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Day by Day: South Africa in 2025
South Africa, South Africa featured, featured
, Oct 2025
South African wine is as much about the place and the people as it is about what’s in the bottle. That’s true for every wine region, but in the Cape, it reaches its zenith. This report focuses on nearly 800 new releases that reaffirm the heights of quality and astonishing value on display, but also gives a feel for day-to-day life through the eyes of a visiting wine writer.
Cellar Favorite: 2016 Storm Wines Pinot Noir Vrede
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2025
During a Burgundy and South Africa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir dinner in Stellenbosch, it was abundantly clear that the Cape offers immense potential with respect to those grape varieties. As vines age, one can only imagine the heights that are achievable. One standout that evening came courtesy of winemaker Hannes Storm.
Steenwold! South Africa: Ten Years On
South Africa, featured
, Jul 2025
Many, including myself, have sung the praises of South African wine for years, but if the country wants to be taken seriously on the international wine stage, the Cape must produce wines with the ability to age. An array of South African 2015s were recently put to the test under blind, peer-group conditions, proving without a doubt that the best are truly world-class.
Vinous Table: La Petite Colombe, Franschhoek, South Africa
South Africa, Vinous Table
, Oct 2024
La Petite Colombe certainly ranks among the best meals of 2024, and it lives up to the billing. It showcases the dazzling array of ingredients around South Africa and neighboring countries, and the execution in the kitchen is quite brilliant.
South Africa: Where Are We Now?
South Africa, featured
, Sep 2024
As every surfer knows, at some point, the wave breaks. So, what do you do then? After years of almost breakneck progress and dynamism, South Africa’s wine industry has matured. The young guns are now grown-ups. While the future is unwritten, what is assured is a country producing world-class wine.
Cellar Favorite: 2017 Kanonkop Paul Sauer
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2024
In South Africa, there is a debate about whether the 2015 Paul Sauer is better than the 2017 or vice versa. They are both great vintages of one of the Cape’s icons.
Cellar Favorite: 2001 Rustenberg Peter Barlow
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Aug 2024
The 2001 Peter Barlow from Rustenberg was poured blind at a comparative tasting of South African Cabernets against Bordeaux during this year’s visit. The Peter Barlow acquitted itself admirably, even here, pitted against an impressive 2001 Léoville Las-Cases. The Peter Barlow is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate’s oldest vines, named after the man who bought the property back in 1941. This vintage was made by his son, Simon Barlow, while his grandson, Murray, has been the winemaker since 2012.
A Century of…Fours
South Africa, France: Burgundy, France: Bordeaux, featured
, Jun 2024
Century of Fours examines vintages ending in four and adds historical context via a parallel timeline of the FA Cup Finals from 1904 to 2014. It is two journeys through time for the price of one.
Cellar Favorite: 1930 KWV Muscadel Bin 14 Late Bottled Vintage
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, May 2024
Ancient South African ports have a cult following, and though they are not cheap due to demand, they represent outstanding value compared to other wines.
White-on-White: Porseleinberg 2010-2020
South Africa, featured, Verticals & Retrospectives
, Nov 2023
Among South Africa’s clutch of world-class Syrah, Porseleinberg is regarded as the best. So what better than a vertical of every vintage to date tutored by winemaker Callie Louw?