Hartenberg Shiraz Stellenbosch RSA

Hartenberg Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Stellenbosch RSA from South Africa, Stellenbosch by Hartenberg Wine Estate (12 x 75 cl)

Hartenberg Chardonnay Stellenbosch RSA from South Africa, Stellenbosch by Hartenberg Wine Estate (12 x 75 cl)

Hartenberg THE ELEANOR Chardonnay Stellenbosch RSA from South Africa, Stellenbosch by Hartenberg Wine Estate (6 x 75 cl)

The history of Neethlingshof Estate spans a period of more than 300 years. In 1692 Willem Barend Lubbe, a German settler, began farming the site he had been granted by Simon van der Stel on the Bottelary Hills overlooking False Bay. He named the farm De Wolwedans, which means 'The Dance of Wolves', because he mistook for wolves the packs of jackals which roamed the countryside in those early days of European settlement. After Lubbe, the farm belonged to the Marais family, who built the wine cellar and the manor house in 1802 and 1814 respectively. Their son-in-law, Marthinus Neethling, earned himself the nickname, 'Lord Neethling', because he 'played the lord' by assuming airs of importance and authority. It was in Neethling's time that the farm was renamed Neethlingshof. Already at that time, the estate was enjoying the reputation of being one of the top wine farms in the area. The Neethlings' daughter married Jacobus Louw and the farm remained in the Louw family for the next 100 years. In 1963 well-known politician Jannie Momberg bought the estate while Gys van der Westhuizen, who had farmed for the Louw family since 1950, continued to run the farm for the Mombergs. In 1973 Schalk van der Westhuizen took over from his father as manager and winemaker and today the young and passionate De Wet Viljoen is at the helm in the cellar. Neethlingshof lies in the very heart of the Cape's winelands in the Stellenboschkloof, flanked by the Bottelary Hills and Papegaaiberg Mountain just outside the town of Stellenbosch. There are many natural advantages contributing to the production of the fine, characterful wines at Neethlingshof. These include a variety of high potential soils derived from decomposed granite, gentle slopes and valleys offering a choice of aspects. As well as the cooling effect of the nearby Atlantic Ocean on the vineyards during the ripening season, it also has the advantage of high altitude which varies between 85 and 250metres. This set of circumstances has allowed 165ha of the 273 ha to be planted with a variety of vines. The Pinotage grapes selected for this wine came from a range of trellised, south-east facing vineyards. The composition of the vineyard is made up of gravel soils with a clay content of about 10%. Set in dryland vineyards the vines ranged in age from 7 to 25 years. Great care has been taken from the harvest by hand to fermentation on the skins for five days and ageing in 225-litre French oak barrels for 24 months. This has produced an inky plum coloured wine with a medium body, velvety texture showing earthy, vegetal aromas and strong, plummy varietal flavours. (12 x 75 cl)

Waterford KEVIN ARNOLD Shiraz Stellenbosch RSA from South Africa, Stellenbosch by Waterford Wine Estate Stellenbosch (12 x 75 cl)

Known initially as Rustenberg and later Alphen, this vineyard at one time belonged to the Baimsfather-Cloete family who produced the famous Constantia wines. In 1981 the estate was acquired by Hans-Joachim Schreiber who renamed it Stellenzicht or in its literal translation 'View of Stellen' . The Golden Triangle Shiraz is barrel-matured in French and American oak. Intense, rich ruby hues with a distinct, youthful purple tinge dominate the colour while there is a rich complexity of aromas on the nose -including mocha and dark chocolate combined with the spicy sweetness of ripe plums and roasted almonds. On the palate, the wine is full and succulent with firm, yet soft tannins as the ripeness of fruit results in the mouth-filling experience of true Shiraz. Planted between 1989 and 1991, the vineyards bearing the grapes used to craft this wine are grown on slopes facing west and north-west and on soils originating from decomposed granite and Table Mountain sandstone. The yield from the vineyard was restricted to an average of 4.9 Tonnes per hectare to further enhance the quality of the fruit.. All of the grapes for this wine were harvested by hand, after destalking and crushing, the mash was fermented in stainless steel tanks with selected, pure yeast cultures with the juice being removed from the skins after five days. Once the fermentation was complete, the wine was drained off the primary lees and transferred to a 'resting' tank. Malolactic fermentation and a brief settling period preceded the transfer of the wine to a combination of 66% new Oak barrels and 34% third-fill Oak barrels (12 x 75 cl)

The classic French merlot is grown on the highest points on the farm It is deep ruby red, clear and brilliant. On the nose, an intense red berry character dominates, with oak aromas well evident in the background. The palate follows the nose, and is medium-bodied, with good berry-fruit flavours and a lengthy aftertaste. A wine with remarkable softness yet with excellent maturation potential. Enjoy this elegant, flavoursome wine on its own, or as the perfect accompaniment to rich stews and roasts. Serve at room temperature . (12 x 75 cl)

This wine has a clear and bright yellow-straw colour. The nose is intense and typical of the grape variety. Youthful and fruity, it is clean, perfumed, with rose petal and litchee aromas developing well after a few minutes in the glass. Medium-bodied, it is smooth with a hint of sweetness on the palate. A long, lingering, fruity and typical Gewürztraminer aftertaste rounds off this superb wine. Enjoy it with spicy food, such as curries and Chinese food, wherever spicy and sweet components mingle. Can also be enjoyed with light and fruity desserts or on its own. Serve well chilled at 10 (12 x 75 cl)

Neethlingshof Estate Pinotage Stellenbosch RSA from South Africa, Stellenbosch by Neethlingshof Estate Stellenbosch Soft & Supple Reds (12 x 75 cl)