This month's value case
Mulderbosch, Sauvignon Blanc 2019 – R 110
'One-third matured for six months in older 500-litre French oak barrels. Blackcurrant, citrus, white peach plus a pleasant herbal note on the nose. The palate has lovely weight and poise – a dense core of fruit to go with bright acidity, the finish long and saline.' – Winemag Prescient Top 20 Wines South Africa 2020, 94/100
Raats, Original Chenin Blanc 2019 – R 140
'Benchmark chenin that punches way above its weight, 2019 follows form, offering remarkable value, consistency & regional character. Tank fermented, complex, expressing fruit ripeness & purity. Touch less concentration than 2018 (93 pts).' – Platter's Guide, 4.5* (91/100)
Hartenberg, Chardonnay 2018 – R 150
'This is the second-tier Chardonnay at Hartenberg, but it's an ambitious wine at the price from Carl Schultz, with 20% new wood and 10% malolactic. Mealy, toasty and showing a nice combination of citrus, toast and baking spice flavours. Drink 2020-24.' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 92/100
The Winery of Good Hope, Mountainside Syrah 2019 – R 125
'Our two mature Syrah vineyards are planted on the decomposed granite soils of the Helderberg mountainside overlooking False Bay. Here the vines benefit from the cooling breezes of the famous Cape Doctor, the South-Easterly wind which blows off the ocean only a few kilometres away. The rocky, gravelly soil helps to produce balanced and finely textured wines which show restrained fruit, lovely spice and fynbos notes.' – Winemaker
Chapoutier, Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Rouge 2018 – R 175
'The 2018 Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Les Vignes De Bila Haut showed nicely, with both freshness and richness, Clean blackberry, currants, violets, and a kiss of minerality all emerge from the glass, and it's medium-bodied, with beautiful depth of fruit and a great finish.' – Jeb Dunnuck, 91-93/100
Rustenberg, John X Merriman 2019 – R 205
Notes on the 2018 vintage: 'It may not (quite) scale the same heights as the 2017, but this five-way Bordeaux red blend is still a very assured wine from the Barlows. Cassis and red berry fruit flavours are framed by 35% new wood, with a sprig of mint adding extra perfume. Drink 2022-27.' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 93/100
'One-third matured for six months in older 500-litre French oak barrels. Blackcurrant, citrus, white peach plus a pleasant herbal note on the nose. The palate has lovely weight and poise – a dense core of fruit to go with bright acidity, the finish long and saline.' – Winemag Prescient Top 20 Wines South Africa 2020, 94/100
Raats, Original Chenin Blanc 2019 – R 140
'Benchmark chenin that punches way above its weight, 2019 follows form, offering remarkable value, consistency & regional character. Tank fermented, complex, expressing fruit ripeness & purity. Touch less concentration than 2018 (93 pts).' – Platter's Guide, 4.5* (91/100)
Hartenberg, Chardonnay 2018 – R 150
'This is the second-tier Chardonnay at Hartenberg, but it's an ambitious wine at the price from Carl Schultz, with 20% new wood and 10% malolactic. Mealy, toasty and showing a nice combination of citrus, toast and baking spice flavours. Drink 2020-24.' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 92/100
The Winery of Good Hope, Mountainside Syrah 2019 – R 125
'Our two mature Syrah vineyards are planted on the decomposed granite soils of the Helderberg mountainside overlooking False Bay. Here the vines benefit from the cooling breezes of the famous Cape Doctor, the South-Easterly wind which blows off the ocean only a few kilometres away. The rocky, gravelly soil helps to produce balanced and finely textured wines which show restrained fruit, lovely spice and fynbos notes.' – Winemaker
Chapoutier, Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Rouge 2018 – R 175
'The 2018 Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Les Vignes De Bila Haut showed nicely, with both freshness and richness, Clean blackberry, currants, violets, and a kiss of minerality all emerge from the glass, and it's medium-bodied, with beautiful depth of fruit and a great finish.' – Jeb Dunnuck, 91-93/100
Rustenberg, John X Merriman 2019 – R 205
Notes on the 2018 vintage: 'It may not (quite) scale the same heights as the 2017, but this five-way Bordeaux red blend is still a very assured wine from the Barlows. Cassis and red berry fruit flavours are framed by 35% new wood, with a sprig of mint adding extra perfume. Drink 2022-27.' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 93/100
