The concept of Hannibal stands by its original design synergy between French and Italian grapes.  In the case of vintage 2006 there are five varieties involved in the blend with sangiovese (34 %) once again playing the pivotal role.  Petite syrah (31 %) now takes up second position while pinot noir constitutes 20 % of the mix.  The balance is made up of nebbiolo at 13 % and mourvedre at 2 %.

An austere vintage with a defined and concentrated age-able character. Excellent structure from small barrel ageing showing nervous fruit with a great bouquet.  It is long and harmonious - mature for 2 - 8 years.

It is claimed that Pinot Noir has no definite varietal characteristic of its own.  Its flavour & character are dictated by the soil in which it is grown. Most vintages are preceded by an enthusiastically awaited dry weather build-up to actual harvest.
2008 vintage was a wet season; the soils were never dry and grapes ripened under non-stress conditions.
This is no doubt one of the fruitiest presentations of Galpin Peak in many years. It has an appealing fresh fruit structure with accentuated length and elegance on the palate. Fully dry, but soft & gentle with a touch of crispness. Flavours of cherry, blackberry & violets followed by an earthy spicyness. It is in harmony with its expectations and does not disappoint in its rich candid finish!  Expect increased elegance and softness with aging.

This vintage is characterised by elaborate flavours of subtle oak tones with layers of pure vanilla, pear, mango & yeastylees. “Boutique” barrel makers Tonnellerie Meyrieux of Nuits St. George have provided added security in supporting us with the finest hand-crafted Burgundian barrels.

90 points for the Missionvale Chardonnay 2008. “Forward and very juicy, with a succulent core of apple and fig fruit backed by enticing piecrust, glazed pear and grilled hazelnut. The long finish lets a green almond note chime in. Almost too showy, but pulls it off.” James Molesworth (WS Mar 10)

To build on these ideal conditions I have taken advantage of this opportunity to make a special blend by utilizing the best barrels in the cellar for a smaller unique bottling!  These limited release bottlings are called Tête de Cuvée. In this instance 15 barrels were used.

Vintage 2006 has followed admirably after the successful 2005. Excellent quality grapes picked over a ten day period. Great natural acidities and rewarding grape sugars brought a smile to the team.

Deftly balanced, rich, dark-coloured with rich plum and pretty floral, fruity aromatics. Luscious tannins which call one back into the glass - very appealing on the polished after taste!

Pinot noir is the most food flexible varietal.  Its richness comes from a multitude of layers of flavour. Enjoy with fish, poultry, game and red meat dishes!

A blend of the famous Bordeaux varieties cabernet sauvignon which is planted on well drained gravely soils good for close knit tannins merlot planted on alluvial clay based soils, giving the wine its richness and petit verdot grown in quartz based soils contributing to the deep colour. 

The wine is matured in French barriques for up to 24 months and then bottle aged in our cellars for a further 12 months before release.   

Produced in limited quantities with the cool climate resulting in a wine that is more Bordeaux in style, with alcohols in the region of 13%, supported by beautifully balanced acids and red fruits (cherry, strawberry and ripe plums).

Latest vintage - full bodied wine with ripe cassis fruit, well-integrated French oak and a long finish

Superb value for money, great packaging!  A full bodied wine with ripe, sweet banana and berry flavours. This wine shows remarkable complexity with soft grape tannins and a long dry finish. Classic in style.

This wine has been described as South Africa’s First Growth red wine.  The numerous awards won over the past decade substantiate this assessment.  Deep, ruby red colour - concentration of black current, cassis and tealeaf aromas. Good body with combination of power and elegance. Silky sweet tannin that leads to dry finish.

Deep ruby in appearance, the nose is filled with ripe, briary fruit where black currants and plums jostle alongside fine woodspice and cocoa notes. The palate is richly layered with full bodied tannins and waves of dense berry fruit, persisting in a long flavourful finish.

