Savour To Taste House White wine suggestions
Method cape classic ( Sparkling Wine )
Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wine is South Africa's version of Champagne. It is carefully masted and crafted to the classic complex traditional French Champaign wine making method.
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Cap Classique.
Frans Malan, the founder of Simonsig wine estate, was the first producer of Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wine, which was very carefully masted and crafted to the classic French Champaign sparkling wine making method Frans Malan first pioneered Kaapse Vonkel in 1971.
Earmarking South Africa’s very first sparkling wine todays Méthode Cap Classique with a light golden hue. Kaapse Vonkel transmits elegance and refinement in every luxurious bubble.
On the nose, crisp green apples supported by subtle aromas of pear and shortbread biscuits. Refreshing fruit driven flavours followed by a delicate mineral finish on the palate. Beautiful acidity contributes extraordinary length and finesse to this Cap Classique, making every occasion a memorable celebration.
Grape varieties: 53% Chardonnay | 46% Pinot Noir | 1% Pinot Meunier
Graham Beck Brut NV.
Affectionately dubbed the “President’s Choice”, the Brut NV was served at both Nelson Mandela’s inauguration and Barack Obama’s presidential win.
This delightful sparkling wine exudes light yeasty aromas, limey fresh fruit on the nose, and rich creamy complexity on the palate. This Brut NV is intended to cleanse the palate, stimulate the taste buds and entice you to progress to the ‘next level’ in your tasting journey as you savour the nuances and complexities of the other bubblies in our portfolio.
VARIETY: Chardonnay 51% , Pinot Noir 49%
Graham Beck Brut Rosé NV.
Exuberance, flair and elegance in abundance are all hallmarks of this charming and exhilarating Rosé Cap Classique. A lengthy lees time resulted in subtle yeasty characters with a burst of fruit flavour. The fine, lively mousse is brisk on the palate, showing hints of oyster shell, fresh lavender and subtle hints of berry and cherry.
Fun and versatile, yet simultaneously satisfyingly complex, the Brut Rosé is an anywhere, anytime Cap Classique.
VARIETY: 52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir
Pongrácz Rosé Méthode Cap Classique.
A blend of hand-picked Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir made by the Traditional Method known as Cap Classique in South Africa.
A delicate salmon-pink rosé that shows delicate yeasty tones, layered with toast and ripe fruit: which includes blackberry. It contains more Pinot Noir than the original Pongrácz blend as a result of the red wine dosage which is added after “dégorgement” to give this Cap Classique its Rosé blush.
Rosé
Waterkloof Circumstance Cape Coral Rosé .
The Waterkloof Circumstance Cape Coral Rose 2020 has a delightfully pale tinge with delicate red berry aromas and flinty notes.
This rose is produced from Mourvedre grapes and shows a lot of finesse and elegance. The Circumstance Cape Coral Rose is soft on the palate with lingering fresh acidity.
False Bay Rosé.
False Bay Rosé is produced from Cinsault and Mourvèdre grapes. They prefer Rhône varietals when it comes to producing False Bay Rosé as we believe that these varietals impart elegant tannins and ensure a well-rounded wine.
After intensive viticultural research old Cinsault vineyards in the Swartland area clinched the deal while a small portion of Mourvèdre from Stellenbosch added further complexity to this dry rosé delight.
The False Bay Rosé is an elegant, soft and intriguing wine. It flaunts a pale blush hue with floral nuances and red berries on the nose. The Mourvèdre component brings great freshness and persistence to the palate.
Arniston Bay Rosé.
Arniston Bay Rosé is elegant and striking, with alluring notes of pomegranate, grapefruit and fragrant lemon blossoms.
The shiraz grapes only receive one hour of skin contact before the free run juice is drained for the perfect colour balance and tannin profile.
The wine was fermented with selected yeast strains to enhance the aromatic profile and complement the wine's fresh mouthfeel.
Ken Forrester Petit Rosé.
This very elegant Rosé overwhelms the nose with aromas of freshly picked strawberries, rose petal and cherry flavours.
It follows through on the palate with delicious ripe raspberries and a delicate finish.
Grape varietal Grenache/Viognier with the age of vines: 9 – 11 years
Kanonkop Kadette Rosé.
A full bodied, dry style of rosé with a delicate pale-pink colour. Perfumed and aromatic notes of Turkish delight, rose water and summer berries are present on the nose.
