2023 Damascene | New Vintage Release

Two valley floor blocks on sandstone soils in Franschhoek supply the raw material for this superb, wild yeast-fermented Semillon from a producer who can seemingly do no wrong right now. Leesy,Two valley floor blocks on sandstone soils in Franschhoek supply the raw material for this superb, wild yeast-fermented Semillon from a producer who can seemingly do no wrong right now. Leesy, waxy and engagingly stony and refreshing, it has herbal top notes, chamomile, wet stone and waxed lemon flavours and a hint of oak spices. 2025-32 Drinking range: 2025 - 2032 Rating: 95 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2025)

Lovely texture and weight to this fresh white. Notes of crushed stones, lemons, sliced apples and honey are complemented by a creamy, rounded texture and a full body. Delicious now but can hold.Lovely texture and weight to this fresh white. Notes of crushed stones, lemons, sliced apples and honey are complemented by a creamy, rounded texture and a full body. Delicious now but can hold. Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 2024)

"We don’t talk enough about structure in white wines," says Jean Smit, who set out to do something about it with this Paardeberg Chenin Blanc. Made with grapes from a vineyard planted between"We don’t talk enough about structure in white wines," says Jean Smit, who set out to do something about it with this Paardeberg Chenin Blanc. Made with grapes from a vineyard planted between 1971 and 1983, this has understated Austrian oak, top notes of straw and aniseed and a pithy, mouth-watering palate with granitic tension. Drinking range: 2026 - 2032 Rating: 94 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2025)

Chopped herbs, cranberries, wild raspberries, coffee beans and sweet paprika on the nose of this fragrant and pretty red. It’s medium-bodied on the palate with very fine, powdery tannins. Layered andChopped herbs, cranberries, wild raspberries, coffee beans and sweet paprika on the nose of this fragrant and pretty red. It’s medium-bodied on the palate with very fine, powdery tannins. Layered and delicious. Drink or hold. Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 2024)

The 2023 Syrah Stellenbosch comes from the Karibib Vineyard. It was vinified with 75% whole clusters, with light pump-overs conducted twice a year without breaking the berries. This has aThe 2023 Syrah Stellenbosch comes from the Karibib Vineyard. It was vinified with 75% whole clusters, with light pump-overs conducted twice a year without breaking the berries. This has a sophisticated, garrigue-scented bouquet that is very seductive, complex and beautifully defined, just like the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, allowing that garrigue note to blossom with aeration. Very poised and persistent through the finish, this is one of the best Syrahs you will find from Stellenbosch. Drinking range: 2026 - 2042 Rating: 95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sept 2024)

Jean Smit's Swartland Syrah is a 90/10 blend from Kasteelberg and Jakkalsfontein, located on schist and granite soils, respectively. Stony, sappy and intense, it has fynbos and garrigue aromas,Jean Smit's Swartland Syrah is a 90/10 blend from Kasteelberg and Jakkalsfontein, located on schist and granite soils, respectively. Stony, sappy and intense, it has fynbos and garrigue aromas, understated oak from large Austrian foudres, plenty of grip and acidity, fig and black olive flavours and a waft of brine and kelp. 2026-34 Drinking range: 2026 - 2034 Rating: 97 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2025)

A very fresh and elegant syrah that has fragrant thyme, sour-cherry, wild-raspberry and balsamic aromas. It’s medium-bodied, silky and bright. Delightful. Drink now or hold.A very fresh and elegant syrah that has fragrant thyme, sour-cherry, wild-raspberry and balsamic aromas. It’s medium-bodied, silky and bright. Delightful. Drink now or hold. Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 2024)