Decanter Wine Diaries

"Wine is bottled poetry" - Robert Louis Stevenson

This blog features wines that were enjoyed and reviewed to assist you in your choices of your next wine

Decanter Wine Diaries

As a sommelier, I am fortunate to taste a large selection of wines from all around the world. Because I live in South Africa, I have access to a wide variety of the best wines from this new world producer. I am happy that I can share these wines and their stories with you in this blog. Please note that the tasting notes are my own personal notes and descriptions of how I experienced the wines. Other people might have different experiences or interpret what they smell or taste differently. Enjoy!

Nov 25, 20241 min read

Allée Bleue Shiraz 2020

The Allée Bleue Shiraz 2020 is a great wine with grapes sourced from the farm in Franschhoek. The wine was matured in 5% American oak,...

Nov 25, 20242 min read

Allée Bleue Sauvignon Blanc 2023

The Allée Bleue Sauvignon Blanc 2023 is one of my best finds for the year. The grapes for this wine were sourced from the Darling area in...

Nov 25, 20242 min read

Stellenzicht Cap Classique 2022

This year, Stellenzicht released their maiden vintage of Cap Classique with a 2022 Blanc de Blancs, and it is beautiful! I was excited to...

Nov 25, 20242 min read

KWV The Mentors Perold 2020

Many winemakers have had thoughtful considerations on whether they should add their own name as their brand. It is probably even more...

Nov 25, 20241 min read

Baleia Limitados The Limestone Debate Chardonnay 2020

The Baleia Limitados The Limestone Debate Chardonnay is a careful selection of 6 rows of Chardonnay, planted in Limestone and fermented...

Nov 25, 20241 min read

Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest 2023

The Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest is a tribute to Maria Marais, a feisty widow who took over the building of the estate’s manor...

Nov 25, 20241 min read

Le Riche Richesse 2021

I have tasted the entire Le Riche portfolio several times at several occasions and every time I am pleasantly surprised by how well the...

Nov 25, 20242 min read

Kloovenburg Lledoner Pelut 2022

When I was first introduced to the Kloovenburg Lledoner Pelut, it was labelled as “Grenache on steroids”. This clone of Grenache, now...

Nov 25, 20242 min read

Spier Frans K Smit Red 2017

The Spier Frans K Smit is the flagship red blend from Spier, often served at wine tastings and events by no one other than Frans Smit...

Nov 5, 20242 min read

Zorgvliet Simoné 2021

The Zorgvliet Simoné is a white Bordeaux-style blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc – it is their flagship white wine, named after one...

Nov 5, 20242 min read

Zorgvliet Richelle 2019

The Zorgvliet Richelle is their flagship red wine in a Bordeaux-style, with high quantities of Cabernet Franc and low quantities of...

Sep 10, 20241 min read

Moët & Chandon Nectar Imperial NV

People often forget that Champagne can be sweet, in addition to the huge amount of rather dry options available. And a sweeter style...

Sep 10, 20242 min read

Tesselaarsdal Chardonnay 2022

When I tasted the Tesselaarsdal range for the first time, I stood still for a moment and thought: WOW! Then I got inveigled to love this...

Sep 10, 20241 min read

Groot Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2023

The Groot Constantia Sauvignon Blanc is a typical Sauvignon Blanc from the Constantia area in the Western Cape of South Africa. It was...

Sep 10, 20241 min read

Neethlingshof Estate Gewürztraminer 2023

The Neethlingshof Estate Gewürztraminer is one of a handful of local single varietal Gewürztraminers that are available on the wine...

Sep 10, 20242 min read

JC le Roux Scintilla MCC 2015

The JC le Roux Scintilla is the only classified Cap Classique from the House of JC le Roux, that specialises in South African sparkling...

Sep 10, 20242 min read

Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2021

The Nebukadnesar is the flagship wine of Babylonstoren and it is a real crowd pleaser when served among Bordeaux lovers. The label itself...

Sep 10, 20242 min read

Kara-Tara Pinot Noir 2020

The Kara-Tara Pinot Noir is a joint venture by Rudger van Wyk (Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year 2018) and José Condé. The name...

Sep 10, 20243 min read

Article: Cap Maritime Chardonnay & Pinot Noir 2022/2023

The Boekenhoutskloof wine portfolio is a large one, including The Chocolate Block, The Wolftrap, Porcupine Ridge, Helderberg Winery,...

Aug 7, 20242 min read

Perdeberg Endura Winemaker’s Select Cape Blend 2020

The Perdeberg Endura range pays tribute to the dryland vines that have to endure annually and produce its best fruit in the form of...

Jul 30, 20241 min read

Momento Chenin Blanc Verdelho 2022

The Momento Chenin Blanc Verdelho is from the award-winning young winemaker, Marelise Niemann, in Bot River. The grapes for this wine...

Jul 30, 20241 min read

Eagle’s Nest Merlot 2017

The Eagle’s Nest Merlot 2017 is a superb wine and probably very underrated due to its screwcap and affordable price. However, it is a...

Jul 30, 20242 min read

Alvi’s Drift Albertus Viljoen Bismarck 2018

The Alvi’s Drift Bismarck red blend from the Icon Albertus Viljoen range is an outstanding and exquisite blend from Alvi’s Drift. It is a...

Jul 30, 20241 min read

Uva Mira The Mira Cabernet Franc 2021

The Uva Mira The Mira Cabernet Franc is one of the handful of varieties planted by Uva Mira in their cool climate vineyards in the...

