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Description
A fantastic six pack snapshot of all that is good about South African wine. Three whites, three reds, all top drawer.
- 2023 Carinus Family Chenin Blanc
- 2022 Patatsfontein Wit Versnit
- 2023 Olifantsberg Roussanne
- 2023 Wolf & Woman Pinotage
- 2023 Testalonga Baby Bandito Chin Up Cinsault
- 2022 Mullineux Kloof Street Rouge
2023 Carinus Family Chenin Blanc
The 2023 Carinus Family Chenin Blanc is a wonderful entry point to the deliciously juicy Chenin Blancs of Swartland, crafted by cousins Danie and Hugo Carinus. Known for their meticulous work as fifth-generation grape growers, the Carinus family has built a reputation for supplying top-tier fruit to South Africa’s most respected producers. With this wine, they take the spotlight, showcasing their own skill and the remarkable potential of Swartland Chenin.
Sourced from a 41-year-old dry-farmed vineyard in Malmesbury, the vines are rooted in aerated red decomposed granite soils, lending the wine its signature freshness and mineral edge. Fermented and aged for 9 months in 60% old French oak barrels and 40% stainless steel, this Chenin Blanc strikes a beautiful balance between energy and complexity.
Expect bright aromas of ruby grapefruit, lime, and white peach, with flinty notes of wet stone adding intrigue. The palate is lively and textured, delivering juicy stone fruit flavours, zippy acidity, and a clean, savoury finish. It’s both refreshing and layered—a wine that feels effortless yet deeply satisfying.
The 2023 Carinus Family Chenin Blanc is a brilliant introduction to Swartland’s potential. Sustainably produced, vegan-friendly, and full of character, this is a must-try for fans of expressive South African whites.
92 points
"Some flinty reduction before peach, lime, lemon and fynbos. The palate is pure and zippy with a pithy finish. Poised and taut, this over-delivers at the price."
- Christian Eedes (WineMag.Co.ZA)
2022 Patatsfontein Wit Versnit
The 2022 Patatsfontein Wit Versnit is an exceptional white blend crafted by renowned winemaker Reenen Borman in Montagu, at a great price.
This wine, formerly known as Patatsblanc, showcases a unique but harmonious blend of 68% Colombard from 30-year-old vineyards and 32% Chenin Blanc from 16-year-old vines. The meticulous maturation process spans 10 months in a combination of barrel and concrete, adding depth and complexity to the final product.
It's a bright and lively style, full of juicy pear, peach, citrus, and herbaceous notes. The palate is light-bodied and linear, with bright acidity and a nicely pithy finish. Refreshment writ large!
This wine pairs beautifully with light seafood dishes, salads, or simply on its own as a refreshing aperitif. Drink over the next few years for maximum enjoyment!
2023 Olifantsberg Roussanne
Another full-flavoured, thought-provoking textural white wine here from South Africa that you really should try.
Perched high in the Breedekloof, Olifantsberg’s vineyards face strong winds, big temperature swings, and tough soils—exactly the kind of challenge that makes for seriously interesting wine. The Roussanne here ripens slowly, developing layers of flavour while holding onto its natural freshness.
This vintage is fragrant and textural, with notes of orange blossom, citrus zest, and gentle spice, all backed by a bit of waxy depth and a fine, pithy finish. Aged carefully to keep things balanced, it’s got just enough grip to make it food-friendly while still feeling bright and expressive.
A great match for roast chicken, spiced seafood, or anything creamy, this is a white with plenty of personality and the structure to age if you can resist drinking it now.
94 points
"Picked early for freshness, it has aromas of lychee, jasmine and rose petal, citrus and orange zest flavours and a nip of underlying tannin. 2025-40."
- Tim Atkins MW (Decanter)
2023 Wolf & Woman Pinotage
We're not Pinotage regulars here at DD, but this Pinotage from Wolf & Woman seriously stopped us in our tracks.
Jolandie Fouché has a knack for making Pinotage that’s both true to its Swartland roots and seriously drinkable. The 2023 release comes from two dry-farmed bush vine sites in the Paardeberg—one planted in 1973, the other in 1999—set in decomposed granite soils that give the wine its purity and structure.
The grapes were hand-harvested early in the morning, cooled overnight, and then naturally fermented with a mix of whole-cluster and whole-berry fruit. After a gentle maceration and 14 days on skins, it spent eight months in old oak before settling in concrete for another two. The result? A Pinotage with bright red fruit, subtle spice, and fine tannins that keep everything in check.
It’s got depth without being heavy, making it just as good for a midweek dinner as it is for tucking away in the cellar. A fresh, refined take on South Africa’s signature grape.
95 points
"Light and ethereal, it has subtle 15% whole bunch spices, plum and red cherry fruit, violet and rose petal top notes and sculpted tannins. 2024-30."
- Tim Atkins MW (Decanter)
2023 Testalonga Baby Bandito Chin Up Cinsault
The 2023 Baby Bandito Chin Up is pure, easy-drinking fun—light, fresh, and loaded with character. Made from organically farmed, 40-year-old bush vines in Swartland’s granite-rich soils, this is a classic Craig Hawkins creation that shows off Cinsault’s charm in the most inviting way.
It pours a pale ruby, with a nose that’s all about fresh red apple, tart cherry, and a touch of floral perfume. It’s light-bodied and low in tannin, with a soft texture that feels almost juicy, and just a hint of pepper and herb adding a bit of lift. Pop this one in the fridge for a chill and let its gluggable vibe do the rest.
Craig and Carla Hawkins of Testalonga are true trailblazers in South African natural wine, crafting small-batch gems like this that disappear fast. If you’re looking to explore the brighter, crunchier side of red wine, Baby Bandito Chin Up is as good as it gets—airy, refreshing, and just begging to be shared.
2022 Mullineux Kloof Street Rouge
Chris and Andrea Mullineux have a gift for making wines that punch well above their weight, and the 2022 Kloof Street Rouge is no exception.
This blend of 57% Syrah, 27% Grenache Noir, 9% Cinsault, and 7% Tinta Barocca captures the Mediterranean-inspired style that has put Mullineux on the map.
Sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards ranging from 7 to 48 years old, the fruit comes from two key areas. Syrah and Cinsault thrive on the shale and schist soils of Kasteelberg, while Tinta Barocca and Grenache come from the decomposed granite soils of Paardeberg, creating a wine with both depth and energy.
The winemaking is equally thoughtful. After hand-harvesting, 60% of the fruit was destemmed while 40% remained whole bunch, and fermentation began naturally with indigenous yeasts. The wine matured for 11 months in third- and fourth-fill French oak barrels and large wooden vats, ensuring the oak influence stayed subtle and allowed the fruit to shine.
On the nose, you’ll find perfumed aromas of dark berries, violets, and holiday spices. The palate is medium-bodied and vibrant, with flavours of blackberry, cherry, and a hint of savoury spice. Each component adds its own touch: Cinsault brings aromatic lift, Tinta Barocca adds structure, Grenache offers ripe fruit, and Syrah ties it all together beautifully.
This was the Best Value Red Wine of the Year in Master of Wine Tim Atkin's comprehensive 2024 report of South African wine. As he said, it's "Almost impossible to beat at the price."
93 points & Best Value Red of the Year
“Almost too good,” mused Chris Mullineux when he poured this wine, and I know what he means. Combining Syrah, 30% Grenache, 17% Tinta Barocca, and 10% Cinsault, it massively over-delivers at its price point, with perfumed 30% whole bunches, bramble, red cherry, and white pepper flavours, and some granitic grip and freshness. Almost impossible to beat at the price."
- Tim Atkin MW (2024 South African Wine Report)
