Capensis Chardonnay 2021 - The greatest Chardonnays ever produced in South Africa

2019 Cantemerle - Bordeaux Bargain!

The 2019 vintage of Cantemerle has seen remarkable score upgrades since its En Primeur release, rising from an initial 89–91 points to 94 and even 95 points in bottle. Neal Martin was the most recent to taste it—blind, no less—and awarded it 93 points, declaring: “This is a really fabulous Cantemerle that surely represents outstanding value. No excuse not to have this in your cellar.”

One of the oldest classified estates in the Médoc, Chateau Cantemerle boasts a legacy dating back to the 12th century. Located in the southern Haut-Médoc near Macau, its gravel-rich terroir produces elegant, aromatic wines that favour finesse over power. Since its 1855 classification, Cantemerle has become known for offering reliably age-worthy Bordeaux at fair prices. Modern investment and expert winemaking have only sharpened its identity: graceful, Cabernet-led blends with poise, perfume, and real Left Bank charm.

The 2019 Cantemerle is a standout vintage, praised for its precision, charm, and exceptional value. Aromas of blackcurrant, violet, cedar, and herbs lead into a polished, medium-bodied palate with silky tannins and a bright, fresh finish. With huge score upgrades on the in bottle tastings up 95 points, it balances Left Bank structure with graceful finesse. Aged in 40% new oak, it shows real depth and ageing potential. Classic, characterful, and beautifully priced—this is one to have in the cellar.

With a drinking window stretching to 2050, this is a wine to enjoy now or lay down with confidence. Neal Martin calls it “a really fabulous Cantemerle that surely represents outstanding value”—and we couldn’t agree more. At just €21* In Bond per bottle this week, Cantemerle 2019 is top-class claret at everyday prices—an unmissable opportunity for Bordeaux lovers.

 

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Cantemerle 2019

€21.50 In Bond per bottle

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95 Points | James Suckling

A red with lots of currant, blackberry, fresh-herb and tobacco character. Hint of mushroom, too. It’s full and layered with polished, chewy tannins and a bright and fresh finish. Very long and focused. Give it time to come together. Very classic character here. Best after 2026.

94 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

Green pepper and herbaceous notes on the nose with minty eucalyptus alongside ripe cherry and blackcurrant aromas - so classic. A lovely mouthfeel here, smooth, well defined and preise. Quite direct, serious and darkly fruited - such a concentrated core - but with smooth tannins, a soft sweetness and freshness that lifts the overall frame. Balanced with succulence. Makes a lasting impact and impression. A great value pick.

93 Points | Vinous, Neal Martin

The 2019 Cantemerle has a fruit-driven bouquet with opulent blackberry and blueberry fruit, certainly one of the most floral in the flight with pressed violets developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, fleshy and rounded, though I am looking for more tension and precision on the finish. This is a really fabulous Cantemerle that surely represents outstanding value. No excuse not to have this in your cellar. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Drinking Window: 2025 - 2050

93 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

Sweet berry, plum and cassis fruit, this is ripe with precision, finesse and tension, fragrant rose and black tea aromatics, balanced, easy to share, the finesse of Cantemerle is on full display, chalky with a scrape of graphite, plenty of Left Bank signature. 55hl/h yield, 40% new oak for ageing, Eric Boissenot consultant, Philippe Dambrine estate director.

92 Points | Wine Advocate, William Kelley

Opening in the glass with notions of rich berry fruit, licorice, cedar, violets and loamy soil, the 2019 Cantemerle is medium to full-bodied, with a fleshy core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins that gently assert themselves on the finish. This shut down a little after bottling (some 11 months ago at the time of writing), but it is beginning to bounce back to reveal a wine of real charm and character.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

See all wines and vintages of Cantemerle. 

2022 Guidalberto

The smart way into Sassicaia’s world-class terroir—at a third of the price. Guidalberto has quietly become one of Italy’s best buys. It shares the same coastal vineyards, family, and finesse as Sassicaia, but offers earlier drinking and extraordinary value. With fruit once destined for its legendary sibling and serious critical acclaim, the 2022 is a standout vintage—and a rare chance to buy into greatness.

Tenuta San Guido is one of Italy’s most iconic wine estates, located in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast. Founded by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, it revolutionised Italian wine with the creation of Sassicaia—the original Super Tuscan. The estate spans rolling hills near the Tyrrhenian Sea, where Cabernet vines thrive in gravelly soils. Today, under the guidance of the Incisa della Rocchetta family, San Guido produces refined, age-worthy wines that marry Bordeaux structure with Mediterranean elegance.

