Four undisputed gems

STARK-CONDÉ OUDE NEKTAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017

Having been awarded the highest honours in John Platter’s latest wine guide (five stars), as well as a hefty 97 points from both British Master of Wine Tim Atkin and winemag.co.za editor Christian Eedes, this is an undisputed gem. An intense cassis and citrus-rind aroma leads to firm yet elegant tannins and a lingering finish, like smoke after a fire.

R850 per bottle. 

TOKARA TELOS 2016

The Telos is the best expression of what Tokara stands for. An ultra-premium wine of profound quality from an 18-year-old single vineyard, there will only ever be 1 000 (numbered) bottles produced each vintage. The 2016 Telos, a blend of cabernet sauvignon with 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc, was aged in 60% new oak. This is a rare and super-limited collectible.

Priced at R4 400 per 750ml bottle.

BOLLINGER 

As the official champagne of 007, this is the ideal buy for your own international man of mystery. A limited-edition gift box — with an exclusive special cuvée champagne — features the silhouette of James Bond alongside his Aston Martin DB5. Inside the bottle, the very best French pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier champagnes come together to create an intense, aromatic bubbly like no other. Available nationally at select fine-wine merchants for approximately R1 100 per bottle. 

BACCO PRELUDE ROSÉ 2O2O

Gently pressed malbec grapes lend this wine, from one of the Cape’s newest estates, its delicate copper-pink colour, which belies a zesty, fresh aroma and palate. This is a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to be a hit at any summer luncheon. R180 per bottle. 

• From the March edition of Wanted, 2022.