Cape Classics Case Offer – World class wines from South Africa

“The best Cape wines are world class and represent outstanding value for money” Tim Atkin MW

Cape Classics Case Offer – excellent quality and variety

The quote from Tim Atkin MW Special Report on South Africa 2019 underlines what this Cape Classics Case Offer is all about. 

Barton Chenin Blanc 2022  Walker Bay  (1 bottle)

Dry, full-flavoured Chenin Blanc with a zingy palate of pears together with tinges of apricot  and guava, finished off with a lime finish and good length. This wine is made by hand-picked grapes in Barton’s vineyards in the Botriver area on the cooler south slopes of the Kogelberg HIlls, which are cooled by Atlantic breezes from Walker Bay.  After fermentation, the wine is left on the lees for 4 months before racking and bottling. Chenin Blanc is a grape which ages particularly gracefully, and this is an excellent example which is still drinking well. It is a good food wine with great length.

Strandveld First Sighting Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Elim – Cape Agulhas (1 bottle)

(Double Gold Michelangelo Awards S.Africa 2021: 4 stars Platters Wine Guide SA)

Wonderfully fresh and elegant herbaceous aromas of tropical fruit and elderflower are followed by an expressive, beautifully balanced, and fresh light gooseberry flavours with terrific length. This aptly named First Sighting Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Southern most winery in South Africa, just 9 kilometres from the sea, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean off Cape Agulhas, Here the winds can be so strong that vineyard workers find it hard to stand up! This is a cool climate South Africa and well-respected winemaker Conrad Vlok focusses on producing excellent quality grapes and many of their wines have achieved accolades. You can read more about Strandveld on our News & View Page.

De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2022 (1 bottle)

(Gold Medal, Veritas Competition South Africa)

Fresh pears and peaches with hints of citrus and butterscotch aromas. This unoaked Chardonnay is full, yet zesty and a perfect wine with fish. Peach and pear flavours mingle with light buttery notes and zingy mineral flavours, providing a clean, long finish. This is quite Chablis-like and it derives its excellent flavours and texture from its extended lees contact (around 5 months with weekly stirring!). We have many fans of this well-balance, fresh Chardonnay. Johann De Wet says the 2022 vintage will surpass the 2021 vintage, which received excellent reviews from the Wine Spectator and Tim Atkin MW. This wine consistently punches above its price level and the 2018 vintage was judged as one of the top 10 Chardonnays in the World.

Three men in a Tub with a Rubber Duck 2020 (1bottle)

The playful title of Three men in a Tub, shows how old world meets new, in a wine that has the characteristics of a refined French blend with a strong fruit focus. This is a medium-bodied, elegant red blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a touch of Mourvedre. A very appealing red which combines succulent blackcurrant and cherry fruits with a fine structure, very smooth tannins and excellent length. There is a great story behind this wine which is produced by the three men, Kevin, Jacques and Raymond of Black Elephant Vintners, based in Franschhoek who call themselves ‘Rebels of the Vine’. One of our new finds of 2023 – this wine has been extremely popular – a must-try wine.

Strandveld First Sighting Shiraz 2019 Elim – Cape Agulhas (1 bottle)

(4 Stars Platters SA Guide)

Your attention is immediately drawn by fresh blackberry and blackcurrant aromas tinged with spicy black pepper and fynbos notes. This is an elegant Shiraz and we would prefer to call it a Syrah as it has juicy black fruit flavours with savoury tannins, subtle oak and a long spicy finish. It is made from 85% Syrah, with small amounts of Grenache, Mourvedre and Viognier in the blend, emulating a refined but approachable Rhone style red. A classy, smooth and structured red from cool climate Elim.

Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2019/20  Stellenbosch (1 bottle)

(95 Points & Best Value Red South Africa: Neal Martin (wine critic) Vinous S.Africa: 96/100 & 5 Stars Platters Guide)

Smoky blackberries and hints of leather aromas draw you in to savour the succulent, spicy black fruit flavours coupled with firm structure and length; a very moreish, fresh and full-bodied at the same time!

The 2019 vintage is superb and will age gracefully, if you could leave it that long! It is a terrific example of Cabernet Franc with a tiny addition of Malbec. The result is a like a succulent Loire or even a Bordeaux red, that is stylish, rich but elegant and above all approachable, with a nice balance of fruit and integrated tannins. Bruwer Raats just loves the underated Cabernet Franc grape, and has made it his mission to bring out the best from his 25 – 35 year-old-vines grown in dolomite granite soils of Stellenbosch. The grapes for this wine are hand-picked and hand-selected.