Here in Stellenbosch, we take immense pride in the exceptional wines crafted in our beautiful region. To share this pride with you, we’ve selected special cases featuring some of these outstanding wines.
As a publication whose location and heart are both in the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch Visio has from the outset provided articles and reviews about the fantastic wines produced in what is often termed “the most exciting wine country on the planet”.
After requests from our readers, we have decided to take Stellenbosch Visio’s link between readers and the Cape Winelands one step further by offering curated collections of top South African wines for purchase.
Two carefully assembled and separately priced collections, each comprising six bottles of wine, have now been made available to you. Each assembled pack offers a varied selection of some of the best and most sought-after wines currently around.
For this, Stellenbosch Visio has teamed up with The Vineyard Connection, a well-known Stellenbosch wine retailer and adviser that for over two decades has been stocking and curating wine collections for discerning customers locally and internationally.
We briefed Lara Philp, co-owner of The Vineyard Connection, to curate two differently priced packs, each containing six bottles of superb wines that display the diversity of the Cape’s wine regions as well as the various styles and cultivars that South Africa’s leading winemakers vinify to great distinction. Many of the wines you will see in these separate packs are difficult to find, but they have been sourced by The Vineyard Connection.
MANY OF THE WINES YOU WILL SEE IN THESE SEPARATE PACKS ARE DIFFICULT TO FIND, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN SOURCED BY THE VINEYARD CONNECTION.
Lara Philp
Please take a look at the two curated collections comprising one bottle of each of the following wines:
GRAND TIER COLLECTION
Six bottles, available in limited numbers (R4 753)
Boschkloof Epilogue Syrah 2021 is made by Reenen Borman in Stellenbosch, who is rapidly being recognised as one of South Africa’s top Syrah-makers. Epilogue is gaining a cult status and the 2021 vintage received 100 points – that is 100 out of 100! – in this year’s South Africa Report by Tim Atkin, the well- known British Master of Wine.
Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2020 comes from the famous Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon House of Le Riche, now presided over by Christo le Riche, son of founder Etienne. This classic Cabernet Sauvignon is a blueprint for this variety
in Stellenbosch, which has a reputation as ‘Cabernet country’.
Reyneke Reserve White Sauvignon Blanc 2021 is one of the most outstanding wines in the white wine side of this collection. Johan Reyneke is the country’s leading maker of biodynamic wines and his natural, holistic approach to viticulture and winemaking has led to a Sauvignon Blanc of incredible depth and complexity.
Glenelly Lady May 2017 is the pinnacle wine from Glenelly Estate in Stellenbosch’s Simonsberg. A Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux-style blend, this wine pays homage to regional terroir and the French roots of Glenelly’s founder, the legendary May-Éliane de Lencquesaing from Bordeaux.
Stellenrust ArtiSons Series Rare The Mothership Chenin Blanc 2022. In a country of great Chenin Blanc wines, Stellenrust has over the past decade leapt to the fore as a leading producer of the Cape’s signature white variety. Numerous awards and critical scores honour this magnificent rendition of the cultivar of choice among South African makers of white wines.
Longridge Clos du Ciel Chardonnay 2018 is an iconic Chardonnay made from an old vineyard on Stellenbosch’s Helderberg, where this Burgundian variety ripens beautifully on north-facing slopes. Now five years old, this Chardonnay emphasises South Africa’s reputation for making the best Chardonnay outside its ancestral home in Burgundy.
PREMIER TIER COLLECTION
Taaibosch Crescendo 2020 is the new vintage release from one of Stellenbosch’s most exciting properties. Grown
on the Helderberg, this red Bordeaux-style blend is led by Cabernet Franc. Since its maiden release, Taaibosch Crescendo has become an instant classic, and word has it that vintage 2020 is the finest to date.
Damascene Syrah 2021. Damascene has become a talked- about winery due to its collection of diverse wines crafted from selected sites in various parts of the Cape Winelands. Made from three Stellenbosch appellations – Polkadraai Hills, Bottelary and Devon Valley – this wine harnesses site-specific Syrah into a true beauty.
Bellevue Pinotage Reserve 2019 comes from a producer that helped pioneer Pinotage, growing the grapes used in the first bottle of Pinotage made in 1959. Bellevue is still renowned as a leader in this home-grown variety, with its Stellenbosch Bottelary vineyards producing Pinotage of finesse and elegance.
Thistle and Weed Brandnetel
Chenin Blanc 2022 is made by an innovative young producer from grapes grown on Stellenbosch’s Simonsberg. Matured in old French oak to add class, poise and structure to the Cape’s great white variety, this wine is zinging and fresh, yet classically elegant.
Jordan Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs is a bottle-fermented sparkling wine made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes by one of Stellenbosch’s most renowned wineries. Produced in limited volumes, it’s a superb example of Cap Classique, with a yeasty brioche complexity that is complemented by reams of citrus-led freshness.
Keermont Terrasse 2022,
from a renowned producer on Stellenboschberg, is a cult white blend led by Chenin Blanc.
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are also firmly present in the wine, with dollops of Marsanne, Viognier and Roussanne. Barrel-aged for structure and complexity, this innovative blend honours unique terroir and truly innovative winemaking.