“Guidalberto gives you a good taste of the same DNA that brings us one of Italy's greatest wines, Sassicaia” - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

Guidalberto, once viewed as Sassicaia’s younger sibling, now stands proudly on its own. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it reflects the same exceptional terroir and craftsmanship, but with a more accessible, fruit-driven profile. The 2022 vintage is fresh and poised, offering waves of ripe berries, wild herbs, and coastal minerality, framed by sleek tannins and subtle oak. Aged in French barrique and crafted with increasing precision, Guidalberto is a charismatic, stylish wine that delivers serious pedigree and outstanding value.

The 2022 rendition of Guidalberto is the joint highest scoring vintage according to the Wine Advocate, who scores 94 points, which is on par with legendary vintages like 2016 (94+WA). Over the last few years, the quality of Guidalberto has increased as some fruit destined for Sassicaia was put in the Guidalberto blend instead.

Guidalberto is one of Italy’s smartest buys, and we’ve secured a parcel at a very sharp price. The 2022 vintage is available at €32.50* In Bond per bottle when buying a case, or €33.50* In Bond for single bottles. A rare chance to add wines from one of the world’s great estates to your cellar.

 

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Guidalberto 2022

€33.50* In Bond per bottle

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94 Points | Wine Advocate, Monica Larner

Made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Tenuta San Guido 2022 Guidalberto gives you a good taste of the same DNA that brings us one of Italy's greatest wines, Sassicaia, but it's offered in a more immediate style here (thanks to the addition of the Merlot). This warm vintage opens to medium-dark concentration and very plump aromas that take you immediately to blackberry and blackcurrant sitting out in the sun at your local farmers market. The wine shows a soft and gentle side with a pretty level of elegance transmitted through the fruit freshness and the light oak spice that is discernible here but delivered with grace. Drinking Window: 2024 - 2030

94 Points | James Suckling

Lots of mint with sage and fresh rosemary to the currant and orange character on the nose, as well as some ripe raspberries. The palate is very refined with creamy and crunchy tannins that run the length of the wine. It shows a crunchy and energetic personality. Give it a year or two to come together, but it’s showing brightness for the vintage. Drink after 2027.

94 Points | Wine Enthusiast

If Sassicaia is the thoroughbred of the San Guido stable then Guidalberto is the warmblood: athletic, elegant, creative, energetic. A delight to watch, and even better to sip it turns out.

93 Points | Decanter, James Button

Guidalberto used to be great value for money, and even though it's a bit pricier these days, the quality has also improved dramatically in recent vintages as Tenuta San Guido seeks to remove the idea of Guidalberto as a ‘second wine’ by building a dedicated winemaking facility and adjusting the blend. The 2022 is loaded with herbal and sea breeze scents among bright, tangy berries. In the mouth it is saline and precise, with a succulence to the concentrated plum and black berry core, and a gracefulness to the tannic and acid structures which weave through it. Sapid and incredibly moreish, with a beautifully ripe red berry finish, this really does stand up on its own two feet.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

See all available wines and vintages of San Guido.

We love grower champagnes, so we are pleased to offer Adrien Renoir:

“Every new release from Renoir seems to surpass the last, so I can only encourage readers to start paying attention to one of Champagne's brightest young talents.” - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Adrien Renoir is one of Champagne’s most exciting new-generation growers, crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines from Verzy Grand Cru. He made his first vintage in 2014 and took over his family’s five-hectare estate in Verzy in 2019, refocusing on single-parcel expressions from 70% Pinot Noir, 27% Chardonnay, and a touch of Pinot Meunier. Committed to organic farming since 2017 and certified in 2020, he also pioneers agroforestry by integrating hedges and trees throughout his vineyards. With deep respect for his grandfather’s traditions and a sharp eye on the future, he’s putting Verzy—and his name—on the map of artisanal Champagne.

In the cellar, Renoir crafts wines with precision and minimal intervention. Since 2015, he’s fermented entirely in 228-liter oak barrels—renewing just 5–8% annually—and ages reserve cuvées in large foudres. All wines undergo native yeast fermentation, full malolactic conversion, no temperature control, and minimal sulfur. They are disgorged using jetting with no added sulfites, then lightly dosed with liqueur d’expédition and grape must. The result: taut, gastronomic Champagnes that perfectly express their north-facing Verzy terroir. His Champagnes combine tension and generosity, offering a remarkable balance of chalky minerality, ripe fruit, and vinous complexity that resonates long after the glass is empty.

