Wine.Musings

I recently visited South Africa, the land of rich, complicated white wines (Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, Chenin Blancs) and a whole range or vibrant fruit-forward reds (Cabernets, Merlots, Pinot Noirs, and, of course, Pinotage). After tasting 110+ wines in the trendy Cape Town and Johannesburg wine bars and visiting some of the local “wine farms” in Stellenbosch and Hemel-en-Aarde, I put together a list of the wines I loved the most. Most of these wines are available in the UK, so you can enjoy them as well!

Best Whites

1. The FMC Chenin Blanc, Ken Forrester (2023, 100% Chenin Blanc). The nose is oak, stone, oil, nuttiness. The palate is beautiful, opening with a well-balanced acidity and bringing notes of apricot and quince. Gorgeous. Like waves rolling into Jeffrey’s Bay in the morning. Retails for £37.50 from Loki Bar & Wine Shop.
2. Hope Marguerite, Beaumont (2023, 100% Chenin Blanc) Top wine from my favourite winery visit of the trip. Very pronounced honey, apple, apricot, lemon rind, marzipan, toast, slight nuttiness, delicate oak, spice. Like your grandmother’s hug. Retails for a reasonable £29 from the Wine Society.
3. Palladius, Sadie Family (2022, 100% Chenin Blanc). Sharp, nectarine, pear, honey and minerals. Vivid acidity. Like a bright light. Retails for a whooping £107 from NY Wines.
4. White, Savage (2023, blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Clairette, Chenin Blanc). A gorgeous blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Beautiful, peach, pineapple, lychee, honey, some oak. A bit cloudy, feels natural. Like a hearty laugh. Retails for £34 from Loki Bar & Wine Shop.
5. Missionvale Chardonnay, Bouchard Finlayson (2023, 100% Chardonnay). Round, creamy, rich, beautiful balance of oak (vanilla, nutmeg) and fruit (tropical, peach), slight waxiness. Exceptional. Like a perfectly composed letter. Retails for a fair value £27.50 from Tanners Wines.

Best Reds

1. Columella, Sadie Family (2022, Shiraz/Mourvedre blend). I am in love. Fruit-forward ripeness (black cherry, plum, raspberry, fig), wrapped in silky tannin and oak (chocolate, clove, violet). Like a melody played on clarinet. Retails for £107 from NY Wines.
2. Crescendo, Taaibosch Estate (2020, Bordeaux Blend). Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cab Sav blend. Beautiful length, complexity, and a lingering finish that makes you want to go back for more. Plum, blackcurrant, blackberry, accompanied by toast and soft pepper. The tannins make themselves known, but are very elegant, making this a perfectly balanced wine. Like a love letter left unread. Retails for a very reasonable £26.35 from de Burgh Wine Merchants.
3. Main Road & Dignity, Restless River (2020, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc). Oh what a fan I am. Full of smooth velvety tannins, plums, black cherry, and hint of chocolate. Truly exceptional. Like smooth jazz that just makes you vibe. Retails for £57 from Museum Wines.
4. Red, Savage (2022, Shiraz-led blend). All day, every day. A beautiful Shiraz-led blend, subtle pepper, cloves, plums, olives, black cherry, soft tannin. Very grounded and smooth. Dangerously drinkable. Like longing for something you’ve had all along. Retails for £38 from Butler’s Wine Cellar.
5. Art of Pinot Noir, Creation (2023, 100% Pinot Noir). Fine, elegant, smooth, infinitely appealing. Cherry, red currant, cranberry, violet, earthiness, leather, wood, beautifully light. Like a doe in a forest clearing. Retails for a steeply priced £61 from Great Wines Direct.

Best Dessert/Fortified

1. Vin the Constance, Klein Constantia (2017, Muscat de Frontignan). This is one of my top two dessert wines of all time. Such complexity and lightness, underlined by a perfectly balanced acidity. A delicate nose and palate full of apricot, blossom, honeysuckle, mandarin, brown sugar, sweet spice. A Mozart symphony in multi-colour. This retails for £59 from DrinksDirect and you know what? It’s absolutely worth it.
2. Not Tonight Josephine, Savage (2022, 100% Chenin Blanc). All the apricots you can imagine, grapefruit, mango, pineapple, honey, rich and kind, well balanced acidity. Like the first time you have a properly ripe apricot and realize your whole life has been a lie. This wine isn’t widely available in the UK, but you can get it from Wine Scouts in Germany for ~£29.

Overall, South African wines are of exceptional quality. Similar quality from France or California would be at least twice as expensive. Happy drinking 🙂