Wine Region: Stellenbosch

(2026) A classic Stellenbosch Cabernet from soils rich in clay and iron, with a small proportion of Petit Verdot in the blend. It was matured in French oak barrels (26% new) for 20 months. This is a cedary style of Cab, with a touch of herbaceousness to distinct blackcurrant fruit. On the palate the balance of acidity and neat tannins give good, savoury grip, but the cedar and pencil-shaving character does too, though not at the expense of the fruit that stays solid through the mid-palate. Watch the video for more information.

(2026) One of the star names of Stellenbosch, Vergelegen dates its history back to 1700, though the modern era began in 1987. Long time winemaker Andre van Rensburg was obsessed with the wines of Bordeaux and his ambition was to make just two wines: a red and a white, exclusively from Bordeaux varities. Andre retired in 2022, but here we have what is still basically a 'Left Bank' blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, though there is a smidge of Syrah in there too. It's a full-bodied, ripe and very approachable wine, cassis and plum to the fore with a touch of cedar and olive in the background. There is plentiful sweet fruit on the palate, which has a nice density through quite rich and grainy tannins and cherry-skin acidity. Long and intense, it's a nice, big mouthful of structured red at a modest price. Note that this bottling is exclusive to Ocado. Watch the video for more information.

(2026) Fermented spontaneously with 15% whole-bunches, this Stellenbosch Syrah is matured for 14 months in 225-litre barriques, 10% new. A sumptuous melange of ripe, juicy plum, liquorice and creamy, smooth oak, this is immediately appealing. The sweet, black fruit floods the mouth, textural and rippling with creamy fruit, barely ruffled by chocolaty tannin and pert cherry acidity. Such a delicious wine, five years old and drinking perfectly. Angel price is an attractive £18.99 but please note this has moved on to the 2020 vintage.

(2026) The only red wine tasted on this visit, but boy what a treat. From magnum, this was the first ever vintage of The Gypsy, made from selected Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. It's a wine that sings with garrigue and mint notes, lots of red fruits and hints of game and leather. Really quite aromatic, it moves on to a savoury palate of cranberry and exotic spices. Great acidity, medium tannins, and a long finish. Price and stockist quoted is for a bottle, not a magnum, and for the most recent vintage at time of review.

(2026) And yet another demonstration of FMC's ageability, this 18-year-old bottle fabulous with a deep golden yellow colour flecked with emerald. Creamy almond, so much custard and ripeness, intense mintiness, guava, pineapple, with delicious spices, but such intensity, streaking grapefruit tang and acidity. Last tasted by me in 2010 (93 points) this has matured beautifully.

(2026) Fabulously schisty, toasty, tropical - all the components work to create such a sparky, vibrant wine, rich with fruit but dazzling with mineral and green apple acidity. The product of 20 different pickings and fermentations of top, bush vine Chenin Blanc, it is a remarakable wine vintage after vintage. Price and stockist at time of review is for the 2024 vintage.

(2026) This wine is essentially a selection of the Old Vine Reserve Chenin, with a barrel of FMC added, created especially for Franck Dangereux, owner of the Foodbarn restaurant. Ken tells me it is also going to have some on-trade distribution in the UK via the Evolv group of restaurants (Le Pont de la Tour, Quaglino's, etc.) Fine, elegant, juicy Chenin with lovely nutty sweetness and perhaps a little more residual sugar to give that broad appeal? But with fine acidity and excellent balance.

(2026) Always a great value wine where 50% is barrel fermented, including 20% new oak. Herbal and green apple notes, with riper pear and juicy golden apple notes coming through. Bright and focused palate, with real intensity though the creamy oak texture eases that. This will age gracefully as it always does. There are quite a lot of retailers of this wine, though many are still on the 2024 vintage at time of review. Use the wine-searcher link for latest stockists and prices.

(2026) This is a Cap Classique sparkling wine, made by the traditional method that includes over two years on the lees. It is 100% Chenin Blanc. Delightful, creamy autolytic note ,bold yellow apple fruit, toast, nuttiness. Bright lemony fruit on the palate with more of a green apple bite, plenty of juiciness and mouthwatering freshness. Best vintage so far of this wine I think.

(2026) The pink partner to the Chenin Blanc pet nat, this is made from Grenache, and is quite toasty with intriguing aromas that run between strawberry and something exotic - maybe persimmon or passion fruit, red fruits too. A satisfying wine with a touch of earthiness and gentle sparkle.