William Kelley of the Wine Advocate has been raving about Adrien Renoir over the last few vintages writing, "Every new release from Renoir seems to surpass the last, so I can only encourage readers to start paying attention to one of Champagne's brightest young talents".

We have a limited number of bottles, 6 of each of 2019’s and 12 of the 2016’s - these all come with a special introductory price.

If you're passionate about grower Champagne and discovering the next big thing, this is a rare chance to taste the artistry of a rising star.

 

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Adrien Renoir Verzy Grand Cru Les Epinettes 2019

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94 Points | Wine Advocate

Sourced from old massal selection Pinot Noir planted in 1973, the 2019 Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Les Epinettes hails from one of Renoir’s oldest Pinot Noir sites, where the soil consists of 1.2 meters of clay before the roots reach chalk. Demonstrative yet racy, it soars from the glass with notes of crisp read apple, spices and tangerine zest. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly muscular and concentrated, with a generous core of fruit balanced by refreshing, racy acidity and a distinct vein of minerality, it concludes with a long, precise finish. This parcel is located just 300 meters from Les Montants.

 

Adrien Renoir Verzy Grand Cru Les Vignes Goisses 2019

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94 Points | Wine Advocate

Issuing from a parcel of massal selection Pinot Meunier planted in 1962 on limestone soil, Renoir's 2019 Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Les Vignes Goisses is the only cuvée crafted entirely from Pinot Meunier, a variety that makes up just 3% of the estate's plantings. Disgorged in November 2023 with a dosage of 0.8 grams per liter, it soars from the glass with aromas of red apple, orange zest and spices mingling with aromatic bitters. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, with a charming core of fruit, chalky structuring extract and a saline finish.

 

Adrien Renoir Verzy Grand Cru Les Montants 2019

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94 Points | Wine Advocate

Renoir's 2019 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Montants is the only cuvée in the lineup crafted entirely from Chardonnay. The fruit for this wine comes from one of the family’s oldest parcels, part of which was planted in 1961 with massal selection. After just 40 centimeters of topsoil, the roots reach into the chalk. Disgorged in July 2023 with a dosage of one gram per liter, it reveals aromas of white flowers, green apple, fresh hazelnut and lemon zest. Full-bodied, generously structured and concentrated, it is underpinned by racy acidity and a chalky, tensile mid-palate, finishing with a long, citrus-inflected finale. The vineyard’s northwest exposure helps strike a delicate balance between generosity and freshness, especially in warm years like this.

 

Adrien Renoir Verzy Grand Cru Millesime 2016

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Tasting Note:

70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir from 40+ year old vines in Verzy Grand Cru. Aged around 60 months on lees and vinified in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation. The wine offers a soft, generous texture with notes of citrus, ripe stone fruit, light brioche, Turkish delight and a gently tart freshness. Balanced dosage at 6g/l adds lift to this richly satisfying vintage expression.

 

See all available wines and vintages of Adrien Renoir 

Envínate: Redefining Spanish terroir, one wild vineyard at a time.

Envínate is one of Spain’s most dynamic and talked-about wine projects. Founded by four friends—Alfonso, José Ángel, Laura, and Roberto—who met at enology school, the winery has redefined Spanish terroir with their minimal-intervention approach and focus on volcanic, Atlantic-influenced sites. Working across Tenerife, Ribeira Sacra, and Almansa, Envínate champions old vines, wild fermentations, and zero frills. Their wines are raw, pure expressions of place—textured, soulful, and brimming with energy and authenticity. Today we have two wines to present and we love them both:

Envínate Benje Tinto 2022

The 2022 Benje Tinto comes from high-altitude vineyards on the volcanic slopes of Tenerife’s rugged interior. Made primarily from Listán Prieto (Mission) with a splash of other native varieties, it’s fermented with whole bunches and aged in neutral barrels. Smoky, herbal, and red-fruited, it’s both ethereal and gripping, with salty minerality and vivid acidity. Light on its feet yet packed with character, this is a distinctive, island-born red that drinks more like Cru Beaujolais with a volcanic twist.

