1. 2022 Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc (£14, Wine Society)

Very lively, almost petillant on the palate, a hint of oak, with a modest Sauvignon Blanc nose. Partially wild yeast fermented, close to the coast at Constantia, with 10 moths in old oak then long lees storage.

2. 2021 The Society’s Exhibition Chenin Blanc, Western Cape (Wine Society £14.50)

Made at Chris Alheit’s renowned winery in Hemel-en-Aarde, Distinctly yellow in the glass, with a slightly rustic fruity nose, this was barrel-fermented and aged on the lees. A good example of the SA Chenin style although not very distinctive.

3. 2021 Oak Valley Groenlandberg Chardonnay, Elgin (Wine Society £22)

Barrel fermented and aged, with a touch of oak on the nose. A lively citrus palate leading to complex white fruit on the mid-palate, and very long with wonderful mouthfeel. A Platter medal winner and not surprising as this was a real favourite on the night. 2020 The Liberator “Le Merle Noir”, Paarl (Wine Society £13.95) An unusual grape for SA as most Merlot that is grown goes into bleds, this was actually 15% Petit Verdot, hence the deep purple colour. Pleasant and avoids an jamminess but not a lot of character, palate fresh and plummy .

4. 2020 Radford Dale Black Rock, Swartland (Wine Society £17.50)

A complex blend of Syrah (43%), Cinsault (19%), Carignan (16%), Grenache (14%) and Mourvedre (8%), all co-fermented and only 12% abv. After 18 months in old oak, bottled without fining or filtration. Medium red with a touch of brown on the rim, I was not sure what to make of this “experimental” wine. Seemed somewhat dilute and not a lot of character, an odd wine.

5. 2020 Reynecke Syrah, Stellenbosch (Wine Society £19)

The winery majors on sustainability so biodynamic and organic practices here! Pressed with 30% stalks and matured in big oak barrels, good purple colour and rim. Quite savoury, spicy and mineralistic on the long palate, the tannins are held in check so wine could age well. A serious wine.

6. 2021 Beaumont Estate “Jackal’s River Pinotage, Bot River (Wine Society £17).

100% Pinotage, deep purple comlour deep red cherries and a hint of caramel on the palate, held together with strong but pleasant acidity as the tannins were fairly muted, some vanilla oak noted. A nice if unusual example of this ever-controversial grape.

7. 2022 Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Pinot Noir, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde (Wine Society £24).

Made with wild yeasts and aged in custom-made oak barrels (28% new oak) and with no fiing or filtration. Pale red with a superb cherry nose and a long and smooth palate, this is top Pinot Noir, more in the New World rather than the Burgundian more mineralistic style but nevertheless subtle and refined. Really good value, lay down for just a few years.