Bright golden in colour, the nose is filled with tropical aromas of dried pineapple, mango and with raisined, caramelised notes. The palate has a fresh acid entry which develops richness and envelopes the mouth in a fusion of tropical flavours tapering to a lingering, delicate finish.After harvesting selected shrivelled grapes, the berries are left to macerate on their skins for several days in order to soften, thus facilitating the recovery of their golden juice with pressing.

Wine Spectator March 2009: Offers lovely purity, with fresh-cut white peach and green fig aromas and flavors blazing along, while nectarine, lemon zest, honeysuckle and mineral notes extend the very long, precise finish. This has depth, length and cut. Muscat de Frontignan. Drink now through 2016. Score 94 – JM

Unoaked medium-bodied, chardonnay with tropical-fruit and lime characters.

Spicy and peppery with aromas of ripe, dried plums and mulberries.

Spicy and floral with concentrated violet and black pepper.  Medium-bodied and elegant.

The Coleraine of South Africa.  The wine has an intense, opaque deep ruby colour, very slight gradation to the rim. Bright and vivacious in the glass, very youthful.

Of bright crimson and ruby colour, this wine offers subtle and perfumed aromas of cherry and lavender. On the palate, an exquisitely balanced, soft and silky texture belies a wine with deceiving yet tremendous depth. Structured, yet deliciously smooth, the senses are treated to flavours reminiscent of black berries, loganberries, and wild plum.

Medium bodied, with luscious aromas of white peach and orange blossom, this wine is soft and gentle on the palate showing all the rich vibrancy of a typical Viognier with a fresh and deliciously lingering aftertaste.

This luscious cabernet franc is the definition of elegance. Harmoniously integrated flavours of blackberry, black cherry and plum mingle with tobacco, cinnamon and spice. Tannins are soft and gentle on the palate, and hints of dark chocolate and minerality on the long finish. A superb wine gently crafted with great love, and to be enjoyed the same way.

Somehow both rich and intense yet elegant and delicate on the palate. Honeyed pear, butterscotch, citrus flavours complemented by a firm minerality and spicy edge. A profound wine that changes perspectives.
Alc: 13.5  RS: 2.1  pH: 3.42   TA: 5.9

5 stars from Decanter Magazine (UK).

This wine encapsulates the classic Cabernet sauvignon characteristics like cigar box, pencil shavings with layers of blackberries and blueberries, coffee and mocha. The tannin structure should last 15 years. A "sure thing" with an aged rib-eye steak.

This is one of the Cape’s top chenin blancs, which has a loyal international following (where it is known as De Tradisie (the tradition) chenin blanc). The wine undergoes fermentation in seasoned barrels resulting in a style that is elegant, bone-dry and refreshing, almost Burgundian in texture and mouth-feel.

Chenin blanc is one of the most versatile of the noble grape varieties in the world as is demonstrated by the many styles emanating from South Africa and France’s Loire Valley. In the latter appellation, Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux make some of the world’s highly treasured Noble Late Harvested (NLH) sweet wines from chenin blanc.

In South Africa, Rudera produces one of the most sought-after Nobel Late wines. These wines have received a higher bidding price than any other wine at the auctions of the Cape Winemakers’ Guild.

Rudera Noble Late Chenin Blanc is exclusively produced in exceptional years when conditions are conducive to natural botrytis to accrue on parcels of grapes.

This is a wine for aficionados and collectors, and will age beautifully for decades to come.

As the name indicates, this is a robust and full-bodied chenin blanc, picked very ripe, barrel-fermented (with a fair percentage new oak) and left to finish with an almost off-dry residual sugar.  This wine is building a cult following!

Attractive dark ruby. The nose shows ripe berry, plum, chocolate and coffee flavours. There is also a hint of mint, spice and pencil shavings. The tannins are fine grained with great fruit-wood integration. Ideal with pasta, pizza, stews and premium red meat cuts.

Serious minded 2nd blend merlot, cabs & f 60/33/7 in firm, savoury 03, with pleasing red fruit, forceful dry tannins. As usual, no scimping on oak (+-30%new, 20mths). [John Platter]