Envinate Taganan Blanco 2023

The 2023 Taganan Blanco is a vivid, Atlantic-driven white from Tenerife’s rugged north coast. Sourced from ancient, ungrafted vines grown on volcanic soils, this field blend includes Listán Blanco, Albillo Criollo, Gual and others. Fermented with native yeasts and aged in old barrels, it’s textured and saline, with notes of citrus peel, herbs, smoke and crushed stone. A wine of energy and tension, it captures the wild beauty of the Canary Islands.

Both wines come with strong Wine Advocate scores and offer exceptional value for their quality and character. If you're curious about Spain’s new wave or already a fan of vibrant, terroir-driven wines, Envínate is essential drinking. With limited quantities and growing cult status, now is the time to get them added to your collection.

 

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Envínate Benje Tinto 2022

€22.95* inc VAT per bottle

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94+ Points | Wine Advocate, Luis Gutiérrez

The red 2022 Benje is floral, expressive, clean and elegant, reflecting a very good year in the region, with notes of rose petals and talcum powder, a fine texture and very elegant tannins. This has to be the most elegant Benje to date. 28,000 bottles. It was bottled in July 2023.

Envinate Taganan Blanco 2023

€30.50* inc VAT per bottle

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95+ Points | Wine Advocate, Luis Gutiérrez

The 2023 Táganan Blanco didn't go through malolactic and matured in larger barrels (they are abandoning the 228-liter oak barrels), and the wine seems to have gained in freshness. It's also less reductive—volcanic, yes, but less reductive. It has 11.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.02 with 7.24 grams of acidity. It's vibrant and sharp, clean, light to medium-bodied, with purity and symmetry. This wine is going from strength to strength. 6,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2024.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change

 

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Lourens Family Wines

“Franco Lourens, who spent some time working alongside Chris Alheit at Hemelrand in Hemel-en-Aarde and now uses the same facilities in Paarl as Lukas van Loggerenberg, is making some tremendously good wines, with Skuinskap Steen quickly becoming one of the best in the country. Volumes, however, are small so don’t hang about tracking them down" - Christian Eedes, winemag.co.za

Lourens Family Wines has quickly earned a reputation for precision and purity, thanks to Franco Lourens’ thoughtful winemaking and Alheit-trained eye (where he was assistant winemaker). Since launching his own label in 2016, Franco has carved out a reputation for crafting vibrant, site-driven wines that reflect his meticulous vineyard focus and low-intervention winemaking. Sourcing old vines from across the Cape, his wines are textured, nuanced and deeply expressive, offering some of the finest expressions of the Cape’s modern winemaking talent.

The 2021 Howard John is Lourens Family Wines’ flagship red blend—named after Franco’s father—and easily ranks as one of the Cape’s best-value reds. A soulful mix of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah from granite-rich vineyards in Polkadraai Hills and Piekenierskloof, it delivers Rhône charm with a distinctly South African freshness.

What strikes you first is just how the wine jumps out of the glass at you. Perfumed red berries, floral lift, savoury spice and zesty acidity come together in an elegant, layered, and wonderfully drinkable expression of Franco’s restrained yet vibrant style.

At just 13% alcohol and €25* inc VAT per bottle, it punches far above its weight—ludicrously good for the price and a serious insider’s tip.

 

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Lourens Family Wines Howard John 2021

€25.50* inc NL VAT per bottle

€25* inc NL VAT when when buying a case

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95 Points | Christian Eedes

50% Grenache Noir (25% whole-bunch fermented), 30% Cinsault and 20% Syrah (100% whole-bunch fermented), all grapes sourced from the Swartland. Enticing aromatics of red berries, floral perfume, herbs and spice while the palate is wonderfully energetic – pure fruit, really bright acidity and powdery tannins, the finish having a saline quality. This is nicely weighted with an alcohol of 13% – not too slight but still elegant.

93 Points | Vinous, Neal Martin

Undergoing 80% whole cluster ferment and 10 months in used French oak, the 2021 Howard John Red Blend has a well-defined, perfumed bouquet with red berry fruit, Earl Grey, touches of wild fennel and cracked black pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy, caressing opening, pure red cherries and crushed strawberry with quite a sweet, ample finish. This is a lovely Rhône blend - very seductive. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2035

93 Points | Tim Atkin MW

Named after Franco Lourens' dad, whose image features on the label, Howard John is a Swartland assemblage of Grenache with 30% Cinsault and 15% Syrah, sourced from a combination of granite and iron-rich clay soils. Fermented with 25% whole clusters, it has some stony reduction, pomegranate and goji berry flavours and sinewy tannins.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

See all wines from Lourens Family Wines

2020 Cantenac Brown

We love finding wines that over-deliver, and Cantenac Brown does exactly that. With a 97-point score from Vinous, the 2020 vintage marks the estate’s highest-rated release to date.

