A selection of winter wines to try this July, paired with delicious recipes from our magazine.
Simonsig Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, R145
Are you a cabernet acolyte? Then you have to try Simonsig’s! This award-winning Stellenbosch estate has been producing cabernet sauvignon since 1976 (and has even won the General Smuts trophy after being judged as the Champion Wine of South Africa for their 1977 vintage). Now 40 years later, the 2017 vintage underscores this producer’s importance in the cabernet category: fragrant violets spool into inky notes of blackberries highlighted by fynbos; and blue and black fruit play against a backdrop of dry tannins with hints of aniseed.
Pair with: Oven-baked lamb with artichokes.
Snuggle up with Simonsig
One lucky reader will win a three-pack of acclaimed red wines from this Stellenbosch estate. Look forward to uncorking these beauties:
1 x Simonsig Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, R145
1 x Simonsig Tiara 2015, R335
1 x Simonsig Frans Malan 2015, R335
This prize is valued at R815!
To enter, simply complete the entry form below. Terms and conditions apply. Competition ends 31 July 2019.
Survivor Pinotage Reserve 2017, R390
New in the Survivor wine range, the Survivor Pinotage Reserve 2017 made quite the debut by being named top pinotage at the 2019 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. It won the Trophy and a gold medal for the Best Pinotage in show. Only 1 500 individually numbered bottles of the wine have been produced. A beautiful expression of Swartland pinotage, think black cherries, plums and prunes with that salty edge of black olives complemented by notes of cedar.
Pair with: Steak and blue cheese individual pot pies.
Constantia Glen Five 2015, R420
Oh, I just love this wine. Vintage after vintage, it always offers an exquisite rendition of a South African Bordeaux-style blend – and the 2015 vintage is shooting out the lights. At the prestigious 2019 Decanter World Wine Awards in London, it was awarded a platinum medal with a score of 97 points out of 100. It was one of only six wines to obtain platinum out of the 565 entries from South Africa in this year’s competition. It tells an elegant story in the glass: violets, herbs and notes of graphite lead to a core of bright berry and cassis, fine-grained tannins run like a seam, for a long, lingering finish.
Pair with: Sweet and sticky T-bone steak with blooming onions.
Alto Shiraz 2015, R250
Alto Wine Estate celebrates 100 years of wine making this year. That’s 100 years of making classic South African reds. While the estate is more well known for cab, I found this shiraz very smartly made, and absolutely delicious. Black fruit, smoke, spice on the nose, followed by dark plums and prunes on the full-bodied, spiced palate. Brambleberries on the finish and grippy tannins. Offering plenty of structure, fruit and longevity, this wine is perfect for enjoyment now, but was built to last.
Pair with: Hearty cinnamon beef stew with port, shallots and streaky bacon.
Fable Mountain Vineyards The Raptor Post Red Blend 2016, R110
On the lighter side, hailing from the Tulbagh winery, Fable Mountain Vineyards, The Raptor Post is a blend of 50% grenache, 39% syrah and 11% mourvèdre. This Southern Rhône style red wine was made in a natural style—fermentation was spontaneous, a small portion whole bunch with 12 months maturation in old 500-litre barrels. It is so flavourful—red and black fruit, pomegranate, cherries, blackberries, laced with white pepper spice and floral hits. The fruit evolves on the palate—that play between light and dark—chalky acidity, good grip on tannins, and fruit, fruit, fruit. Yum.
Pair with: Liquorice and black garlic-crusted salmon with buckwheat salad.
Written by Malu Lambert, food & wine writer
