Cape Red Wine Dozen
Two bottles each of six delicious South African reds featuring old vine Cinsault; classic Cabernet; marvellous Merlot; a delicious Pinot Noir and, the Cape's signature red grape, Pinotage.
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Inside the case you'll get...
Cecilia, Old Vine Cinsault, Piekenierskloof, 2025
A beautifully, pure, unforced Cinsault, distinctly lighter than the Eight Gates release. Fermented in large, old, 500 litre barrels with natural yeasts it is pretty and perfumed with floral strawberry notes on the nose that follow straight through on to the gentle but concentrated palate. Sappy, refreshing and very long. An excellent red for long summer evenings, especially served ever so slightly chilled. Now-2030
The wines of Cerina van Niekerk are no stranger to SVS as for...
ColourRed
RegionPiekenierskloof
GrowerCecilia
Grape VarietyCinsault
Vintage2025
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeCEC625
Blaauwklippen Estate Merlot, Stellenbosch, 2024
It has been a while since we had a varietal Merlot in the list but this one made the grade when we did our final selection – perhaps because it actually contains 15% Petit Verdot which adds depth and complexity. Aged for 18 months in old (3rd fill) oak barrels to soften the tannins without dominating the ripe, juicy damson and mulberry fruit. Will be a fine match for beef. Now-2029.
The name Blaauwklippen translates as ‘Blue Stones’ in honour of the granite outcrops in the...
ColourRed
RegionStellenbosch
GrowerBlaauwklippen
Grape VarietyMerlot & Petit Verdot
Vintage2024
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeBLK624
Merlot
Origins
- Bordeaux region. Known by 18thC
- Now much more widely planted in Bordeaux than Cabernet Sauvignon
Characteristics
- Productive - high yielding …but early budding, so vulnerable to frost (e.g. 1956)
- In comparison to Cabernet Sauvignon: higher sugars and appealing...
Compagniesdrift, Cabernet Merlot, Western Cape, 2022
A very good Stellenbosch Cabernet-Merlot that has more than a nod in style to Bordeaux’s right bank. Medium-bodied with blackcurrant and spice from the Cabernet and plums and raspberries from the Merlot. Lovely dark core of fruit but lifted and fresh too, 7 months in 300 litre cask has added depth and weight. Very well balance and food-friendly. Claret lovers take note, particularly of the modest 13% alcohol. Now–2028
However beautiful the Cape winelands are one is never too...
ColourRed
RegionWestern Cape
GrowerCompagniesdrift
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Vintage2024
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeCPD622
Cabernet Sauvignon
The most prestigious red grape?
Origins
- Bordeaux region, as a natural cross of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc (established 1997 by DNA analysis)
- Was known as Vidure or Petit-Vidure
- Spread throughout left bank of Bordeaux, supplanting white grapes
Characteristics
- Fairly easy to grow: hardy, buds...
Domaine des Dieux, Josephine Pinot Noir, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, 2021
As the vines here age, this wine has become more refined: all into French oak, about a quarter new. This retains attractively ripe, overt strawberry and cherry fruit flavours, but is less oaky than previously. With that comes improved aromatics - that sense of expansion and interest on the palate - and also a little savouriness. Appealing, classy and complete. Now-2027
The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, which translates as Heaven on Earth, rises prettily from just west of Hermanus. When we...
ColourRed
RegionHemel-en-Aarde
GrowerDomaine des Dieux
Grape VarietyPinot Noir
Vintage2021
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
DietaryVegan
CodeDDD621
Domaine des Dieux
Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa
The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, which translates as Heaven on Earth, rises prettily from just west of Hermanus.
When we first visited in 2003 the wineries, notably Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson, were all in the lower part of the valley, but more recently plantings at the top of the valley - higher, drier, with warmer...
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Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Origins
- Ancient vine, perhaps 2,000 years old
Distant origins in France - first documented mention in France in 1375
Characteristics
- Finicky grape: notoriously difficult to grow (which is partly why it is hugely intriguing to New World...
Six Hats, Cabernet Sauvignon, Western Cape, 2024
Piekenierskloof’s Six Hats is a new label for us. We’ve shipped it following a small vintage where the Cabernet fruit went into this wine as there wasn’t enough to make the ‘regular’ Piekenierskloof estate wine. Certified Fairtrade, it has lot of juicy ripe fruit and soft, approachable tannins. An easy and fun Cape Cabernets that is well-made and very well priced. Perfect with barbecued sausages or halloumi. Now-2027
ColourRed
RegionWestern Cape
GrowerPiekenierskloof
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon
Vintage2024
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
ClosureScrewcap
CodeSIX824
Piekenierskloof
For years I had been hearing about Piekenierskloof – not as a wine producer but as a source of grapes for numerous other winemakers, young and old. I didn’t realise that Piekenierskloof wasn’t just a ward (the smallest geographical unit in the South African regional classification) but one large estate, formerly a co-operative but now owned... Discover More
Cabernet Sauvignon
The most prestigious red grape?
Origins
- Bordeaux region, as a natural cross of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc (established 1997 by DNA analysis)
- Was known as Vidure or Petit-Vidure
- Spread throughout left bank of Bordeaux, supplanting white grapes
Characteristics
- Fairly easy to grow: hardy, buds...
Piekenierskloof, Pinotage, 2023
A clean and vibrant example of South Africa’s homegrown grape, developed by Abraham Perold in the 1920s as a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault (then known as Hermitage), hence the name.
Sombre purple. Powerful and spicy - a big wine for a steak or any barbecued meat. Blackberry and dark plum fruit, heated but not jammy. Hint of beetroot and a dark chocolate note from oak ageing. Intense. Good backing tannin and plenty of fresh vigour. Now-2028
How we came to work...
ColourRed
RegionPiekenierskloof
GrowerPiekenierskloof
Grape VarietyPinotage
Vintage2023
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePIK423
Piekenierskloof
For years I had been hearing about Piekenierskloof – not as a wine producer but as a source of grapes for numerous other winemakers, young and old. I didn’t realise that Piekenierskloof wasn’t just a ward (the smallest geographical unit in the South African regional classification) but one large estate, formerly a co-operative but now owned... Discover More
Pinotage
Pinotage: a living national treasure or "the only grape variety which is carcinogenic"?
Pinotage is the one original South African grape, developed by Abraham Perold in Stellenbosch in 1925 by crossing Pinot Noir and Cinsault, then known as Hermitage.
It has the acidity of the former parent and the warm generosity of the latter. South Africans can’t make up...
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Here’s the full tasting note for...
Cape Red Wine Dozen
Two bottles each of six delicious South African reds featuring old vine Cinsault; classic Cabernet; marvellous Merlot; a delicious Pinot Noir and, the Cape's signature red grape, Pinotage.
Great choice of good-value wines in the January sales. The website is really easy to use to make up an order. Delivery, as is often the case, was within 24 hours and, as usual, was well-packed.Read More
I've bought a couple of cases recently, and many more in years gone by, and have really enjoyed their selection. They have a good range of interesting wines from some classic and some more…Read More
Judging by the wines I have had, someone is doing a very good job in selecting the wines to put before the public, and at a very fair price. Delivery from online purchases as also been quick and…Read More
Great company with good service and good prices. Highly recommended.Read More
One of my favourite independents. Been enjoying these special wines for more than 10 years. Always interesting choices, and always great value in the sales!Read More
This was yet another quick and painless transaction, as I have come to expect from SV&S.Read More