With its striking Tudor-style château and a history dating back to 1806, Cantenac Brown stands out in Margaux for both style and substance. Now led by a new generation and backed by sustainable practices and precision viticulture, the estate is in top form. The wines are bold yet refined, a true reflection of its terroir. Recent vintages show remarkable depth and finesse, marking Cantenac Brown as one of Margaux’s most dynamic rising stars.

The 2020 Cantenac Brown is a thrilling Margaux, praised across the board for its power, precision and ageing potential. It’s a deeply structured wine with layers of dark cherry, cassis, graphite and spice, all wrapped in silky tannins. Sourced partly from newly acquired plateau parcels, it shows both richness and classical restraint.

With major score upgrades from barrel to bottle, this might be a wine that slipped under your radar. Jeb Dunnuck raised his score from 92–94 to 96 points, while Antonio Galloni upgraded it from 94–97 to a full 97 points—making the 2020 Cantenac Brown Vinous’ highest-rated vintage to date, outscoring even the highly regarded 2010 (94 points, now selling for €55+ IB).

“it has terrific purity, and it’s just a brilliant Margaux. I followed this bottle for multiple days, and it never put a foot wrong” - Jeb Dunnuck

With critical acclaim pouring in and pricing that still sits well below its top-tier peers, the 2020 Cantenac Brown offers serious pedigree at a smart price. At €39.50 IB per bottle, this is your chance to secure the château’s best-ever release before the rest of the market catches up.

 

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Cantenac Brown 2020

€39.50* In Bond per bottle

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97 Points | Vinous - Antonio Galloni

The 2020 Cantenac Brown is a knock-out. A Margaux of towering intensity, the 2020 is dense and vertical at the same time. It’s a combination that works so well. Dark cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves all saturate the palate. There's real depth and concentration here from the summer heat and small size of the berries, but at the same time the 2020 has more freshness and energy than some recent years. There have been quite a few changes here in recent years, starting with a new parcel on the Margaux plateau that entered the blend in 2019 and move towards lower toast levels in the barrels. Cantenac Brown remains a potent, opulent Margaux, but 2020 has a measure of classicism as well. Superb. Drinking Window: 2026 - 2040

96 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

The 2020 Château Cantenac Brown showed beautifully and is a serious, concentrated, powerful Margaux that's going to need bottle age. Ripe blackcurrants, toasty oak, ripe tobacco, and dried flower notes all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, balanced mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It shows the more focused, slightly understated style of the vintage, yet everything is in the right place, it has terrific purity, and it’s just a brilliant Margaux. I followed this bottle for multiple days, and it never put a foot wrong. It will hit its prime drinking window in 7-8 years and evolve for two decades.

96 Points | The Wine Cellar Insider, Jeff Leve

Deep, dark and rich, the wine is packed from start to finish with layers of lush, polished, ripe, sweet, pure, black and dark red fruits, flowers, espresso, hints of chocolate and oceanic influences. There is a beautiful sense of symmetry, purity, freshness, length and lift that already expresses its essence. The finish continues with its layers of ripe, opulent, yet refined fruits. This is a top vintage for Cantenac Brown that will age gracefully for 2-3 decades. Drink from 2026-2055.

94+ Points | Wine Advocate, William Kelley

A fine follow-up to the excellent 2019, the 2020 Cantenac Brown incorporates newly acquired holdings of Cabernet Sauvignon from the plateau of Margaux. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries, cassis, burning embers and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with good depth at the core, supple tannins and terrific purity of fruit. Concluding with a long, penetrating finish, it underlines the fact that this is the appellation's fastest-improving estate.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

See all wines from Cantenac Brown

Bodegas Chacra
98-Pointed Patagonia Chardonnay made by Burgundy royalty Jean-Marc Roulot

Founded by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta (Sassicaia Family) in 2004, Bodega Chacra is a remarkable Patagonian estate dedicated to biodynamic viticulture and purity of expression. Nestled in Río Negro, it cultivates Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from old, ungrafted vines planted in the 1930s. With a commitment to sustainability and minimal intervention, Chacra wines are transparent reflections of place. The wines combine Burgundian finesse with Argentine vitality, offering a unique taste of South America’s southern frontier.

