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Wines of South Africa

Wines of South Africa
In South Africa, viticulture was introduced in the 17th century by the Dutch. It really took off in the following century, thanks to the arrival of French Huguenots with their knowledge of vines. The vineyards were ravaged at the end of the 19th century. It was only with the end of apartheid and the opening up of international markets to South African products, which had previously been boycotted, that production was able to take off again.

Today, vineyards cover some 110,000 hectares, located around Cape Town, in the south of the country, and particularly in the Stellenbosch region. Winegrowing was made possible by the Benguela sea current, which cools the country's west coast. South Africa has a system of appellations d'origine, which divides vineyards into wine-growing regions, districts and estates. The name of a vineyard or its translation cannot be used as a geographical indication; it can only be used as a brand name.

Almost 50 grape varieties are grown in South Africa today. This great diversity is due not only to the significant climatic differences in the Cape Province, but also to the enthusiasm and initiative of winemakers who are often ready to try out new varieties. Traditionally, South Africa has mainly produced white wines such as Avenir Chenin Blanc 2006 orOude Kaap 2016 (85%), but this proportion is tending to decrease due to the growing and almost exclusive export of red wines (such as Columella 2017 or Avenir Pinotage 2006).

Discover the domains of South Africa: Klein Constantia, Sadie, Man, Alheit.

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Kanonkop - Stellenbosch Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

90/100 Wine Enthusiast

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89/100 Vinous

South Africa
cabernet sauvignon
black fruits
braised lamb
ready to drink

"Cabernet Sauvignon aficionados, discover the expertise of winemaker Abrie Beeslaar in this single-vineyard cuvée from South Africa!"

"Enticing notes of cigar spice, baked plum and cassis form the nose of this wine, with a touch of cedar for added interest. Medium-bodied, it has a velvety texture thanks to silky yet structuring tannins and just enough acidity to ensure balance. The medium-length finish offers a lovely evolution from jammy black plum and black cherry to lingering sweet spice." (Wine Enthusiast 2022)

Kanonkop - Stellenbosch Estate Pinotage 2021

93/100 Decanter

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92/100 Wine Enthusiast

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91/100 Vinous

South Africa
pinotage
complex
concentrate
duck confit

"The most concentrated expression of Kanonkop Pinotage: elegant, complex, and with sublime aging potential!"

"Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar shows the complexity and ageing potential of Pinotage in his wines. The Estate collection is proof of this. This vintage offers aromas of sweet spices and berries. The palate is full-bodied, with a good concentration of raspberries and red plums. A touch of licorice lingers on the finish. This wine is still young, but ready to drink now or cellar until 2035." (Wine Enthusiast 2023)

Kanonkop - Stellenbosch Kadette Pinotage 2022

92/100 James Suckling

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88/100 Vinous

South Africa
pinotage
spicy
deep
stuffed eggplant

"The flagship cuvée from one of South Africa's great names: 100% Pinotage de Kanonkop from the sublime 2022 vintage!"

"The Pinotage Kadette 2022, aged mainly in second- and third-fill barrels, has a lively nose with scents of crushed strawberry and light licorice, veins of blue fruit emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly powdery tannins, leaning more towards pruney black fruits with, again, a hint of licorice on the nicely concentrated finish. Excellent. 2025-2029" (Vinous 2024)

Sadie Family - Swartland Treinspoor 2023

95/100 James Suckling

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95/100 Vinous

South Africa
tinta barocca
elegant
duck breast
exceptional terroir

"The estate's 100% Tinta Barocca cuvée, all the character of Swartland sublimated in a single bottle!"

"Treinspoor 2023 is a pure Tinta Barocca planted on sandstone and granite/quartz. Black fruits and Earl Grey notes flourish on the nose, which is perhaps a little Nebbiolo-like and very expressive. Bright and lively, the palate is medium-bodied, with slightly chalky tannins. It's a little like Barolo towards the grippy finish, leaving veins of blue fruit in the aftertaste. Remarkable and full of character. 2025-2040" (Vinous 2024)

Sadie Family - Swartland Pofadder 2023

96/100 Vinous

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95/100 James Suckling

South Africa
complete
deep
beautiful finish
duck parmentier

"Vinous judges this 100% Cinsault from Domaine Sadie: brilliant, effortless, and it's even better than last year's!"

