South African wine has an extensive wine history dating back to 1655, when the first vines were planted in Cape Town by Dutch Settlers. The country's climate is varied and diverse and, interestingly, boasts the world's longest wine route too! Browse our award-winning selection of South African wines including whites from the breathtaking Constantia or Hemel-en-Aarde Valleys to reds from the rugged Cederberg or historical Stellenbosch mountains. We can assure you that no matter which wine you select, the flavour will leave a long-lasting impression on your taste buds, beckoning you to indulge in yet another glass.
GlenWood Grand Duc Noblesse (Sweet) N/V
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Noblesse takes its name from ‘noble rot’, a winemaking process which accentuates sugar, and reduces water content in grapes, making them perfect for sweet wine production.
A wine in this style is the result of painstaking attention to detail in the vineyard, and the cellar.
Tasting Notes
This wine is 100% Semillon, and has the tell-tale notes of honey, dried apricots, butterscotch and ripe mango. Make sure to serve it well chilled.
Vineyards
Vine age: 19 years.
Density: 2,800 vines per hectare.
Normal vineyard yield: 8-9 tons per hectare.
Soils are well-drained compromised lightly structured Clovelly and Avalon.
Vines are planted 1.4 m apart to avoid density as Semillon can be vigorous in growth. Intensive leaf and shoot management in October allow for even ripeness and provided shade to achieve maximum fruit concentration.
Vinification
An intensive, 4-stage, harvest selection in which only noble rot berries were selected containing sugar of between 34 and 36°B. Prior to pressing the berries went through another selection process to ensure that only 100% noble rot berries were pressed. Pressing occurred over a three-day period with a minimal 95 Litres per ton of Semillon recovered. Juice was settled and racked to small 225 Litre selected French oak barrels. No yeast inoculation occurred and the juice fermented naturally down to 150 grams residual sugar per litre. The wine has spent 28 months in barrel before stabilisation and bottling.
Winemaker Comments
"This wine has developed into a well-integrated sweet wine with enticing nutty and honey flavours. We are proud to release this wine with delicate similarities to the revered French Sauternes which was one of our main objectives. Enjoy now or age for 10 to 15 years to develop further complexity."
Accolades
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95pts | Platter’s 2022
2017 botrytised semillon 50% sweeter than last, 2014 (4.5 stars, 93 pts), but so perfectly balanced, the enjoyment is unimpaired, and scores higher. Older barrel fermented/aged 28 months: candied citrus, apricot, with enough brightening acidity to offset the richness. 375 ml.
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94pts | Tim Atkin 2022 SA Report
Noblesse is a reference to the botrytis (noble rot) that affected the berries on this delicious pure Semillon from Franschhoek. Well-balanced between acidity, 156 grams of sugar and a restrained volatile lift, this has honey, peach and orange zest flavours and a sheen of toasty oak spice. 2021-25
Specifications
Year | N/v |
Bottle Size | 375ml |
Cultivar | 100% Semillon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
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Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 4.88 units |
Type | Dessert Wine |
Food Matching |
Try it with homemade apple crumble and vanilla ice cream, or mature Stilton cheese. |
Cellaring Potential | Enjoy now or age for 10 to 15 years to develop further complexity. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Robertsvlei Valley, Franschhoek |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2022 Seasalter Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
The Seasalter is wonderfully expressive on the nose and the palate with captivating notes of black current, stone fruit and green apple together with hints of fynbos and kelp, sea-breeze and a touch of oak.
Palate
Rich, layered and long, this subtly powerful blend is intense but not weighty: an elegant well-balanced wine showing typical Darling minerality, vibrant acidity and some leesy complexity before a saline finish.
In the cellar
30% of the Sauvignon Blanc was fermented and aged for 8 months in a 300-litre French Oak barrels. The remaining components were fermented in stainless steel tanks and left on the fine lees.