Chacra’s Chardonnays are crafted in partnership with Jean-Marc Roulot, one of Burgundy’s most revered winemakers. While Piero Incisa della Rocchetta takes the lead on Pinot Noir, Roulot has complete creative freedom on the Chardonnay—it’s 100% made by him. Sourced from Gualtallary’s high-altitude, calcareous soils, the wine is whole-bunch pressed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and matured in seasoned oak. There’s no battonage, no new oak, and minimal sulphur, resulting in a wine of remarkable purity, tension, and mineral-driven finesse.

The ‘Chacra’ Chardonnay is the flagship white of the range—precise, layered and deeply mineral. Aged in large-format barrels and concrete, it combines citrus purity with saline tension and refined texture. Think Puligny with Patagonian clarity: bright, structured and built to age. James Suckling awarded it 98 points, calling it “probably the finest answer to Puligny or Meursault in Argentina... all about texture and purity. Also intellectual.” With Roulot’s Pulignys now exceeding €350 per bottle, this is a rare chance to enjoy world-class Chardonnay at a fraction of the price of his Burgundy domaine.

The Mainqué Chardonnay offers a vibrant and expressive style, blending Roulot’s finesse with Patagonia’s sun-kissed fruit. Aged partly in stainless steel, it’s fresher and more immediate than ‘Chacra’ with notes of lemon zest, orchard fruit and gentle toast. Lively, textured and irresistibly drinkable, it delivers immense quality at a more approachable price. In 2022, both Decanter and Suckling declare this to be the finest rendition of this cuvee yet - a worthy starting point for those who have not tried the wines yet.

When we tried the wines, we loved them and have wanted to share this tip for a while, so here we are. Classic styled Chardonnay lovers, don’t hesitate. These really are some of Argentina’s finest rendition of this grape. Don’t miss them.

Photo: the lineup from our lunch with Pierro a few years ago

 

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Chacra 'Chacra' Chardonnay 2022

€89.50* inc VAT per bottle

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98 Points | James Suckling

This is probably the finest answer to Puligny or Meursault in Argentina and it will be hard to pass by. Beautiful brioche notes give a fine creaminess with mineral, fine reduction, beeswax and a hint of white sesame to the lemon curd. Extremely textured and tense on the palate with fresh, medium acidity and a long, long finish. This is all about texture and purity. Also intellectual. Drink or hold. From biodynamically grown grapes.

96 Points | Decanter

Although initially shy, the 2022 unfurls with delicate layers of seashells, Meyer lemon and apple pie. Its acidity is taut as a tightrope, yet enveloped in flesh and quiet power. Complex, crystalline and my favourite vintage yet.

95 Points | Vinous, Joaquín Hidalgo

The 2022 Chardonnay, vinified in 50% oak and 50% amphorae, hails from Mainqué in Río Negro. Yellow-hued, with a greenish sheen, the 2022 offers enticing aromas of cream, corn and green apple, underscored by hints of lime, herbs and green tea. Dry and creamy, the saline-driven, refreshing palate lingers long on the fruit notes. This is quite a complex, oxidative, pure Chardonnay.

 
Chacra Mainque Chardonnay 2022

€47.50* inc VAT per bottle

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97 Points | James Suckling

Such a flinty nose that delivers a full package of minerality. Quarry, chalk, gun powder and lime. The nose really speaks to you. Creamy and textured on the palate with bright but chiselled acidity and real tension. One of the best Mainque’s ever? Chacra’s answer to fine Chablis. Drink or hold. From biodynamically grown grapes.

93 Points | Vinous, Joaquín Hidalgo

The 2022 Chardonnay Mainqué hails from Río Negro. Yellow-hued, with a greenish sheen in color, it offers reductive aromas of gun powder, honey and ripe pear, accented by hints of chamomile. Dry and refreshing, the round, creamy palate lingers long, finishing with a saline touch. This is a transparent and delicate Chardonnay.

93 Points | Decanter

Arguably the finest vintage of Mainqué to date. Broad yet focused, the 2022 offers a honeyed texture cut by a spine of acidity. A hint of gunflint on the nose gives way to flavours of white peach, camomile and sea spray. Lively and complete.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 
See all available wines and vintages of Chacra.

