The maiden 2013 Capensis Chardonnay has some serious star players behind it: proprietors Barbara Banke (Jackson Family Estate) and Antony Beck (Graham Beck Wines), vineyard manager Rosa Kruger and winemaker Graham Weerts. The philosophy behind it is straightforward (in principal): source fruit from exceptional vineyard sites, which this year comes from the Fijnbosch Vineyard in Stellenbosch, Kaaimansgat in Overberg and E. Bruwer in Robertson. Around 55% of the crop is matured in new French barrels for 12 months. It has an attractive nose with subtle tropical aromas, a touch of white peach and shaved almond that attains more delineation as it opens in the glass (I allowed mine an hour to aerate). The palate displays impressive weight whilst maintaining good balance, notes of Cornice pear, nectarine and a light touch of peach, then erring towards brioche with time. There is just a touch of orange peel enlivening the finish. It marks a decent debut, as it ought to given the price and the names behind it. What I would say is that it does not have the mineralité, the nervosité of a top class Chardonnay, and I opened a couple of my favorite South African examples to compare. That's not to say subsequent vintages will find that. What this is, is a delicious, well crafted Chardonnay that you could cellar for a decade, though I have no qualms in drinking it over the next year or two.

This wine offers caramelized apple, seared pear, honeysuckle, a touch of buttercream and vanilla ice cream on the even, well-measured nose. The flavors lean more green but not underripe, with lime juice, green apple and green mango, offering some bitterness and an alkaline/iodine character.

This is an impressive wine at the price and production level, a great go-to for multiple occasions. It delivers earthy, candied strawberry around a light, bright core, remaining soft and smooth in texture and intensity, finishing with a tease of milk chocolate.

This has an elegant, fruity, lightly spicy profile. Red cherry and nutmeg aromas meld with fresh and pure fruit flavors like red cherry and raspberry shaded by cinnamon and clove. It also offers a silky-smooth texture and medium body.

This 100% varietal wine opens with a strong bouquet of black licorice, maybe even fennel, before big, boisterous tannins stomp the stage. Full bodied and exuberant in blackberry and black cherry, the oak is measured. A backbone of structure could stand up to aging.

This appellation remains a standout for the variety, as evidenced by this 100% varietal wine that’s mouthwatering in stone fruit and cantaloupe flavors. The aromatics center around pretty jasmine and lime zest aromas, while the palate is structured, crisp and fruity, all in good measure.

Knights Valley continues to be a fine spot for this variety, as evidenced by this wine, which is extremely vibrant in grassy lemon zest and melon. A pure expression of the grape, it offers enough oomph to remain consistent and textured, ending with a succulent suggestion of apricot.

A dynamic balance between ripe, juicy fruit flavors and crisp acidity makes this medium-bodied wine both refreshing and substantive. It smells like a bowl of sliced melons, apples and grapes. After 79% Pinot Gris, the winemaker blends in Roussanne, Grüner Veltliner and a bit of Chardonnay.

A dynamic balance between ripe, juicy fruit flavors and crisp acidity makes this medium-bodied wine both refreshing and substantive. It smells like a bowl of sliced melons, apples and grapes. After 79% Pinot Gris, the winemaker blends in Roussanne, Grüner Veltliner and a bit of Chardonnay.

A plush texture and oodles of tasty berry and cherry flavor make this medium-bodied wine hard to resist. Scents of pine forest, wild blackberries and mellow spices like nutmeg and clove give it complexity. The mouthfeel is smooth and supple, and the finish is soft and lingering.

This medium-bodied wine offers ample fresh fruit flavors and a smooth texture that’s not too tannic or tight on the palate. It smells like red cherries and plums, tastes almost like strawberries, and carries that fruity freshness through the finish. It’s a well-made wine to enjoy soon.

This 100% varietal wine opens with beautifully lush aromas of blackberry and licorice, before a seamless, soft layering of leather comes in. Soft tannins mark the midpalate, followed by a finish steeped in smoky vanilla and herb.

This blend of Monterey and Santa Barbara county vineyards offers fresh aromas of lemon-lime soda, chives and a hint of smoke. The palate is framed around sour-sweet green apple, with more bitterness and tension coming from green pear flesh and citrus pith.

Weighted in tannins and oak, this wine is also perfumed in ripe berry and chocolate, along with dried herb. Bittersweet tobacco marks the finish, complemented in vanilla.

An assertive and substantive wine, this has very peachy aromas, vivid and ripe peach and apple flavors, and a texture that’s energized by good acidity. It is light to medium bodied and nearly dry.

From a single, high-elevation block of the Alden-Ellis Vineyard, this is somewhat muted aromatically, preferring to present itself in waves of oak and cigar box. Big tannins and weight surround a soft, approachable palate that’s ready to enjoy now.

Medium-deep ruby color; earthy, cherry and oak aromas; rich, deep black cherry flavors with savory earth notes; good structure and balance, long finish. Generous and rich Pinot with nice fruit. This is another great example of Pinot from the Keefer Ranch—definitely winemaker Adam Lee’s style and really good. Originally published in issue #103

Medium ruby color; complex, spiced plum and cherry aromas with earth notes; full bodied, rich and focused plum and cherry flavors; good structure and balance; long finish. This Pinot has really focused flavors and a long persistent finish. Originally published in issue #103.

This is settling into its stride now, with the tannins and acidity integrating with the supple texture, setting the stage for bright cherry, raspberry, sage and tar flavors. Still compact on the finish, with a lingering savory aftertaste. Drink now through 2023.

Medium-deep ruby color; earthy, spicy aromas with dark cherry notes; rich though tight black cherry flavors with savory spice and grilled game notes; good structure and balance. Rich, tight flavors highlight this Pinot. Originally published in issue #103.

Bright, full red/purple colour and a fresh fruit, slightly lifted aroma of cherry and other red fruits. The wine is very tight and firm in the mouth, a little unready, with grip and a little hardness. There's a stoniness that is almost nebbiolo-like. If there is VA (volatile acidity) it is not obvious on the palate. Good length and resonating aftertaste. Some would describe it as minerally. I'd give this wine a year or two's cellaring. (94 cases produced; unwooded; fermented in two 675-litre ceramic eggs; 120-day post fermentation maceration. Source: Block 30, planted 1946)

A round version, featuring rich cherry fruit mingling with an earthy element. Turns firm and dry on the finish, with gumcoating tannins, yet this remains persistent and long, revealing a tobacco accent. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2017 through 2026.

Focused and elegant, this bursts with pure cherry and raspberry fruit.

Medium ruby color; bright, lively cherry aromas with spiced cola and oak notes; focused, bright cherry and plum flavors with strawberry and cocoa accents; good structure and balance. This Pinot feels good in the mouth—lots of flavor and light on its feet. Originally published in issue #103

Smooth and creamy at the start, with a mix of mocha and vanilla flavors, showing notes of dry, dusty currant, blueberry, blackberry, licorice and fresh-turned earth. Ends with gritty, gravelly tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2028.