Accolades
- 2022 Michelangelo Awards - Gold
- 2021 Veritas Awards - Silver
- 2021 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show - Bronze
- 2021 Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge - Gold
- 2020 Michael Angelo - Gold
- 2020 Sauvignon Blanc – Winemag Awards - Top 10 Award
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"It’s good, in fact, it’s very good and very moreish. On entry, it’s more like a Loire Sauv Blanc than a Marlborough SB - good acidity and with a flinty/mineral streak running through it - so I presume early picking cool climate terroir with maritime influence? The only thing that gives it away as Southern Hemisphere is a sweet, almost sherbet edge to the finish. Very well-balanced, elegant, classy, and moreish. It’s certainly got complexity and a few layers to delve into." January 2023.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Semillon |
Country | South Africa |
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Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Darling |
2020 Constantia Glen Two
Regular price £20.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%93 Points Tim Aktin
'Two is an impressive, separately fermented cuvée of Sauvignon Blanc with 29% Semillón. Fermented in 15% new 600-litre barrels, this is spicy and textured, with creamy lees, grapefruit and fynbos flavours and a saline, refreshing finish. Classy stuff. 2023-28.'
An elegant wine with exceptional balance and length and fantastic ageing potential.
Tasting Notes
A rich and concentrated blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, this barrel-fermented wine combines oak and tropical fruit flavours with a well-integrated minerality.
Colour
Clear and bright with a straw-like gold colour, tinged with lime green.
Nose
Elegant notes of white peach and blackcurrant, with delicate aromas of lime, green fig, and orange blossom. The wine is tightly wound but shows fantastic purity of fruit as well as some citrus and waxy notes, which will integrate and develop into a very refined wine.
Palate
The entry is fresh with bright acidity, good fruit concentration and depth. Good restraint and elegance with stony mineral nuances, the fresh acidity is beautifully balanced with a mouthcoating creamy texture on the palate, which is brought about by barrel fermentation and maturation on the gross lees for 8 months. Furthermore, 29% of this blend is Sémillon, which contributes weight and texture, making this a truly harmonious blend with an intriguing saline quality that lingers well onto your next sip.
Vintage
2020 was yet another fantastic vintage for the white varieties at Constantia Glen. The flavour of the grapes at the time of picking was concentrated and intense with good acidity. The harvest was preceded by a cool summer growing-season, but a warmer-than-usual month of February hastened the ripening at the end ever so slightly. This meant that we harvested a week earlier than the two previous vintages. Thanks to well established vineyards with excellent root systems, the grapes retained phenomenal acidity despite fairly warm conditions just before harvest. Our dryland vineyards showed remarkable buffering capacity and the 2020 vintage has delivered extremely elegant and refined white wines with great richness, texture, and delicious, mouth-coating acidity that lingers on the palate. Picking of the Sauvignon Blanc commenced on 18 February 2020 and continued for 3 weeks as each different clone and vineyard block achieved optimal ripeness and flavour concentration. The white grape harvest came to a close on 6 March 2020 when the block of Sémillon, making up 29% of this classic Constantia white blend, was safely harvested and processed into the winery.
Vineyards
Constantia Glen has a unique position cradled between the Constantiaberg and Table Mountain (World Heritage Site) ranges, with predominantly north-east facing slopes. This singular location allows for exposure to late afternoon sun, ideal for the slow ripening that shapes our classically expressed wines. Decomposed granite and Table Mountain sandstone are the dominant soil types that lend minerality and the graceful character to our wines. High water retention of the rich clay sub-soils allows for sustainable dryland cultivation, while ecologically sound practices include biological insect and pest control by means of natural predators.
History of the Cellar
Ideally located below Constantia Nek, just moments from the bustling Cape Town city centre, Constantia Glen is a picturesque wine estate producing ultra-premium, cool climate white and red wines. The 60-hectare property, situated 103-2790 meters above sea level, has a mere 29 hectares under vine with product of wines limited to 120, 000 bottles per annum. Although winemaking began in 1685, recent history begins with the Waibel family, who purchased the land in 1960. Although this land is difficult to farm - as evident by rapid change of ownership from 1813-1960 - the dedication, patience and passion of the Waibel family has proven reward.
