This month's value case
Testalonga, El Bandito I Wish I was a Ninja 2020 – R 200
100% Colombard. Off-dry in style, complex and traditional. This is a aromatic, fun and refreshing Méthode Ancestrale sparkling wine and is almost like lemonade for grown-ups. No Added SO2.
Beaumont, Chenin Blanc 2020 – R 120
'Our Chenin Blanc was made from 84% Bot River fruit and 16% from the Overberg making the wine of Origin for the vintage Cape South Coast. This is the first time that we had to source from outside the Bot River ward. Yields were very low due to the drought. This vintage is a beautiful expression of the grape capturing the full flavour and potential that our terroir has to offer. It is a delicious example of cooler climate Chenin Blanc fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks. Dry, fresh and delicious!' – Winemaker
Chapoutier, Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Blanc 2018 – R 175
'Not yet bottled and mostly Grenache (there's a touch of Muscat, Grenache Gris, and Vermentino), the 2018 Cotes Du Roussillon Les Vignes De Bila Haut Blanc offers a rich yet fresh style that's going to shine on the dinner table. Crushed citrus, honeyed minerality, licorice, and a touch of quince all give way to a layered, ripe, polished white that has loads to love.' – Jeb Dunnuck, 92/100
Carinus, Syrah 2020 – R 160
Notes on the 2019 vintage: 'You can definitely taste Lukas van Loggerenberg's touch on this Polkadraai Hills Syrah, which is spicy, elegant and low in alcohol, with noticeable white pepper and charcuterie flavours, pithy acidity, savoury tannins and negligible oak. A Syrah for northern Rhône fans. Drink 2021-26.' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 93/100
Niepoort, Vertente 2017 – R 295
'The 2017 Vertente is a field blend of grapes like Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca aged for 20 months in 80% used French barriques. It comes in at 13% alcohol. This was set for bottling in about a week, but it was the final blend and out of cask. I hesitate to rate this too high, but if the Twisted red this issue seemed like the best Twisted, this might be the best Vertente. It is certainly on the shortlist. Elegant, refined, solid in the mid-palate and still filled with flavor, this is fresh and yet still very serious. It has fine structure and grip on the finish. This refined and impeccably balanced tinto is super and easily the best value point in the lineup. It can be drunk now, but it will be better this time next year, and it will hold gracefully for a reasonable time.' – Mark Squires, Wine Advocate, 92/100
Diemersdal, Pinotage 2019 – R 130
'This wine shows a complex nose of red fruits, vanilla, exotic spices, and rich dark chocolate aromas. The palate is full flavoured and smoothly textured with oriental spice, chocolate and roasted banana flavours. Our Pinotage is ready to drink, but will also benefit from another 5 years’ cellaring.' – Winemaker
100% Colombard. Off-dry in style, complex and traditional. This is a aromatic, fun and refreshing Méthode Ancestrale sparkling wine and is almost like lemonade for grown-ups. No Added SO2.
Beaumont, Chenin Blanc 2020 – R 120
'Our Chenin Blanc was made from 84% Bot River fruit and 16% from the Overberg making the wine of Origin for the vintage Cape South Coast. This is the first time that we had to source from outside the Bot River ward. Yields were very low due to the drought. This vintage is a beautiful expression of the grape capturing the full flavour and potential that our terroir has to offer. It is a delicious example of cooler climate Chenin Blanc fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks. Dry, fresh and delicious!' – Winemaker
Chapoutier, Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Blanc 2018 – R 175
'Not yet bottled and mostly Grenache (there's a touch of Muscat, Grenache Gris, and Vermentino), the 2018 Cotes Du Roussillon Les Vignes De Bila Haut Blanc offers a rich yet fresh style that's going to shine on the dinner table. Crushed citrus, honeyed minerality, licorice, and a touch of quince all give way to a layered, ripe, polished white that has loads to love.' – Jeb Dunnuck, 92/100
Carinus, Syrah 2020 – R 160
Notes on the 2019 vintage: 'You can definitely taste Lukas van Loggerenberg's touch on this Polkadraai Hills Syrah, which is spicy, elegant and low in alcohol, with noticeable white pepper and charcuterie flavours, pithy acidity, savoury tannins and negligible oak. A Syrah for northern Rhône fans. Drink 2021-26.' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 93/100
Niepoort, Vertente 2017 – R 295
'The 2017 Vertente is a field blend of grapes like Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca aged for 20 months in 80% used French barriques. It comes in at 13% alcohol. This was set for bottling in about a week, but it was the final blend and out of cask. I hesitate to rate this too high, but if the Twisted red this issue seemed like the best Twisted, this might be the best Vertente. It is certainly on the shortlist. Elegant, refined, solid in the mid-palate and still filled with flavor, this is fresh and yet still very serious. It has fine structure and grip on the finish. This refined and impeccably balanced tinto is super and easily the best value point in the lineup. It can be drunk now, but it will be better this time next year, and it will hold gracefully for a reasonable time.' – Mark Squires, Wine Advocate, 92/100
Diemersdal, Pinotage 2019 – R 130
'This wine shows a complex nose of red fruits, vanilla, exotic spices, and rich dark chocolate aromas. The palate is full flavoured and smoothly textured with oriental spice, chocolate and roasted banana flavours. Our Pinotage is ready to drink, but will also benefit from another 5 years’ cellaring.' – Winemaker
