


Krone Chardonnay-Pinot Noir 2012; ZAR59.99

Blaauwklippen Cultivar Selection Merlot 2011; ZAR66

Clos Malverne Spirit of Malverne 2011; ZAR280

Savage Red 2011 & White 2012; ZAR180

Paul Cluver Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2010; ZAR350

La Vierge Noir (Pinot Noir) 2011 & Anthelia 2010; ZAR180/99
La Vierge Noir 2011 follows on from the highly regarded 2010, offering the same elegance while showing slightly older vine-age, according to La Vierge winemaker Gerhard Smith, while the 2010 Anthelia (shiraz and mourvèdre) is earlier accessible and shows more primary fruit than 2009.

SMV 2010, Shiraz 2010, Chenin Blanc 2010, Chardonnay 2012; ZAR100 (whites & SMV), ZAR145
Stellenbosch Vineyards, formerly The Company of Wine People, has launched four new wines under its prestige Credo label. Christened Quattuor ("Four"), they represent “four of the best only” from each vintage.

Bouchard Finlayson Kaaimansgat (Crocodile’s Lair) Chardonnay 2012; ZAR114 ex cellar
21 years after vinifying the first chardonnay from Kaaimansgat (Crocodile’s Lair), Bouchard Finlayson has released the 2012 vintage from this legendary vineyard. Winemaker Peter Finlayson describes the wine as "sculptured", with "luscious fruit".

Villiera Starlight Brut NV; ±ZAR95
Billed as the first low-alcohol méthode cap classique (champagne-method) sparkling, Villiera has created a non-vintage bubbly that's intended to be naturally delicate, fresh and light without quality compromise.

Brothers Wines Shiraz 2011 & Chardonnay Reserve 2012; ZAR90 & ZAR85
Cape Town boutique vintner Greg Castle’s newest releases are a Shiraz, described (with due apologies) as "a voluptuous Nigella Lawson", and Chardonnay Reserve, made fuller and more robust "for Chardonnay lovers, and therefore not... for sissies".

KWV Roodeberg 2011; ZAR64.95
Part of South Africa’s wine heritage since 1949, KWV's Roodeberg continues its stylistic evolution with the unfurling of the latest vintage, 2011, a blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon and chiefly shiraz and merlot, described as "an elegant and fresh red wine".

Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2011, ZAR135 ex cellardoor
Just in time for the Easter holiday festivities, Warwick Wine Estate has released the 2011 vintage its Three Cape Ladies, a Cape Blend which is said to bring the best of pinotage to the classic French varieties cabernet sauvignon, shiraz/syrah and merlot.

Bosman Family Vineyards Adama Red Blend 2010; ZAR100
A blend of shiraz, mourvèdre, cinsaut, primitivo and viognier, Adama Red Blend is named after Adam Appollis, visionary and forefather of many of the families who work and live on the Bosman Family Vineyards home-farm, Lelienfontein, near Wellington.

Weltevrede Tropico Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Cherrychoc Merlot 2012, Cigarbox Shiraz 2012; ZAR45-59
After the successful launch of their Vanilla Chardonnay, Robertson family vintners Weltevrede have added three new wines to their Simplicity Collection, intended to offer an antidote to the information overload synonymous with today's culture.

Avondale Camissa 2011, ZAR129
In honour of National Water Week in March, Avondale Wine Estate has released the 2011 vintage of its scented dry rosé Camissa (meaning “Place of Sweet Water”), made from muscat de Frontignan and mourvèdre.

L'Ormarins Brut Classique NV, ±ZAR110
Brainchild of the late Anthonij Rupert, an early proponent of méthode cap classique sparkling in South Africa, handcrafted non-vintage L'Ormarins Brut Classique is a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir (40%). Described as elegant, fresh and lively, it's intended to be served solo or with oysters, delicate seafoods and light salads.

Waterkloof Circumstance Cape Coral Mourvèdre 2012, ZAR85
Characterised as "with decidedly more masculine character and persistence than one might expect from a pink drink", Waterkloof's versatile Circumstance Cape Coral 2012 is styled for solo enjoyment and as a complement for seafood like sushi, crayfish and crab, light vegetarian dishes, mild curries and spicy Thai cuisine.