Having used the land predominantly as a stud farm, it was in 2000 that the Waibel family planted their first grapes and they now produce four wines. Perhaps most unique about Constantia Glen is its location. Although this region is predominantly known for its white wines, Constantia Glen is situated between the mountains, providing red grapes with the conditions needed to mature. Dryland cultivation under these cool climatic conditions results in slow ripening, low yields with exceptional grape quality and flavour concentration, thereby producing elegant Bordeaux blends. In addition to Sauvignon Blanc and the `Two` (a blend of Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Sémillion), Constantia Glen produces the `Three` - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon Franc and Merlot` and a `Five` - which includes the addition of Malbec and Petit Verdot.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 61% Sauvignon Blanc and 29% Sémillon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 3 - 8 years |
Food Pairing | Asparagus Risotto. Bacon and Leek Quiche. Grilled Kingklip with Salsa Verde. Char Siu pork belly with citrus spice and fresh coriander. Oak-smoked trout with dill & lemon crème fraiche and a cucumber pickle. |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Constantia |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2019 Constantia Glen Three
Regular price £26.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A critically acclaimed, award-winning, powerful, intense, rich, medium-bodied red wine with red berry, red currants, cassis, floral and spicy notes on the nose and palate.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Youthful in colour with a dark, deep red core unwinding into a bright and lively garnet rim.
Nose
Forthcoming nose with expressive red and black fruit flavours. Beyond these initial ripe fruit flavours, there is complex collection of savoury dried-herb flavours intermingled with lingering notes of white pepper, blackcurrant and cedar.
Palate
The dark fruit and distinct savoury notes on the nose follow effortlessly onto that first sip where elegant, velvety tannins grip the palate in a vibrant intensity of flavour. This incredible richness and concentration of fine-grain tannins is further echoed by an earthy minerality and the wine’s inherent freshness brings about a long, well-defined finish. This opulent, full-bodied wine possesses old world authenticity with its delicate herbal fynbos notes that reign in the powerful fruit flavours.
A classic Constantia blend of the three most revered Bordeaux varieties – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. A cool maritime climate and strict crop control results in perfectly ripened grapes that are hand harvested, meticulously sorted and batch vinified.
Vineyards
Constantia Glen has a unique position cradled between the Constantiaberg and Table Mountain (World Heritage Site) ranges, with predominantly north-east facing slopes. This singular location allows for exposure to late afternoon sun, ideal for the slow ripening that shapes our classically expressed wines. Decomposed granite and Table Mountain sandstone are the dominant soil types that lend minerality and the graceful character to our wines. High water retention of the rich clay sub-soils allows for sustainable dryland cultivation, while ecologically sound practices include biological insect and pest control by means of natural predators.
Vintage
2017 was really a fantastic vintage for the red varieties at Constantia Glen and the wines from this vintage have garnered the same respect as those made in 2015. The flavour of the grapes at the time of picking was concentrated and intense with bright aromatics. Although dry, the summer period preceding the harvest was incredibly cool, which meant slow and long ripening that allowed for the slow accumulation of sugars, and grapes that retained phenomenal acidity despite fairly dry conditions in what was considered a particularly severe period of drought in the Cape. The estate vineyards showed remarkable buffering capacity during the drought and the 2017 vintage has delivered extremely elegant and refined red wines with great richness, texture, aromatic purity, and persistent, mouth-coating tannins. The wines also have great structure and acidity, which will allow for superlative bottle-ageing.
The range includes a Sauvignon Blanc and the `Two` (a blend of Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Sémillion), Constantia Glen produces the `Three` - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon Franc and Merlot` and a `Five` - which includes the addition of Malbec and Petit Verdot.
