South African Wines
South African wines offer impressively good value, and feature styles and tastes that are food friendly, blending elegance and power. South Africa has been producing wine since the first vines were planted in the 17th century, brought by the Dutch governors of Cape Colony. At one time, the sweet wine of Constantia was the most prized in the world.
The most important South African wine regions are around the two cities of Stellenbosch and Paarl. A range of wine styles are made, from stunning blockbuster reds to full bodied Chardonnay and crisp, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. Chenin Blanc, also known as Steen, is the local white workhorse grape capable of making impressive dry and sweet wines. Pinotage, South Africa’s own red grape (a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault) still leaves wine critics divided, but can make great single-variety offerings as well as being a key component in Cape Blends. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Bordeaux-style red blends are also among the country’s top reds.
We have thousands of South African wine reviews available in our Buying Guide. Search the South African wine guide to browse our South African wine ratings and discover all that this wonderful wine-producing region has to offer.
Robert's Rock 2003 Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Cape)
- Online Exclusive
- $9
A light, simple red with less substance than expected considering the grapes and the brand's usual good hand with value wines. Some grapey and tart red berry flavors here wear smoke and toast accents. Lean, with a short, earthy dry finish.
— M.M.
(4/1/2005)
Herding Cats 2004 Merlot - Pinotage Red (Western Cape)
- $9
Tomato leaf and red fruit aromas lift from this 80/20 blend. Despite the young age, it's starting to rust at the rim. The wine is on the soft side, creamy and smooth, with with flavors of red berry, vanilla, and green leaf.
— M.D.
(7/1/2006)
Tribal 2003 Pinot Noir (Western Cape)
- $7
Shows sour cherry fruit, some oak and a dose of that metallic earthiness Cape wines often show. A little lighter in weight, but not far from a Pinotage in manner—then again, it is a parent grape (with the Rhône’s Cinsault) to that South African hybrid.
— M.M.
(7/1/2004)
Golden Kaan 2006 Rosé Pinotage (Western Cape)
- $10
There's a pleasant combination of sweetness and citrus in this easy-drinking Pinotage rose, though its candied edge pushes the wine into the "garden party" sphere despite valiant efforts to keep it grounded. Strawberry, banana and lemon on the nose lead into a fresh burst of fruit and flowers on the palate. It lends itself to summertime drinking with salads and seafood.
— S.K.
(3/1/2007)
Fleur Du Cap 1996 Merlot
- $12
For bell-pepper lovers only. It shows appropriate alcohol and acidity levels but the aromas and flavors are dominated by green pepper.
— W.E.
(9/1/1999)
Sinnya 1998 Chardonnay (Robertson)
- $11
The bouquet, if you can call it that, is distant and bland. Fatness on the tongue due to lack of acidity. Tart, lean and lacks luster in the glass. Hard to define as Chardonnay.
— W.E.
(9/1/1999)
Swartland 1997 Merlot (Swartland)
- $12
This lightweight Merlot shows decent cherry, cinnamon and earth flavors at first—but drink it fast. The wine quickly turns herbaceous and earthy in the glass, leaving an altogether different, and less favorable, impression.
— W.E.
(9/1/1999)
Cape Indaba 1998 Chardonnay (Western Cape)
- $10
Pineapple and ripe nectarine on the nose. The flavor profile is peachy and citrusy, but also features plenty of unripe melon. A bit of a bitter edge to the finish, which is short and oaky. Flabby but not cloying or sweet.
— W.E.
(9/1/1999)
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