2022 Boekenhoutskloof Semillon

98-Points - “One of the Cape's greatest whites”

Founded in 1776 and revitalised in the 1990s, Boekenhoutskloof is one of South Africa’s most revered wine estates. Tucked away in Franschhoek, it balances heritage and innovation under the guidance of winemaker Marc Kent. Known for producing the iconic Chocolate Block and outstanding single-varietal wines, the estate champions site-specific expression and minimal intervention. Boekenhoutskloof has become a benchmark for South African wine, crafting elegant, age-worthy bottlings from both heritage vineyards and cutting-edge viticulture.

Boekenhoutskloof’s 2022 Semillon is a profound expression of ancient Franschhoek vineyards planted in 1902, 1936, and 1942. With 98 points from Tim Atkin MW, it marries layers of saffron, lanolin, gunflint, and citrus with remarkable texture and vibrancy. A small addition of early-picked Muscat adds lift, while ageing in amphora, concrete, and new oak builds depth. Elegant yet powerful, this is one of South Africa’s greatest white wines—ethereal, age-worthy, and utterly captivating in every detail.

Outside of Bordeaux, there are only a handful of truly great Semillons in the world—and this is unquestionably one of them. Scoring 98-Points from Tim Atkin MW and coming in at a modest price tag of €31.50* IB per bottle, we can’t recommend this enough.

Semillon truly comes into its own with age, so add these to your collection, tuck them away, and let time do the work. You won’t regret it.

 

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Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2022

€31.50* In Bond per bottle

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98 Points | Tim Atkin MW

"Wow!". That sums up what I feel about the latest vintage of this stunning Semillon from three parcels in Franschhoek, planted in 1902, 1936 and 1942. One of the Cape's greatest whites, made by one of its most talented winemakers in Gottfried Mocke, it has aromas of saffron, lanolin and nutmeg, stylish 70% new wood, a touch of petrichor and aniseed and layers of citrus, lemongrass and gunflint.

19 Points | Matthew Jukes

This ancient vine Semillon (with its hints of blushing Muscat) has never looked more alluring. The expansive but slender chassis gives way to a brittle, teasing finish, and the floral, silver needle, and jasmine notes are overwhelmingly rhythmic and hypnotic. 2022 Boek Sem experience is like no other Semillon on earth.

95 Points | Decanter

This stunning Sém is made from some of South Africa's oldest vines: two vineyards planted in 1902 and 1942 in the ancient Franschhoek riverbed and the La Colline vineyard, planted in 1936 on a slope further up the valley. The blend also contains a small percentage of early-picked Muscat of Alexandria from the 1902 vineyard, to add acidity rather than aromatics. It is skin-fermented and matured in amphora, while the Semillon ages for 14 months in 70% new French oak barriques and 30% in concrete eggs, allowing texture to develop. Such purity and vibrancy to the golden citrus aromatics, with zesty grapefruit and honeyed nuttiness. Complex and concentrated palate, driven by a streak of minerality, with layers of pristine citrus and stone fruit, hints of nuts, apple and chamomile; a touch of salinity too. Textured and long, this will continue to deliver with time in bottle.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

See all available wines from Boekenhoutskloof

Lokoya is Napa Valley’s ultimate expression of mountain terroir, producing rare, powerful Cabernet Sauvignons from four of the region’s most exalted elevations. Since its founding in 1995, Lokoya has captivated collectors with single-vineyard bottlings from Mount Veeder, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, and Diamond Mountain—each showcasing the tension, structure, and intensity that only high-altitude vines can deliver. Crafted by winemaker Christopher Carpenter, these wines are age-worthy, complex and bold, yet refined. With low production and cult status, Lokoya is one of California’s most prized producers of site-specific Cabernet.

Lokoya sources fruit exclusively from the upper reaches of Napa’s most rugged mountain AVAs: Mount Veeder, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, and Diamond Mountain. These high-altitude vineyards—ranging from 1,200 to 2,600 feet—offer poor, rocky soils, cooler temperatures, and dramatic diurnal shifts. The result? Wines of intensity, structure, and freshness, with deep colour, fine tannins, and remarkable ageing potential. Each site is vinified separately, capturing the essence of its elevation and geology. At Lokoya, altitude isn’t just a feature—it’s the foundation.

 

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We've attached a few photos from our visit below: