Critic Jancis Robinson MW was impressed by "the great strides that have been taken in red wine quality" in South Africa. After a tasting, she wrote, "Most of the reds I encountered were really delicious — with fine examples of Cabernet Sauvignon". This ace red is from the De Wet winery in Robertson. It's a 19th-century family estate with extensive plantings of Cabernet (nearly half their vineyards) and count themselves specialists of this grape.

For the Heritage Reserve, winemaker Johann Stemmet searched out the finest, lowest-yield grapes from the limestone soils of this great region. Ageing nearly half the wine in French and American oak has lent a rich layer of spice to the dense notes of cassis. Open early and get the steak sizzling.

Critic Tim Atkin declared, "For wine lovers, South Africa offers something special," while the Press Association wrote, "South African winemakers are producing an abundance of world-class wines". Excelsior Estate has been doing just that for 150 years, since its foundation in Robertson in 1870. It's still owned today by the De Wet family, with Freddie and his son Peter running the show. Their philosophy is that great wine is made in the vineyard, so they put much work into tending their vines.

Their Heritage Reserve wines use their finest grapes from the lowest yielding vines on the region's premium limestone soils, all to ensure intense flavour. Ripe, but with zesty freshness, this white is great with ginger-spiced pork or noodle soup.

This bright, fresh white is named after the Elephant Tree you see on the label. Adored by these great beasts for munching on, it is also cherished for its amazing ability to soak up carbon! Not even fast-growing bamboo can match it.

The wine was made by the talented Leon Esterhuizen at the sustainable, community-minded Journey's End winery. It was awarded 'Drinks Business Ethical Company of the Year 2021' and also in that same year, the 'Water Management Award' for the second time. It's owned by the Gabb family, instrumental in putting South Africa’s wine on millions of dinner tables around the world during the past 30 years. Chill down well, this white makes mouthwatering refreshment on its own, or with salads or lightly spiced dishes.