South Africa started making wine in 1659 and hasn't looked back since. Waves of immigration, from France and elsewhere, brought expertise and a local wine-drinking culture. Britain (and Europe, as South African wines became famous) provided wealthy, thirsty markets and while international trade dried up during Apartheid, as soon as Nelson Mandela was released in 1990 producers were ready to start sending their wines out into the world once again.
From Chenin Blanc to Chardonnay, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Pinot Noir, South Africa makes world class wines. So that you can get to grips with the diversity of styles and the sheer quality (and value for money) offered by the rainbow nation, we've put together a 12-bottle mixed case to show off some of the great South African wines in our range, with money off and free delivery. /JH
WHITES
2025 Savage Wines Salt River Sauvignon Blanc (Western Cape)
Mineral, precise Sauvignon Blanc from a master of the variety - Duncan Savage was winemaker at Cape Point Vineyards before he left to focus on his own wines. A saline, restrained style.
2024 Hamilton Russell Chardonnay (Hemel-en-Aarde Valley)
Exceptional Chardonnay from one of South Africa's original producers of the variety - it was Hamilton Russell who first imported high-quality clones of Chardonnay to replace the weak Swiss sparkling wine clone which had dominated plantings prior to the 1990s. This is bright and Burgundian, with citrus and vanilla from 28% new oak.
2023 Meerlust Chardonnay (Stellenbosch)
On the aromas this is a plush, toasty, peaches-and-cream Chardonnay - classic. On the palate, however, this is more mineral, deft in its generosity, very long, with peach, ripe pear and lemon notes. A development of the historical style of this wine (rich and woody), gaining new-found freshness without losing too much of the old charm.
2023 Alheit Vineyards Hereafter Here Chenin Blanc (Western Cape)
Chenin Blanc from younger vineyards, although if you ask Chris Alheit he will admit that the oldest vineyard to contribute to this wine is an ungrafted site planted in the 1930s! There's no new oak, minimal intervention, no 'make-up' here. Bright and textured, and especially excellent in this vintage.
2023 DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch)
DeMorgenzon ('the morning sun') is a large biodynamic vineyard in the hills west of Stellenbosch - with an incredible view of the surrounding landscape. Their Reserve Chenin Blanc is generous, an 'old school' style with 15% new oak and flavours of ripe apple, toasted almond, cinnamon and vanilla.
2023 Lismore The Age of Grace Viognier (Cape South Coast)
Sourced from multiple vineyards in Elgin and the surrounding areas, aged in concrete eggs and oak barrels. A bright core lifts the natural weight of Viognier, making this supremely attractive wine a delight to drink, a great wine from Samantha O'Keefe.
REDS
2025 Hogan Mirror for the Sun Cabernet Franc (Stellenbosch)
From a vineyard on the slopes of the Helderberg in Stellenbosch, this has gorgeous floral aromas - violets, rose, cassis, with a note of spice and dried tea adding savoury complexity. The palate is silky and spicy, dried thyme and oregano under bramble, blackberry and raspberry fruit. Tannins frame the finish gently. A stunning Cabernet Franc, balancing exuberance with freshness and restraint. Winner of our 'best red wine at around £30' tasting.
2024 Catherine Marshall Sandstone Soils Pinot Noir (Elgin)
From two vineyards in Elgin, on decomposed sandstone soils. Pretty and delicate, with bright red fruit, strawberry and rose, delightfully easy to drink - yet deceptively serious, with good underlying structure. Cathy Marshall was one of the first 'garagiste' winemakers in the Cape, and her wines offer charm and superb value.
2024 Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir (Hemel-en-Aarde Valley)
Dark, delicate and precise, with crunchy black fruit and subtle spice from 32% new French oak (from the same Burgundian cooper used by Domaine Romanée Conti). One of the most serious Pinot Noirs produced in South Africa, and in most vintages one of the best.
2022 Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Falkirk Grenache (Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley)
A clone of Grenache imported in collaboration with Chris and Andrea Mullineux and planted on a stony hillside at the bottom of the Newton Johnson farm in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Protected from the Atlantic weather, this site is warm enough to ripen even Mourvèdre in most vintages! Cool, supple, elegant and utterly gorgeous.
2022 Miles Mossop Chapters Cabernet Sauvignon (Stellenbosch)
The Chapters range from Miles Mossop focuses on single-vineyard wines; the warm 2022 vintage is a triumph for this Cabernet Sauvignon from the Polkadraai Hills, with 8% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot and 15% new oak. This drinks like a Margaux, and offers ridiculously good value.
2021 Meerlust Rubicon (Stellenbosch)
A South African icon, one of the first Bordeaux-blend wines to be produced in the Cape. The cool 2021 vintage produced an excellent Rubicon; 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Dark berry, cassis, plum and dark chocolate dominate the palate, with herbal restraint and precise, crumbling tannins.
