South Africa
2018 Kanonkop, Paul Sauer, Stellenbosch 6x75cl
"Inky crimson, almost black at the core. Dark, spicy, intense, powerful but introverted now. Concentrated black fruit, lovely depth and muscular richness but without being a body-builder wine. As it... opens in the glass, peppery with pure cassis and just a tiny and attractive hint of leafiness. Even a touch of violets, which is unusual on a wine dominated by the Cabernets. Chewy, long and satisfying. Dark-chocolate aftertaste. Powerful, unreconstructed, classic. Big but all beautifully in harmony. Great length. " 17.5 pts., Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
£240 / Case£40 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2019 Taaibosch, Crescendo 6x75cl
"The 2019 Crescendo is a Cabernet Franc-based blend (65%) from 20-year-old vines or older, matured for 12 months in French oak then another year in foudres and concrete. That Cabernet Franc drives... the aromatics with wild strawberry, blackberry, cooked meat and brown spices, touches of bell pepper emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with a slightly grainy texture, quite linear and redolent of a decent Saint-Emilion, exhibiting impressive weight and grip on the finish. Excellent." 93 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£115 / Case£19.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2016 Glenelly, Lady May, Stellenbosch 6x75cl
"The 2016 blend throws a particularly dark, opaque red/black colour in the glass. Dark and foreboding but also ever so inviting at the same time. The aromatics are quite defined with perhaps the... Cabernet Franc component currently punching way above its weight of 6% with seductive notes of freshly shaved cedar lead pencil spice, graphite, iron filings, iodine and the now hallmark Lady May character of dark, black, menthol cassis and peppermint crisp milk chocolate nuances. The palate is wonderfully suave and sleek, creamy and mouth coating with an accessibility and generosity of black and blueberry fruits that is very comforting and familiar. But just when you think the mouthfeel is all about silky tannins and fleshy black fruit concentration, the delicious tangy acids kick in to land this Hercules of a wine cleanly and effortlessly on the runway without even a hiccup. Like so many 2016 super-premium Cape Bordeaux blends from Stellenbosch, this wine thrills, seduces the senses and certainly impresses for the vintage. Drink from release or cellar for 10 to 15 years".94-95pts, Greg Sherwood MW, winemag.co.za
£165 / Case£27.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2020 Raats, MR Mvemve Raats Compostella, Stellenbosch 6x75cl
“Never made with exactly the same blend in any two vintages, the 2020 is a classic Cape Bordeaux assemblage of Total production of only 1,000 x 6. The wine displays a real intensity in the glass... with a ruby red rim and a red / black plum heart. The aromatics are vibrant and fabulously perfumed, bursting from the glass with expressive notes of red and black berry fruits, black currant, raspberry, red and black cherry, before notes of earthy blueberry emerge with suggestions of pressed violets, lavender, sweet sandalwood, star anise and graphite spice. On the palate, the vintage’s regal elegance emerges with exhilarating acids framing the plush opulent red and black berry fruits, saline cassis, tart red cherry and a blueberry confectionary generosity. Tasting the wine with Bruwer Raats, inevitable comparisons were made to the iconic 2017 MR, with both wines sharing a beautifully bright acid freshness and a weightless concentration of pure berry fruits with only the slightest suggestion of vanilla oak spice. This really is a wine with a mixed palette of colours, flavours and fruits and the most seamlessly elegant, finessed velvety tannins. Following on from the 2018 blockbuster, with no 2019 MR produced, this 2020 is a bold, enchanting, characterful wine full of precision that trumpets the return of this incredible benchmark Cape classic. A breath taking wine on so many levels. Drink from 2024 to 2045+.
