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Is there anything better (and more romantic) than whiling away a wintry evening in the Cape with a big glass of beautiful local red wine in front of the fire? Hardly! And with winter in full swing—the north-westerly winds bringing rain and plummeting temperatures from the Antarctic—we could all use a little warming of the cockles! Here are dk villas’ favourite red wines from the Cape’s highly esteemed cellars and wine routes….
Roodeberg Red 2018
Tasting notes: Roodeberg has been a part of the fibre of the South African wine culture since 1949, making it one of the country’s iconic wines.The Roodeberg Red—a classic blend of a Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot—shows aromatic layers of fresh red fruit, cassis, and pencil shavings with undertones of tobacco and dark chocolate.The palate is beautifully layered and soft with nuances of cedar oak and dark plums, extending to a lingering finish.
Cost: R121, available from www.wine.co.za
La Motte Pierneef Collection Syrah Viognier
Tasting notes: This extraordinarily elegant wine hails from the cellars of La Motte wine estate in Franschhoek and is a blend of 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier. Mulberry fruit and pepper spice are prominent, while integrated oak gives depth on the nose. Thisred-and-white wine blend is soft, silky, and easy on the palate, with finesse and freshness on the finish. Its rich, fruity style makes it a versatile partner to food, too!
Cost: R280, available from www.La-Motte.co.za
Holden Manz Proprietors’ Blend 2015
Tasting notes: Located in the top southern-most corner of the Franschhoek Valley, the 22-hectare Holden Manz Wine Estate presented this maiden vintage of blended Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrahin 2019. The wine delivers a perfumed nose of black cherries, hibiscus, and raspberry, and hints of cedar wood and cherry pipe tobacco. The tannins are soft, voluptuous, and well integrated and the palate rich, creamy, silky smooth, and cassis fresh.This is an ultra-premium wines made for the discerning wine connoisseur!
Cost: R 250, available from www.holden-manz-wines.myshopify.com
Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend 2018
Tasting notes: Of all the very fine red wines made in Stellenbosch and elsewhere in the Cape today, the name Kanonkop is consistently among those at the top of the lists compiled by critics, judges, collectors, and buyers. The Kadette Cape Blend is a medium-bodied wine with a deep ruby red colour and notes of red and black fruits on the nose, a well-balanced structure, and flavours of dark chocolate and blackberries. We love it because it’s a versatile, affordable, and reliably excellent red for every occasion!
Cost: R115, available from www.kanonkop.co.za
Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Tasting notes: The Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark ruby red wine with an aromatic nose of red berry fruit, sweet spice, and hints of vanilla and oak. This full-bodied, fruit-driven wine by winemaker Niel Bester delivers blackberry fruit, cedar notes, dark chocolate, and vanilla underscored by a firm, ripe tannin structure andlingering sweet red berry fruit…an absolute must for this winter!
Cost: R250, available from www.vinoteque.co.za
Steenberg Nebbiolo 2016
Tasting notes: On appearance, this unusual (for South Africa) wine is slightly brick red with a clear yet bright hue. The bouquet displays notes of savoury strawberry compote, aniseed and truffle, along with notes of leather and red cherry. Steenberg’s Nebbiolo (an Italian red varietal) displays typically tart acidity and grippy tannins, accompanied with hints of sour cherry, raspberry and tobacco leaf. Sound delicious? It also scored 4.5 stars in the Platter’s Wine Guide 2019!
Cost: R295, available from www.steenbergfarm.com
Lozärn Carménère 2017
Tasting notes: Another unusual varietal for South Africa, the Lozärn Carménère hails from the fertile soils of Doornbosch farm in the Breede river valley. While this wine is still very young, the intense cherry notes on the nose and deep purple plums underscored by softer notes of mocha are delightful. Only 2,000 bottles were made so if you manage to get your hands on one, stash it away somewhere dark and cool and keep it for a few years before cracking it open with someone special.
Cost: R495, available from www.lozarn.co.za
Allesverloren Tinta Barocca 2017
Tasting notes: Situated on the south-eastern slopes of the Kasteelberg near Riebeek West, Allesverloren is the oldest estate in the Swartland Wine of Origin district and is renowned for its red wines and Fine Old Vintage. Its Tinta Barocca is anelegant, medium to full-bodied wine with intense berry fruit, subtle chocolate, vanilla, and oak spice aromas, well-structured tannins, and a lingering finish. It’s been a staple of wine and bottle store shelves for decades and for good reason!
Cost: R158, available from www.wine.co.za
Neethlingshof Estate Pinotage 2018
Tasting notes: From the gorgeous and historic Stellenbosch estate of Neethlingshof comes this ruby red, medium-bodied Pinotage, which bursts with berry flavours and fruity aromas of cinnamon, plum, and prunes, all supported by a powerful tannic backbone. Neethlingshof Estate’s vine roots extend back to the earliest years of winemaking at the Cape. In fact, grapes were already being produced on the farm by 1705!
Cost: R110, available from www.neethlingshof.co.za
Excelsior ‘Evanthius’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting notes: The Excelsior ‘Evanthius’ Cabernet Sauvignon pays homage to a champion racehorse that was imported by Excelsior in 1913 and went on to win many titles in South Africa, including that of Rosebank’s Champion Stallion. Made from the oldest vines on the farm, this double-gold Michelangelo award winner is a deep ruby red in colour with a black core: full-bodied with aromas of blackcurrants, chocolate, and cedar. This Cabernetis rich, but with soft tannins and a long finish.
Cost: R170, available from www.excelsior.co.za
