This Zin brings aromas of crushed red raspberry, licorice, and cherry liqueur on the nose. The palate offers zippy acidity and plush tannin, with flavors of berry coulis, purple flowers, and cinnamon on the finish.

Concentrated aromas of red raspberry, cherry liqueur, spiced plum, and toasty spices jump from the glass on the nose of this wine. The palate delivers plush tannin, balanced acid, and flavors of plum compote, cherry skin, licorice, and purple flowers before a long and supple finish.

Originally conceived as a project focused solely on Chardonnay, Capensis has now
introduced its first red wine, the Capensis 2023 Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Silene,
which I tasted at the Cape Town 2025 wine fair. Sourced from Helderberg, located between
Somerset West and False Bay, the wine is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot
and 6% Cabernet Franc, though it is varietally labeled as Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark fruit
flavors are layered with light spice and a subtle note of grilled herbs or lavender, all carried
by the freshness that defines this maritime-influenced site. Aged for 14 months in French
oak with 35% new wood, the wine reflects a season marked by significant rainfall in 2023,
making careful vineyard work essential on the Helderberg’s wind-cooled slopes and welldrained decomposed granite soils.

Evolving into its own distinct identity within the portfolio, the Capensis 2023 Stellenbosch
Silene Chardonnay reveals zippy acidity, bright tropical fruit and a strong sense of
freshness. The winemaking mirrors the established Capensis approach, with élevage in
larger-format foudre and new vessels being introduced from Stockinger. There is an
immediate reductive snap on opening, reinforcing the wine’s tension and energy, while the
maritime influence and decomposed granite soils of Stellenbosch contribute clarity.
Production will drop in 2024 due to wind damage during flowering. The 2023 vintage proved
terrific for whites, thanks to later ripening conditions, though the season’s rainfall made it
more challenging for red varieties.

Most of the grapes were sourced from vineyards with a maritime influence in Stellenbosch,
producing a Chardonnay that has a fresh aroma with subtle fruit notes and a hint of
saltiness. These saline notes carry through on the palate, where they blend with flavors of
peaches and hints of flowers. The long finish is elevated by herbal touches. Sovereign Wine
Imports. —J.V

Dark and packed with black cherry, blackberry, cassis, iron and tobacco flavors, this red reveals the muscular side of Chianti Classico from a hot, dry vintage. Dissolves into a ripe, well-balanced aftertaste, with a lasting impression of sweet fruit. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2028 through 2043.

Dark and packed with black currant, blackberry, violet, iron and spice aromas and flavors, this red is inviting but nonetheless solidly built, with a layer of dense, dusty tannins plying the finish. Pure and intense. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2028 through 2042.

The 2024 White Blend is a curious blend of 80% Assyrtiko, 19% Sémillon and 1% Malvasia Bianca, all from the Alexander Mountain estate. It’s outrageously distinctive and flat-out delicious. There’s so much texture here. Chalky, grippy, zippy and lifted, the 2024 oozes character. White flowers, sour orange, white pepper and lemon oil pop from the glass. What an expressive, engaging white.

The 2022 Chardonnay Zayante Vineyard is a richer, riper style for the Santa Cruz Mountains, certainly amplified by the warm growing season. Fermented and aged in barrel for six months, then finished in stainless for a further six, the 2022 delivers layers of apricot, orange curd and honeyed tropical fruit. A thin line of mouthwatering acids enlivens the finish, closing with a spark of toasted spice. Very well done, and particularly well balanced.

This is flush with vivid boysenberry and cherry puree notes infused with a violet accent. The finish is pure in feel as this streams through, with a subtle rose hip twinge to keep everything grounded. Drink now through 2031. 316 cases made.

Cherry and raspberry coulis notes are pure, fresh and lengthy as they hold sway over flecks of rose hip and dried anise. A subtle sandalwood frame lets everything play out prettily through the unadorned finish. Drink now through 2031. 164 cases made.

