The unusual suspects
Looking for a great wine? Look for our Signature Series. You won't find single-varietal wines this good (at such a bargain) anywhere else. Allan Mullins went in search of six brilliant winemakers to help him blend standout wines ready to open now. The result? A winning collection of wines they are so proud of, they went ahead and autographed the bottles!
Cabernet Sauvignon: Gyles Webb, Thelema
Gyles is an exceptionally talented winemaker. We're told, the Queen of England insisted on drinking his Sauvignon Blanc when she visited South Africa.
Merlot: Frans Smit, Spier
"Maat, nou gaan ons blend" Fran always says with palpable excitement. He loves everything about his job, and he's so good, it was difficult to decide which cultivar suits him best.
Syrah: Carl van der Merwe, De Morgenzon
Warm and engaging, Carl's charm not only makes people feel good, but also has a postive effect on his wines. There is never a doubt that the final blend will be the best possible result.
Chardonnay: Danie de Wet, De Wetshof
When Danie talks about his wines, it's as if they are his children. He knows their strenghths and weaknesses and makes sure their characteristics shine through.
Sauvignon Blanc: Duncan Savage, Savage Wines
An avid surfer, no wonder his wine has such an enervating expression of freedom to it.
Chenin: RJ Botha, Kleine Zalze
Blending with RJ Botha was an action-packed experience. He's perfetionist nature meant we tasted a number of sample bottles from different vineyards and made up blends with different percentages. Finally we hit perfection.
Signature Cabernet Sauvignon
In 1980, Gyles Webb bought Thelema Mountain Vineyards, a high-lying farm on the Helshoogte Mountains outside Stellenbosch. The wines were an immediate success. The tiniest hint of mint give the Thelema Cabernets a delicious edge.
Tasting notes: A shimmering deep ruby colour. On the nose there is classic blackcurrant and toasty oak spice. An elegant yet concentrated fruit-driven palate gives way to a lingering ripe finish.
Drink it with: A large medium-rare sirloin steak with Béarnaise sauce.
Signature Merlot
The south-facing, unirrigated vines for this Merlot lie on a sloping vineyard a mere 20km from the sea, giving them the full benefit of the ocean's cooling sea breezes.
Tasting notes: Perfumed violet notes introduce black cherry, cassis, subtle mint and dark chocolate flavours on the nose, with 18 months of maturation in French oak barrels has resulted in a velvety rich palate and well-integrated tannins.
Drink it with: Karro lamb with mint sauce, roast potatoes and grilled vegetables.
Signature Chardonnay
The soils of the De Wetshof Robertson vineyards have a strong concentration of clay and limestone, ideal to provide the flavours, structure and texture for fine-quality Chardonnay.
Tasting notes: The nose has attractive citrus, overlaid with layers of peach and apricot. The palate balances layers of fruit with vanilla and wood spice, creating a feast of mouth-filling flavours and a long, lingering aftertaste.
Drink it with: Seared yellowfin tuna in a black pepper crust, served with green beans and baby potatoes.
Signature Sauvignon Blanc
Duncan Savage's mastery of Sauvignon Blanc was honed on the Noordhoek slopes of Cape Point Vineyards and these Durbanville grapes have his required "maritime influence," which gives the Sauvignon Blanc its classic expressive fruit. His inclusion of wooded Semillon adds mouthfeel and texture.
Tasting notes: Aromas of granadilla and ripe gooseberry with luscious summer fruits and underlying notes of lime and grapefruit. A richly textured palate with a sea-breeze freshness
Drink it with: Braaied snoek or yellowtail