The acidity is fresh and bright, and compliments the sweet fruit character of the Pinotage varietal.
The palate displays intense flavours of red cherries, red apples and raspberries.
The grapes were crushed and immediately pressed to prevent too much colour extraction. The juice was cold fermented at 13C until dry. Kept on the lees for 3 months prior to bottling.
Sauvignon Blanc
Durbanville Hills Collector Reserve Cape Mist Sauvignon Blanc.
The Cape Mist is a natural phenomenon in Cape Town, stealthily moving in as a cool Atlantic breeze over Table Bay. The mist provides a soft blanket over the surrounding slopes and creates the perfect cool climate conditions associated with the Durbanville terroir.
These conditions are crucial in creating the perfect environment to grow Sauvignon Blanc, renowned for its abundant and lingering tropical fruit flavours and balanced freshness.
An abundance of ripe tropical fruit such as passion fruit, grapefruit and black currant complemented by pineapple, yellow cling peaches, greener flavours of fig, and herbaceous notes that end with a flintiness.
Warwick Professor Black.
Professor Black vineyards are high up in the foothills of the Simonsberg, with one of the blocks being 36 years old which is really old for Sauvignon.
The wine carries an explosive vanguard of elderflower, nettles, ripe passionfruit, and lime. The palate is alive and zesty, with passionfruit and citrus elements lingering for days.
Kleine Zalze sauvignon Blanc.
The wine was produced from selected dry-land vineyards in Stellenbosch (False Bay), Durbanville and Darling appellations.
The wine spent 7 months on the primary lees before being blended and bottled.
Intense flavours of gooseberries, kiwi and white flesh peach.
The palate reveals layers of complexity with mineral structure and fresh peas. Enjoy now or cellar for the next 5 years.
Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc.
Made in a way ensuring the personality of site and soil is not over-ridden by the forceful character of the variety, this wine exhibits the typical Southern Right balance of tight "Old World" minerality and length with hints of "New World” texture and body.
The 2022 is a wine that favours origin expressive individuality, minerality and palate complexity ahead of simple, pungent varietal aroma. A significant percentage of fruit from iron and clay-rich soil has added a textural and structural component and additional overall complexity to this wine.
The sandstone soils have contributed their typical bright, tensile character and a marked, saline minerality.
This is Sauvignon blanc as fine wine, not Sauvignon blanc as simply a varietal expression.
Constantia Uitsig Sauvignon Blanc.
The tiny region of Constantia lies just outside the southern suburbs of Cape Town. The cooling south Atlantic results in a long slow ripening.
The grapes are sourced from selected blocks with different combinations of rootstock and scion. Each adds a different dimension to the wine.
Only the first run juice is used, followed by a cold fermentation at 12 to 14 degrees.
The wine then spends 5 months on the lees for extra texture. Bright aromas of blackcurrant leaf and passion fruit with fresh acidity is in harmony with a fleshy textural mid-palate and clean minerality.
Springfield Estate Life from stone.
Life from Stone derives its name from the incredibly rocky soils in which it is grown. Every year the vineyard battles against nature in order to produce highly concentrated, powerful wines with a flinty, mineral character true to the quartz rock in which it is grown.
A monumental human effort was required to plant the vines – implements destroyed, and, in the case of the older vineyards, dynamite deployed.
A true expression of the site’s terroir, this wine will drink well now, or can be enjoyed in the next 2-3 years.
Unique naturally-made crisp white wine. Brilliant straw yellow with green yellow tears. Dusty nose full of minerality, exotic and native white berries. Delicious fine yeasty note and fresh herbs. Playful attack with lots of depth and character. Very lively yet aged acidity and contained low alcohol. Extremely long frisky finish.
Chenin Blanc Sur Lie Reserve Laibach 2019
Tasting Notes
This wine is made from the oldest vineyard on the farm. No additives were used and fermentation was done 50% in old barrels, 25% in concrete eggs and 25% in stainless steel. The resulting wine is a refreshing colour with an orangey tint. A very exotic nose with tropical, papaya and white peach in abundance. On the palate a lovely mineral character combines with the ripe tropical and stone fruits, very long with a fresh acidity.
