Decanter Top South Africa Cape White Blends

Alheit Vineyards, Cartology, Western Cape 2011 
(92% Chenin Blanc, 8% Semillon)
Seven parcels of dry-farmed, 30- to 100%-year old bush vines. Bold and complex. Super-bright acidity lifts juicy apple, plum and citrus fruit. Creamy, nutty texture. Saline, mineral length.  (19/20pts (96/100pts)
Price £22–£24 Bentleys Wine, Berry Bros & Rudd, Halifax Wine, Handford, Lay & Wheeler, SA Wines Online, Swig
Drink 2013–2020
Alc 14%

The Sadie Family, Palladius, Coastal Region 2010
(60% Chenin Blanc plus Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay, Roussanne, Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris, Palomino, Marsanne)
Weighty, textured and juicy. Lifted acidity freshens a preserved lemon palate. Savoury cashew finish. Endless length. (19/20pts (96/100pts)
Price £37 Berry Bros, Handford, Woodwinters, Swig
Drink 2013–2020
Alc 14.5%
 

Mullineux, Swartland 2011 18.5 (95)
(65% Chenin Blanc, 26% Viognier, 9% Clairette Blanc)
Textural, fresh, bright fruit. Bone dry with pure apple concentration. Fruit from 60-year-old, dry-farmed vineyards, fermented in old oak foudres. (18.5/20pts (95/100pts)
Price £16–£20 Berry Bros & Rudd, Domaine Direct, Handford, Noel Young, Slurp, Solent Cellar, Swig
Drink 2013–2018
Alc 13%

The Sadie Family, ‘TVoetpad, Swartland 2011
(Field blend: Semillon Blanc, Semillon Gris, Palomino, Chenin Blanc, Muscat)
Organic, dry-farmed 1.4ha vineyard on own rootstocks, planted between 1900 and 1928. Nine-month natural fermentation gives a savoury, mineral nutty and waxy palate. Intense concentration of juicy citrus peel, honey and papaya. Very long. (18.5/20pts (95/100pts)
Price POA Richards Walford
Drink 2013–2020
Alc 13.5%
 

Tokara, Director’s Reserve White, Stellenbosch 2011
(71% Sauvignon Blanc, 29% Semillon)
Herbal nose, spiky passion fruit and waxy, nutty palate thanks to barrel fermentation in French oak. Complex and elegant with lovely concentration. Lanolin finish. (18.5/20pts (95/100pts)
Price £18–£27 (2010) Handford, Hedonism, Invinity, Swig, Winebear, Winedirect
Drink 2013–2018
Alc 14.5%
 

Fable, Jackal Bird, Western Cape 2011
(55% Chenin Blanc, 16% Grenache Blanc, 16% Chardonnay, 9% Viognier, 4% Roussanne)
Bright, fresh, minerality, lifted apricot fruit and nutty notes. Elegant. Superb mouthfeel and length. (18/20pts (93/100pts)
Price N/A UK fablewines.com
Drink 2013–2018
Alc 13.5%

Lammershoek, Roulette Blanc, Swartland 2010
(41% Chenin Blanc, 37% Chardonnay, 18% Viognier, 4% Clairette Blanc)
Tight structure, smoky edge, oxidative complexity, great texture. Waxy, lanolin-like quince fruit with nutty notes. Lovely length. Organically farmed. (18/20pts (93/100pts)
Price £11.50–£12.75 (2008) Stainton Wines, Woodwinters, World Wines Online
Drink 2013–2018
Alc 13.5%
 

Nederburg, Ingenuity White, Coastal Region 2011
(35% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Semillon, 14% Chardonnay, 10% Chenin Blanc, 8% Viognier, 2% Gewurztraminer, 2% Verdelho)
Fresh, bright, lifted aromatics of white flowers and stone fruit. Tight, complex, firm palate with lifted spice. Creamy texture. Very well made and intriguing. (18/20pts (93/100pts)
Price N/A UK nederburg.com
Drink 2013–2018
Alc 13%

Vuurberg, White, Western Cape 2011
(50% Chenin Blanc, 20% Viognier, plus Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Semillon, Verdelho and Clairette)
Round and exciting with apple, pear and a creamy vanilla note. Bright mandarin fruit acidity. Textural, tight and minerally. (18/20pts (93/100pts)
Price £18.50 Swig
Drink 2013–2020
Alc 14%

AA Badenhorst, Funky White, Western Cape NV 
(Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier and eight other varieties)
Made in a solera system but without fortification, so tasting more like a vin jaune. Bone-dry palate of salty almond, citrus peel, quince and mouthwatering acidity. Unique. (17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
Price £13.95/375ml Handford, Hedonism, Swig
Drink 2013–2023
Alc 13.5%

David, Aristargos, Coastal Region 2011 
(31% Chenin Blanc, 27%
Roussanne, 22% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc)
Just three barrels are made of this rich, complex white. Spiced green apples, notes of liquorice and lemon peel. Soft acidity, creamy finish. (17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
Price N/A UK davidsadie.co.za
Drink 2013–2020
Alc 14%

De Morgenzon, The Maestro White, Stellenbosch 2011
(50% Roussanne, 27% Chenin Blanc, 12% Verdelho, 11% Chardonnay)
Each variety in this first release is vinified in concrete eggs, left in French oak for 11 months then blended together and back into oak. Weighty, textured and peachy with fine minerality. Long. (17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
Price N/A UK www.demorgenzon.co.za
Drink 2013–2018
Alc 14%
 

Read more at: http://www.decanter.com/wine/labels/34244/slideshow/0/top-south-africa-cape-white-blends#coc0YfLe2Lpgw05H.99