"This wine has gorgeous, bewitching aromas of rhubarb, licorice, currant, citrus peel, dried rose and paprika. It's refined and elegant, medium-bodied with fine, crisp tannins that give it bite. More savory characteristics come through on a long, taut finish. Best after 2025. (James Suckling 2024)

Sadie Family - Swartland Skerpioen 2023

95/100 James Suckling

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94/100 Vinous

South Africa
chenin
salt
lime
Chinese fondue

"Tasting Sadie's Skerpioen 2023 vintage is like deliciously zesty sea spray: in very limited supply!"

"A fresh white blend that shows lime zest, sliced apples, nectarines and fennel on the nose, followed by a wet stone minerality on the palate that only adds to the purity of the fruit. It's medium-bodied, with a salty freshness that keeps you coming back for more. Drink it or keep it. (James Suckling 2024)

Sadie Family - Stellenbosch Mev. Kirsten 2023

97/100 James Suckling

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96/100 Vinous

South Africa
chenin
velvety texture
tropical fruits
oysters

"Presented on 1jour1vin for the first time, discover this 100% Chenin from Stellenbosch by Sadie, perfect from start to finish according to Vinous: very limited quantity!"

"This highly concentrated white is very rich in aroma, exhaling ripe yellow and tropical fruits, such as mango, melon, lemon curd and apple crumble. On the palate, the whole is linked to a refreshing, lemony acidity. Full-bodied and generous, yet concentrated. Chenin Blanc from the Jonkershoek Valley in Stellenbosch, with vines planted in 1905. Best after 2025. (James Suckling 2024)

Sadie Family - Olifants River Skurfberg 2023

96/100 James Suckling

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95/100 Vinous

South Africa
chenin
aromatic
white fruit
long finish
langoustines

"Sadie offers us a 100% Chenin cuvée from 80-year-old vines grown at the foot of the sublime Citrusdal Mountains!"

"The Skurfberg 2023, a pure Chenin on sandstone soils (which Sadie said created "earthy" whites), has a very intense nose. It's oily and resinous, with grapefruit notes and a hint of peach skin, very well defined but needing some time in the glass. Taut and fresh, the palate is very lime-centric on entry and bursts with energy from start to finish. It blossoms gently on the finish. This is an extremely gifted Skurfberg. 2026-2046" (Vinous 2024)

Sadie Family - Swartland Palladius 2022

97/100 James Suckling

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97/100 Vinous

South Africa
red berries
voltage
magic
back of cod

"Made from a blend of 11 grape varieties from 17 Swartland vineyards, the rave reviews for this cuvée deem it even better than the 2021 vintage!"

"This is a white wine of impressive complexity and richness, the fruit of a blend of 11 grape varieties from 17 Swartland vineyards. Aromas of red fruit, sliced pear, green papaya, flint, grapefruit and hazelnut are all present, followed by a full-bodied palate with a caressing, supple texture. Seamless, it evolves towards spice after a while. Even better than 2021? To be enjoyed after 2025. (James Suckling 2024)

Sadie Family - Swartland Columella 2022

98/100 James Suckling

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97/100 Vinous

South Africa
beautiful finish
silky tannins
beef tenderloin
cuvée phare

"Incredibly complex and fantastic according to James Suckling, taste the best of South Africa!"

"Deep, seductive aromas of violets, green tea, coffee beans, orange, blackberry, peach pit and smoked paprika burst from the glass. The wine is homogeneous, layered and incredibly complex, with medium body and polished, elegant tannins. It has a lovely luminosity of fruit and floral sweetness on the midpalate. Concentrated on the finish. Fantastic. Try after 2026. (James Suckling 2024)

Alheit Vineyards - Olifants River Huilkrans 2023

18/20 Jancis Robinson

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93/100 Vinous

South Africa
chenin
salt
veal sauté with mushrooms
rough diamond

"The excellence of Domaine Alheit's old vines: with striking depth and complexity, discover the 2023 vintage of the range!"