Region
This famous region is 30 miles north east of Cape Town yet still close enough to the ocean to benefit from cool maritime conditions. These beautiful vineyards are dominated by scenic mountains and the region is home to some of the Cape`s most famous and influential wine estates. The most noted and important vineyards are located on the prized slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain. This small and highly rated sub-zone has fantastic terroir and is where many of South Africa`s top red cuvees are produced.
Producer
One of the Cape`s more recent wine estates having been purchased by the Laibach-Kuehner family in the early 1990s. An initial investment saw the 40 hectare property totally replanted and this was followed by the building of a state of the art and contemporary winery. Stuffed full of modern winemaking kit but using traditional barrel ageing, this is a wine estate with a growing reputation right on top of its game. Managed by the very likeable Mike Malherbe, a totally fanatical grape grower and in tandem with the exceptionally talented winemaker, Francois van Zyl they endeavour to craft modern drinkable and delicious wines for a sophisticated and discerning market. The first winery in South Africa to convert to organic viticulture in the early 2000s.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is grown predominantly in the Loire Valley in France but has become the signature grape of South Africa. This versatile white grape variety lends itself to many styles of wine: sweet, dry, oak-aged and sparkling. It generally produces a fresh, fruity wine with notes of peach, nuts and sometimes honey. Its hallmark is a refreshing acidity.
Morgenhof Estate Chenin Blanc.
Established in 1692, Morgenhof is owned by Anne Cointreau. Consistent high quality, reputable wines.
A sumptuous, flavourful Chenin from this excellent Stellenbosch estate, which manages to combine richness with a delicate, elegant palate.
The wine has been part-fermented in French oak barrels, which has added a delicious tastiness.
Laibach Organic the Ladybird Chenin Blanc.
Low yielding Chenin Blanc bush vines made following a sustainable viticulture philosophy produce this clean, fresh white wine with hints of green apple, pear and honey aromas.
An elegant wine with a smooth, refreshing palate, delicate tropical flavours are complemented by a crisp and zesty lime finish.
A lovely unwooded Chenin Blanc.
Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc.
With a golden hued and full bodied, with melon and spicy baked apple aromas. Layered, with mineral notes enhanced by honeycomb and caramel flavours from lees contact.
This wine is a great example of the harmonious balance which can be achieved between fruit and delicate oak adding vanilla flavours, as they combine to form complex, soft flavours with sufficient body.
Barrel and tank fermented and left on the lees for 9 months
French oak, 20% new) matured on secondary lees for a rounded complexity.
Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc.
This Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc comes from selected “Bush Vine” vineyards in Stellenbosch. The average age of these vines are 30 years and most of them are planted on decomposed granite soils.
The juice was racked into barrels and Amphora for fermentation. No new barrels were used to ensure that unique characters of the specific terroirs were preserved in the wine.
After fermentation the wine was aged on the primary lees for another 7 months before being racked out and prepared for bottling.
Tight with flavours of melon, peach, guava and a hint of minerality. Masterly oaked with a lively crisp finish. This wine can be enjoyed now, but with careful cellaring it should age gracefully over the next 10 years.
Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc.
The Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc grapes come from organic vineyards from the farm itself and from neighbouring producers that work with the same philosophy. These are old vines lying north of the Paardeberg mountain and planted in granite soils. No chemicals are used and all treatments are organic and biological. The harvest is carried out manually and placed in small boxes.
In the winery, the Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc grapes spend the first night in cold stores and the next day they are pressed and allowed to ferment spontaneously for 20 days, with 25% doing so in old wooden founders.
Finally, all the wine ages with lees for 7 months before being bottled. The Secateurs Chenin Blanc is a little treasure made with South Africa’s quintessential white variety.
Delicious ripe fruit with vibrant freshness. Flavours of ripe apples and honey and a creamy texture give the wine richness and weight whilst retaining the thrillingly zippy tang of Chenin's acid backbone.
Durbanville Hills Collector Reserve Cape Garden Chenin Blanc.
The Company’s Garden in Cape Town dates back to when fresh produce and supplies were first provided to ships rounding the Cape.
Although originally a vegetable garden, it was not long before the first Chenin Blanc vineyards were planted, and today, the Gardens are recognised for their contribution to the Cape’s horticultural heritage.