Accolades
- Decanter World Wine Awards - 87 pts
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 10 years from harvest |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Seared Springbok medallions with a smoked parsnip puree and blackberry infused jus. Slow roasted shoulder of lamb with roasted vegetables and tomato jam, on a bed of buttered polenta. Salted lamb chops or duck-breast grilled to crispy perfection over vine coals. |
Origin | Constantia |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2021 Wildeberg White
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Classic ancient vine Semillon selected from 2 small plots, the oldest planted in 1905. The fruit for the Wildeberg wines comes from the Franschhoek Valley only, hand-harvested, naturally-fermented and gently matured in our mountain barrel hall on the farm
Tasting Notes
Nose
Restrained, delicate aromas with bright citrus fruit offset by savoury, waxy notes.
Palate
The palate has an impactful attack of taut, stony, highly textural citrus tang and terrific mouthfeel. A subtle, beautifully balanced wine with layers of expression.
Production
Sourced from ancient, dry grown bush vines in the Franschhoek Valley in the south-eastern corner of the Cape’s Coastal Region. Franschhoek is amongst the oldest planted regions in the Cape, with Sémillon having been planted here in 1679 by French Huguenot settlers. Naturally-fermented in new and older oak at our Franschhoek farm, there is very little magic involved other than the fruit itself.
Producer
The Earth’s mantle thrusts up above the gentle town of Franschhoek, a wild slice of untamed mountain on which sits a farm named Wildeberg. An established wine region for some 350 years, sensible generations never thought to plant a vine here until a happy band of idealists recently craned their necks up at this hillside and, dizzy with hope, decided to give it a go. Franschhoek is on the very edge of the south-eastern corner of the Cape’s venerable Coastal Region, indeed Wildeberg’s property border runs over the top of the mountain where the Coastal Region gives way to the baboon-strewn road to Grabouw and the wider Western Cape.
The Wildeberg wines express the most captivating Franschhoek Valley fruit. In our Wildeberg Terroirs bottlings we look beyond our home to a clutch of exceptional sites of other origin.
A mountain rich in metaphor with the visual heft to flatter any wine, releases of Wildeberg and Terroirs express our continued purpose – exceptional wines of place, however humble the origin. If the abiding memory of our wines remains a textural sense of place then we are portraying the Cape as hoped.
Sustainability
Wildeberg is a 144ha wine farm set against the backdrop of the dramatic Franschhoek mountains, on the very edge of viticultural possibilities. To farm here you have to be in tune with nature, respecting the earth and the elements, creating wines which truly express the terroir with minimal intervention.
This special area is home to 4 endangered Fynbos species, and a key mission of Wildeberg is to conserve this vegetation type as they are critical to the biodiversity of the Western Cape. This work entails clearing invasive alien trees which can overwhelm the Fynbos and contribute to the threat of forest fires. Fynbos covered mountains like those at Wildeberg are thought to be responsible for delivering one glass of water in five in South Africa, due to the plants allowing up to 80% of rainwater to run off into rivers and reservoirs rather than being absorbed into the soil.
Water is precious in South Africa, and waste water from the winery passes through a natural wetland with indigenous reeds and plants before being pumped into our irrigation dam. We then use this water to irrigate the vines.
All Wildeberg wines are certified as part of South Africa’s sustainability accreditation, the ‘Integrated Production of Wine’ (IPW) system. The IPW scheme, started in 1998, consists of a set of audited guidelines specifying agricultural practices, manufacturing practices and bottling activities.
Wildeberg is also a proud member of the Cape’s Old Vine Project (OVP), which preserves blocks of vines which are 35 years and older. The project encourages producers to farm as close to nature as possible whilst raising awareness of the inherent potential of old vines to produce outstanding and expressive wines.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Semillion |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Dietary Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Ideal with delicate fish dishes, fresh oysters and prawns. |
Appellation | WO Franschoeck |