"On the nose, Huilkrans is unexpectedly sweet, almost misty. It smells faintly of petrichor, the sweetness of white melon and custard apple. The tension on the palate rises so imperceptibly that by the time you realize it, it has the power of a storm. A gust of citrus and rock salt. It recalls the Japanese word "kogarashi": a cold wind that signifies the arrival of winter, symbolizes the passage from one state to another and is accompanied by its own perfume, the essence of winter. Then the gust passes and, in the tranquil pool left behind, you can taste melon skin and grilled lime peel, choisya flowers and fennel seeds. You really get the impression that this wine has a story to tell. 2026-2035" (Jancis Robinson 2024)

Alheit Vineyards - Western Cape Hereafter Here 2023

16++/20 Jancis Robinson

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93/100 Vinous

South Africa
chenin
accessible
purity
outstanding
red mullet

"Taste all the expertise of the sublime Alheit estate in this accessible cuvée deemed tasty, disarmingly pure, and remarkable!"

"Hereafter Here 2023 has a disarmingly pure bouquet, with aromas of yellow plum, candle wax and a touch of crushed stone, all deliciously defined and concentrated. The palate is very well balanced, with an electric line running from start to finish. Lively flavors unfold on the palate, with hints of grapefruit peel and a generous touch of ginger towards the end. This is a remarkable Hereafter Here. 2025-2035" (Vinous 2024)

Alheit Vineyards - Western Cape Cartology 2023

17++/20 Jancis Robinson

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95/100 Vinous

South Africa
chenin
silky
juicy
filet mignon

"One of the most elegant bouquets to be found in a South African white of this vintage according to critic Vinous!"

"Cartology 2023 contains a little more Semillon in the blend this year. As usual, it's a blend of what he considers his best parcels. It has one of the most elegant bouquets to be found in a South African white of this vintage: yellow fruit, a hint of peach skin, lanolin and stiffly beaten egg whites. The delineation and purity are astounding. The palate is very well balanced, with a lively, taut opening. The acidity of this wine is formidable, it's full of tension and complexity and ends with a mineral finish with a slightly waxy/resinous texture. Very long. Very elegant. 2025-2040" (Vinous 2024)

Alheit Vineyards - Olifants River Magnetic North Mountain 2023

18/20 Jancis Robinson

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95/100 Vinous

South Africa
chenin
purity
herbaceous
truffle brouillade

"According to Jancis Robinson, this pure, mineral cuvée from Alheit offers a spellbinding tasting experience thanks to its complexity!"

"The 2023 Magnetic North comes from vines not grafted onto their own roots, resulting from massal selection, but whose exact origin has been lost to time. It has a vibrant bouquet with a little more energy than the Huilkrans, extremely mineral with notes of sea spray and gunflint. The palate is very pure and pixelated, perfect in terms of acidity, with a hint of menthol on the finish. Remarkable." (Vinous 2024)

Alheit Vineyards - Stellenbosch Nautical Dawn 2023

17,5/20 Jancis Robinson

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95/100 Vinous

South Africa
chenin
elegant
long finish
grapefruit

"Cuvée de la propriété never before presented on 1jour1vin : superb according to Vinous, shivering with balance according to Jancis Robinson!"

"The 2023 Nautical Dawn comes from the granite soils of Sinai Hill and was assembled at Cartology until 2017. Chalk powder, a touch of dry honey and lanolin appear on aeration. The delineation is superb and the wine is full of energy. The palate is wonderfully balanced, but perhaps a little more tropical than Fire by Night. Notes of orange pith and pear develop through to the lively finish, with a hint of lemongrass in the aftertaste. Superb. 2025-2038" (Vinous 2024)