla flavours that linger on the palate. Drink now or keep for up to 5 years. PAIRING: Grilled or slowcooked sausages, beef and lamb.
5. Glenelly Lady May 2013
(Price R505.00) Top-end Cabernet Sauvignon lives up to its Bordeaux pedigree of its legionary owner, May De Lencquesaing. It is sappy, refined and mineral. The wine is etched with underlining fruit power. It is fresh, stylish and subtle with dense age-worthy tannins and a long, tight finish. Drink now. PAIRING: Enjoy with grilled lamb, braised beef and venison.
6. Rustenberg Chenin Blanc 2019
(Price R99.00) Aromas of pineapple and yellow pear follow through to a crisp, textured palate complemented by characters of citrus. Drink now or up to 5 years from vintage. PAIRING: Enjoy with roast chicken, ceasar salad, sushi and fish dishes or simply enjoy on its own.
7. Rustenberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
(Price R105.00) The wine shows typical Cabernet Sauvignon flavour and aroma profiles of dark berries, cedar and tobacco with a well-structured and lengthy palate. Drink now or up to 10+ Years. PAIRING: Enjoy with mushroom-based dishes, barbequed meat and roast lamb
or to be enjoyed on its own. 8. Rustenberg Shiraz 2018 (Price R105.00) This Shiraz has plenty of red and black fruit on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine line of acidity, crisp tannins and expressive red berry fruit mixed with spice and cloves on the finish. Drink now or up to 10 years from vintage. PAIRING: Enjoy with spare ribs, lamb, duck and Asian
dishes or to be enjoyed on its own.
9. Rustenberg Peter Barlow 2017
(Price R498.00) A bold rich Cabernet Sauvignon with concentrated cassis, black cherries and dried herbs on the nose and palate. Drink now or up to 20+ years from vintage. PAIRING: Enjoy with slowroasted lamb, vegetable moussaka, beef steak or to be enjoyed on its own.
10. Quoin Rock Shiraz 2015
(Price R550.00) Chunky, bold and big! Very expressive of this variety in perfect balance, expressing characters of jasmine, pepper spice, melba toast and sweet vanilla, with beautiful oak and tannin integration. Drink 15 years from vintage. PAIRING: Beef, lamb and rich venison dishes, however, on its own it expresses all the characters of Shiraz.
11. Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2016
(Price R309.00) Perfume and floral aromas combine harmoniously with red cherry and spice on the nose. Flavours gracefully carry through to a savoury, spicy palate. Flavours are pure, clean red fruit flavours. Soft, well integrated tannins coat the palate. Drink in 20 years. PAIRING: Lamb, game birds and flamegrilled foods with a smoky char.
12. Wildeberg Tea Leaf 2018
(Price R125.00) Complex sandy stone fruit nose with notes of crushed granite, slightly saline. The palate has firm, highkey fruit, a broad texture and quiet persistence that persists and persists. Ultimately this is a deeply satisfying wine. Drink in 3 to 5 years. PAIRING: Fish dishes, light seafood pasta, risotto, salads and sushi.
13. DeMorgenzon DMZ Chenin Blanc
2019 (Price R116.00) Green apple, apricot, peach, hints of honey and floral aromas characterize a fresh and upfront nose. The palate is rich and well-integrated with a lingering aftertaste. Will continue to improve for 5 years from vintage. PAIRING: Enjoy with duck liver on crispy toast, otherwise enjoy with a good traditional roast chicken.
14. High Constantia Cabernet Franc
2012 (Price R399.00) A savoury herbaceous character. Complex nose melds earthiness, leather, wild herbs. Sweet, high-toned flavours of dark berries, with a peppery element with the exquisite tension between fruit, acidity, tannins. Drink in 2 to 5 years. PAIRING: Would be excellent with spicy foods such as bobotie, Thai food, venison or grilled tuna.
15. Nuiba Second Post Shiraz 2017
(Price R255.00) Plush red fruit with the oak supporting the primary Shiraz fruit flavours. The vineyards are found on the slopes of the Olifantsrivier Mountain on the Paleisheuwel Road. Dryland vineyards grown in a Rhône-like climate, are ideal for growing Shiraz. Drink in 5 years. PAIRING: Can be enjoyed with a well sauced steak or a spicy curry.
16. Stellekaya Cabernet Sauvignon
2015 (Price R189.00) The Stellekaya Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 wine shows earthy and minty notes with enticing flavours of dark fruit, tobacco and chocolate. The palate is inviting and balanced with a backbone of acidity and an integrated tannin structure. Drink now or in 8-10 years. PAIRING: Pairs well with roast
lamb or porcini mushroom risotto.
17. Stellekaya Merlot 2018
(Price R146.00) Has a deep crimson colour. This wine showcases attractive dark berry fruit with savoury and earthy notes. Elegant with juicy soft tannins and good acidity. Drink now or in 8-10 years. PAIRING: This wine pairs well with beef carpaccio, drizzled with homemade mayonnaise, topped with rocket and
Parmesan shavings.
18. Morgenster Lourens River Valley
2012 (Price R199.00) Aromas of black and red cherries, strawberry shortcake and cassis. Earthy and spicy nuances of liquorice, vanilla and sweet cinnamon. Plum, mulberry and raspberry notes. Drink now. PAIRING: Pairs well with big flavoured meat dishes as well as roast duck, poultry and ostrich served with salad and a wellaged balsamic dressing.
19. Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
(Price R275.00) Fruit from six different Stellenbosch sub-regions. Pure, focused and very well balanced, it’s a fresh, elegant expression of the variety, showing granular tannins, cassis, plum and wild herb flavours and stylish oak. Drink 4-7 years from vintage. PAIRING: Roast prime rib, delicious with any steak dish and even a classic SA braai.
20. Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon
Reserve 2016 (Price R689.00) Fruits with currants and cassis are supported by a fresh, vibrant nose. The palate shows sweet, ripe fruit balanced by round, structured and firm tannins. Balanced finish lined with a good acidity. Reveals power to improve with time. Drink 7-10 years from vintage. PAIRING: Oxtail stew, ribeye steak on the braai or beef short-rib potjie.
21. Knorhoek Chenin Blanc 2019
(Price R199.00) Beautiful citrus characters on the nose. The palate shows harmonious weight, white pear and the citrus fruit follows on from the nose to the palate, with hints of almond. Subtle and supportive oak. Has a fine mid-palate, pithy texture and vibrant fresh acids. Drink in 5 years. PAIRING: Honeyglazed ham or a melon, Mozzarella and parma ham salad.