98 points
Greg Sherwood MW
£315 / Case£52.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2017 Klein Constantia, Vin De Constance, Constantia 6x50cl
"Lustrous mid gold. Dried apricot, orange blossom and citrus peels on the nose, suffused with nutmeg, clove and coffee cream, and an earthy, spicy, saffron-like note. Richly sweet and unctuously... textured, but with a streak of acidity that balances beautifully, and gives a preserved grapefruit and lemon flavour. Fantastic length." 18 pts., Tim Jackson MW, jancisrobinson.com
£300 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2017 Klein Constantia, Vin De Constance, Constantia 3x150cl
"Lustrous mid gold. Dried apricot, orange blossom and citrus peels on the nose, suffused with nutmeg, clove and coffee cream, and an earthy, spicy, saffron-like note. Richly sweet and unctuously... textured, but with a streak of acidity that balances beautifully, and gives a preserved grapefruit and lemon flavour. Fantastic length." 18 pts., Tim Jackson MW, jancisrobinson.com
£375 / Case£125 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2016 Kanonkop, Paul Sauer, Stellenbosch 6x75cl
"The 2016 Paul Sauer is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc matured for 24 months in 100% new oak. It has a supremely well defined bouquet of pure blackberry,... boysenberry and violet aromas, the oak seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, perfectly pitched acidity and a caressing texture. This was actually tasted after a fantastic 1994 Paul Sauer was opened the previous night; who is to say that it will not age as well over the next quarter-century? Not only is this a superb wine, but it surely represents one of the best quality-to-price ratios in the world. " 96 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£330 / Case£55 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2021 Alheit Vineyards, Cartology Bushvines, Western Cape 6x75cl
"The 2021 Cartology is a worthy follow-up to the 2020. It unfurls gradually on the nose with honeysuckle and light yellow plum and mirabelle scents, a mineral undertow that stealthily gains... prominence. The palate is very well balanced with just a killer line of acidity; Nashi pear and yellow plum commingle towards a resinous finish. After 10 minutes, it really beginning to fire on all cylinders - another magnificent Cartology. Superb." 95 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£162 / Case£27 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2017 Paul Cluver, Seven Flags Chardonnay, Elgin 6x75cl
"The 2017 Seven Flags Chardonnay was matured in French oak barrels for nine months using 31% new oak, the rest second- and third-fill. The nose is a little more closed than the Estate Chardonnay at... this early juncture, although there is a brooding intensity here. This is well defined, displaying hints of dried honey and white peach with aeration. The palate is fresh and crisp with hints of Golden Delicious and orange peel, the oak very well integrated and with an almost Meursault-like, nutty finish. Give this two or three years in bottle. Excellent. " 93 pts, Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£280 / Case£46.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur NV Glenelly, Lady May, Stellenbosch Mixed Case 10.11.12 6x75cl
Estate-packed mixed 6-bottle wooden case containing 2 bottles each of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 vintages
Glenelly Estate Mixed Case (2 bottles each of 2010, 2011 and 2012 vintages)
2010 - 93 pts www.decanter.com
2011 - 95pts Tim Atkin MW
2012 - 95pts Tim Atkin MW
£185 / Case£30.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2019 Klein Constantia, Vin De Constance, Constantia 6x50cl
"The 2019 Vin de Constance... has an understated nose, almost Sauternes-like even if it does not contain an ounce of botrytis. Subtle nutty aromas percolate through the wild honey and quince scents,... wax resin and lanolin. The palate is medium-bodied and very pure. Disarmingly fine acidity, it is slightly Germanic towards the finish. with a hint of lemongrass lingering on the aftertaste. This is a superb Vin de Constance under the tenure of Matt Day that is a step closer to what you might confusingly call a non-sweet dessert wine." 97 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£270 / Case£45 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2017 Kanonkop, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 6x75cl
£180 per case of 6 bottles IB
"The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon has a glorious, feisty bouquet of blackberry, wild strawberry and cassis aromas that burst from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with... supple tannins, a silky-smooth texture and a cohesive, polished finish that is irresistible. Simply a top-class Cabernet Sauvignon." 92 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£180 / Case£30 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate