These three wines of the month are not to be missed

Taaibosch Crescendo 2019

The sophomore release from Taaibosch Estate is an impressive and worthy follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2018 vintage. The wine is a magnificent expression of the Helderberg, and a true reflection of the terroir on which it is grown, cementing Crescendo as the most anticipated and perhaps impactful release for SA wine in a decade.

The cabernet franc-led Bordeaux blend offers mineral and earthy aromas that mingle with bright red fruits, Christmas spice and white pepper. Balanced and refined, the palate draws you in, beautiful fruit slowly yet surely coming to the fore, along with polished tannin leading to a long, lingering finish — an exceptionally elegant wine.

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Constantia White 2020

The latest release from Wade Bales’s regional series takes shape in the third vintage of the Constantia White. This is a collaborative project, which sees eight of the valley’s winemakers contribute to a wine that hopes to capture the style and identity of SA’s oldest wine-growing region.

The 2020 vintage was blended by the expert hands of Constantia Glen winemaker Justin van Wyk and comprises 78% sauvignon blanc and 22% semillon. A wine of texture and tension, the nose offers tropical fruit, coal-fired asparagus and delicate orange blossom, leading to a rich yet fresh palate, with stunning fruit concentration. Laser-focused acidity is balanced by a creamy, textured mouthfeel.

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Waterkloof Circumstance Mourvèdre 2018

A beautiful expression of this perhaps more unusual varietal, it is one of nine wines that make up the Circumstance range, and is produced from just two blocks of bush vine on the Stellenbosch property. Winemaker Nadia Barnhard Langenegger guides the wine to bottle with her minimal intervention approach to winemaking.

A savoury aroma on the nose reminiscent of spiced charcuterie is interwoven with perfumed notes of violet and red berries. The palate follows with hefty yet well-integrated tannins, superb structure and lovely length. This is a wonderful winter wine, well-suited to food pairings and evenings spent fire-side.

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