Stellenzicht RED ESCape 2010, ZAR54
With packaging that takes its cue from the digital world, Stellenzicht Vineyards' RED ESCape is a "plush and juicy" blend of shiraz and pinotage, and, according to winemaker Guy Webber, a good match for pepper-dusted, balsamic-drizzled Parma ham and melon, or dark chocolate mousse with maraschino cherries.

Alvi’s Drift Thornlands MCC NV, ZAR97 ex cellar
Billed as the perfect aperitif for your next special event or celebration, Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar's first méthode cap classique is a non-vintage blend of chardonnay and pinot noir described as "delicate yet flavoursome with a fine and persistent bead".

Haskell Vineyards Anvil Chardonnay 2011, ±ZAR290
Only the second release of Haskell Vineyards' sole white-wine bottling, Anvil 2011 is from a single block of chardonnay, the oldest planting on the top-rated American-owned estate in the foothills of Stellenbosch's Helderberg mountain.

Fryer’s Cove Bamboes Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2012, ±ZAR120
The 2012 vintage of Fryer’s Cove Bamboes Bay Sauvignon Blanc is a worthy follow-up to the five-star-rated 2011, states winemaker Wynand Hamman. If anything, he believes, it has "an even better balance... and will mature very well".

Muratie Ansela van de Caab 2009, ±ZAR175
This cabernet sauvignon-led Bordeaux-style blend, rated 4½ stars in Platter’s 2013, honours an icon of the struggle against the horrors of slavery at the Cape in the late 17th century.

Groote Post Riesling 2012, ZAR70
Semi-sweet and well rounded, the 2012 Groote Post Riesling has shown itself to be a winner, as the only Riesling to have been nominated for a 2013 Platter’s Guide 5 star rating.

Lanzerac Rosé 2012, Chardonnay 2011 & Pinotage 2011, ZAR53, 92, 118
Handcrafted under the aegis of winemaker Wynand Lategan, and intended to be enjoyed throughout the year, Lanzerac's latest releases include Rosé, Chardonnay and Pinotage, the latter being Lanzerac's signature wine for over 50 years.

Dornier Donatus Red 2009, ZAR500
Donatus, meaning “Gift of God”, is Dornier’s flagship wine. As a Christmas special, the 2009 vintage is being offered in magnum (1.5 litres) for the regular price of R500 including free wooden box. Only available at the estate while stocks lasts.

Tamboerskloof Syrah 2008, ZAR115
Now available ex farm and from selected stockists nationwide, Tamboerskloof Syrah 2008 in the 2013 edition of Platter's Guide is rated 4½ stars and described as an "elegant, textured mouthful of silky black fruit, livened with splashes mourvèdre and viognier".

Plaisir de Merle Grand Brut MCC 2010, ZAR145
To celebrate its 20th vintage, Plaisir de Merle is adding a méthode cap classique sparkling to its range of varietal wines. Grand Brut MCC 2010 is made from pinot noir and chardonnay, and matured two years on the lees. It is available from leading wine outlets and departments, and from the tasting centre on the estate.

Rosé 2011, Chardonnay 2011, Sauvignon Blanc 2011, ZAR46-69
Grown on the original Elgin farm and made in the Gabriëlskloof cellar, the first Winters Drift wines take their name from the ‘winter ford’ crossing of the Palmiet River on the Gllen Elgin property, and honour the legacy of two pioneering and philanthropic brothers, Ted and Harry Molteno, sons of the first premier of the Cape.

Tamboerskloof Syrah Rosé 2012, ZAR65
Made from shiraz, and named after the only daughter and youngest child of the De Villiers family owners, Katharien is Tamboerskloof/Kleinood’s first rosé. It’s intended to be enjoyed on its own, chilled, or with fresh summer salads, fish dishes and tapas.

Merlot 2010, Syrah 2009, Affinity 2009, Chardonnay 2011, ZAR85-95
La Bri Wine Estate in Franschhoek has released its latest vintages, with attractive Cape flower and herb-themed labels reflective of the characteristics of each wine. Not pictured are the Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 and Viognier 2011.

Tosca 2010, Nabucco 2010 & Caruso 2012, ZAR199, ZAR290, ZAR78
Morgenster has released its latest three Italian Collection vintages from Giulio Bertrand’s prized vineyards of nebbiolo and sangiovese: Tosca (sangiovese with merlot and cabernet sauvignon), Nabucco (nebbiolo) and Caruso (rosé from sangiovese).