The Chenin Blanc is a true tribute to these Gardens and the origins of Chenin Blanc in the Cape of Good Hope. Rich, well-integrated wood with predominantly citrus drive profile, lingering orange rind and pear flavours with tantalising stone fruit on the aftertaste oak spice and vanilla with a creamy texture
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the most expressive and complex of all the international noble white varieties and its potential is unmatched throughout the world, particularly in South Africa.
Warwick yellow lady.
The yellow label is all about the apples and pears. The Chardonnay berries are picked at the coolest time of the day, and almost all fermented in stainless steel and is left on the lees for 100 days to build up lovely texture on the palate.
A small component is fermented in oak barrels and blended in to add a touch of oak spice.
An intriguing bouquet of fruit on the palate that keeps you sipping. Yellow apple and pear flavours are prominent, with more restrained notes of yellow loquat and lime. Textured with a palate filling creamy texture and a fresh zesty finish.
Morgenhof Estate Chardonnay
The 78 hectares vineyards at Morgenhof Estate are dry farmed and worked to allow the myriad of different terroirs found on the farm to express themselves in the finished wines.
They are planted in soils that are predominantly decomposed granite and eroded shale. On the Chardonnay blocks vilafontés soils are found which are medium to heavy textured soils.
The average vine age 15 years old. Pressed with skin on overnight, once juice settled after 48 hours the juice was transfer to barrels. Natural fermented at 14 – 16% and took up to a month and a half to complete. 100% of the Fermentation took place in Burgundy French oak barrels.
On the nose this wine has flavours of pear, passion fruit and pineapple. These tropical flavours follow through onto a creamy palate with subtle wood integration and a long, lingering finish.
Warwick White Lady South Africas top performing Chardonnay
This five stare wine oozes undeniable elegance. Laser-like lemon-and-lime acidity cuts through the core of more rounded peach fruit and baked apples, finished off with roasted almond and vanilla pod.
The wine is blended from three parcels of fruit one selected in Stellenbosch site and two on the Helderberg. The Stellenbosch site adds more freshness and acidity while form Warwick on a warmer wet facing slope of the Simonsberg, adding textural and structural elements to the wine.
All three vineyards are picked separately at different ripeness levels to add complexity.
In the cellar whole bunch pressing happen and the juice allowed to clear naturally before transferred to 228L Burgundian French oak barrels, for fermentation.
23% new oak, 29% second fill, 25% third fill, 13% fourth fill and the balance in neutral oak.
This richly textured wooded white has twice been named Platter White Wine of the year and has garnered 5-star ratings over the past six consecutive vintages.
De Wetshof Finesse Chardonnay 2012 .
The name De Wetshof has been synonymous with the production of fine wines in South Africa since the 1970’s. As the first registered wine estate in the Robertson Wine Valley, De Wetshof has become known internationally as South Africa’s eminent Chardonnay House due to the pioneering role it played in introducing this noble Burgundian grape to the country.
For this wine they use first fill barrels as well as second fill barrels. The selected French oak enhances the nutty and citrus fruit flavours emanating from the vineyard's rich calcareous soil and high concentration of rock and clay, with the wood also unleashing a plush elegance into the wine.
After barrel-fermentation, the wine remains on the lees under controlled temperatures. Weekly stirring (boutonnage) of the lees ensures maximum flavours are released into the wine. After some months the wines are racked off the lees and returned to the barrels for the completion of barrel-maturation of 12 months, with bottling commencing once the wine meets exacting quality requirements of the winemaking team.
The soils' limestone and clay components help the vines to develop strong citrus flavours with a pronounced nuttiness on the mid-palate which leads through to a clean finish with zesty citrus notes.
Steenberg Sphynx Chardonnay.
Steenberg Chardonnay shows upfront and intense aromas of citrus marmalade, fresh golden delicious apple, butterscotch and shortbread on the nose. Subtle vanilla oak spice is carried through from the nose to the palate where it meets flavours of quince and candied apple.
It is complemented by a bright, clean structure and long finish, which in turn is tempered by a lifting acidity and chalky minerality.
The Chardonnay grapes are sourced from Robertson. The grapes were softly whole-bunch pressed for optimum fruit extraction. Barrel maturation lasted for a total of six months in half new 225l French oak barrels with the balance in older, large format French oak barrels. Thereafter, the wine was taken to stainless steel tanks, blended, and prepared for bottling