Jul 30, 20241 min read

Valdo Moscato NV

The Valdo brand is synonymous with Prosecco and this Moscato is an exceptional sweet sparkling wine from Marche in Italy with vineyards...

Jul 30, 20241 min read

Valdo Oro Blanc de Blancs Extra Dry Prosecco NV

The Valdo Oro Blanc de Blancs Extra Dry Prosecco is a true gem, especially with its very affordable price in mind! Made from 60% Glera...

Jul 30, 20242 min read

Graham Beck Ultra Brut MCC 2017

The Graham Beck Ultra Brut, previously known as Brut Zero (and not to be confused with the Extra Brut) is an exceptional expression of...

Jul 19, 20241 min read

Vin Par Essie Sauvignon Blanc 2022

The Vin Pas Essie Winery is owned by Esser Banda from Namibia, taking huge pride in the Namibian ownership of the farm located in...

Jul 19, 20242 min read

Vin Par Essie Reserve Red 2022

The Vin Par Essie Winery is owned by Esser Banda from Namibia, taking huge pride in the Namibian ownership of the farm located in...

Jul 17, 20241 min read

Osbloed Kultus 2022

The Osbloed Kultus is an iconic wine by Bertus van Niekerk. The label and name of this wine indicate the winemaker’s interest in...

May 3, 20241 min read

Usana The Runaway Pinot Gris 2022

The Usana The Runaway Pinot Gris was first called The Queen’s Horses. Usana is Xhosa for “baby” or “new beginning”. The grapes for this...

May 3, 20241 min read

Welbedacht Cricket Pitch 2022

The Welbedacht Cricket Pitch is one of the exciting red wines from this producer that is nestled in the slopes of the Groenberg in...

May 3, 20241 min read

Niel Joubert The Proprietor Malbec 2015

The Proprietor Malbec from Niel Joubert is one of their flagship wines, and for a good reason. It is a 100% Malbec that has been matured...

May 3, 20242 min read

Tokara Director’s White Blend 2021

Tokara has two Directors blends: one red and one white. I felt that the white blend needed more exposure and decided to include it in one...

May 3, 20241 min read

Stettyn Stone Red Blend 2019

The Stettyn Stone Red Blend is a very affordable, easy-drinking wine for various occasions, with or without food. It has a garnet colour...

May 3, 20241 min read

Stellenrust Clement de Lune Brut Rosé MCC NV

The Stellenrust Clement de Lune Brut Rosé MCC is a great Cap Classique from Stellenbosch that is probably very underrated in the Cap...

May 3, 20241 min read

Domaines et Terroirs du Sud Maury Vin Doux Naturel 1937

I recently presented this Maury 1937 at the Decanter Wine Club and I was surprised how open everyone was to drink a vintage from before...

Apr 17, 20244 min read

Tenacious Tannat

Tannat is probably one of the most underrated grape varieties out there, with its potential realised by only a few producers who mainly...

Mar 20, 20241 min read

Vilafonté Series C 2021

The Vilafonté wines have always been deemed as esteemed Bordeaux-style wines, but new attention was given to the Series C 2021 vintage...

Mar 20, 20241 min read

Springfield Miss Lucy 2023

The Springfield Miss Lucy refers to the Red Stumpnose fish that is endangered at the moment. It is a popular light wine and a go-to wine...

Mar 20, 20241 min read

Beyerskloof Kriekbult Pinotage 2021

The Beyerskloof Kriekbult Pinotage is a recent addition to the Beyerskloof portfolio, produced from a 50-hectare farm that Beyerskloof...

Mar 20, 20242 min read

Overgaauw Cape Vintage 1998

Overgaauw is well-known for their Port-style and Bordeaux-style wines, making history in 1992 when they became the first South African...

Mar 20, 20241 min read

Thelema The Mint Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

For several years we thought twice before opening any of the Thelema The Mint Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 wines, as that was the last year...

Mar 20, 20242 min read

Stellenbosch Vineyards Therona 2020

The Therona from Stellenbosch Vineyards is not some fancy name for a white blend, but actually the name of a grape variety that is unique...

Mar 20, 20241 min read

Delheim & Hammel Staying Alive Riesling 2022

This phenomenal collaboration between Delheim in South Africa and Hammel in Germany resulted in a great and aromatic but dry Riesling...

Mar 20, 20241 min read

Springfield Garuzis Brut MCC NV

Springfield is a favourite go-to wine producer for many South Africans and it is with great excitement that they have launched a...

Mar 20, 20241 min read

Rupert & Rothschild Baroness Nadine Chardonnay 2022

The Rupert & Rothschild Baroness Nadine Chardonnay is one of the three wines by this well-known producer and the only white wine. Named...

Mar 20, 20241 min read

Wellington Wines Duke Pinotage 2023

The Wellington Wines Duke Pinotage is one of a handful white wines, made from red grape varieties. It is salmon pink in colour due to...

Mar 20, 20242 min read

Klein Constantia Metis Sauvignon Blanc 2019

The Klein Constantia Metis Sauvignon Blanc is one of the finest crafts from this producer. It is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, inspired by the...

Feb 23, 20242 min read

Nederburg Baronne 2022

The Nederburg Baronne blend is made in the style of many Australian red blends, consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. This blend...

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Decanter Wine Diaries

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