Sports nicely focused energy as its core of cherry, raspberry paste and pomegranate streams along, picking up singed apple wood and rose hip hints. A late accent of hibiscus adds further range, and there’s structure for the cellar. Drink now through 2032. 323 cases made

An expressive style, with a rather showy core of gently mulled boysenberry and raspberry fruit infused with black tea, warmed anise and incense. Sparkly acidity is inlaid nicely, lending this clarity and focus through the finish. Drink now through 2032. 348 cases made.

Bright and succulent, with a mix of vivid boysenberry and raspberry fruit laced liberally with iris and hibiscus notes. The fruit keeps its energy as a gently singed anise detail echoes through the finish. Drink now through 2032. 2,132 cases made.

More earthy and savory than the Sable Mountain Vineyard Pinot, 2023 Pinot Noir Skycrest Vineyard gets more into the gravelly, forest side of the variety, red-fruited and tangy in acidity. From one of the highest blocks of the nearly 2,000-feet elevation site, there’s elegance and prettiness to this medium-bodied wine amidst its complex intensity and length, with only 36% new oak for nine months of aging. I’d give this a few more years in bottle and enjoy best 2028-2035.

The 2023 Pinot Noir Sable Mountain Vineyard gets nine months in French oak, 36% new, the grapes picked mid-October in this cool, long-hanging year. High-toned layers of cranberry and pomegranate accent a concentrated midpalate of balanced acidity and medium-bodied weight, the tannins still sharp yet starting to mellow. This is an impressive wine from an impressive vintage. Drink now through 2035

A lovely shade of pink in the glass, this rosé is packed with buoyant strawberry fruit on the nose but also pops of earth and stone. The palate is juicy with cherry flavors that are cut by a sizzling acidity and layered in earthy elements.

Punchy aromas of focused cranberry, cinnamon, and roses dominate the nose of this Pinot. The palate brings waves of juicy acidity and supple tannin, with flavors of crushed raspberries, Darjeeling, anise, and flowers echoing all along the finish.

Spicy cinnamon aromas give a sharpness to the strawberry and cranberry notes on the nose of this bottling. The palate is plush with baked cherry, mace, and star anise flavors that make for a cohesive sip.

Plumpish in feel, with forward notes of cherry and boysenberry compote that tighten up a little thanks to iris, rose hip and sandalwood details on the finish. The lingering twinge of iron-accented minerality is pretty. Nicely done. Best from 2027 through 2032. 249 cases made.

This focused Chardonnay displays aromas of Meyer lemon, Granny Smith apple, river rocks, and white flowers on the nose. The palate brings more of that acid-driven energy, with flavors of pithy lemon, apple blossoms, green herb mélange, saline, and nectarine pulsating through the finish. —T.R.C. abv: 13.1%

The 2024 White Blend is a curious blend of 80% Assyrtiko, 19% Sémillon and 1% Malvasia Bianca, all from the Alexander Mountain estate. It’s outrageously distinctive and flat-out delicious. There’s so much texture here. Chalky, grippy, zippy and lifted, the 2024 oozes character. White flowers, sour orange, white pepper and lemon oil pop from the glass. What an expressive, engaging white.

The 2022 Chardonnay Zayante Vineyard is a richer, riper style for the Santa Cruz Mountains, certainly amplified by the warm growing season. Fermented and aged in barrel for six months, then finished in stainless for a further six, the 2022 delivers layers of apricot, orange curd and honeyed tropical fruit. A thin line of mouthwatering acids enlivens the finish, closing with a spark of toasted spice. Very well done, and particularly well balanced.

The 2023 Pinot Noir Estate is delicate, earthy and decidedly old-school in bearing, delivering layers of tart cranberry, sour cherry, white pepper and black tea. Finessed and nicely balanced, the 2023 impresses with its textural seamlessness, bright acidity and subtle structure. This has a very classical build and an infusion-like palate presence.