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If you love wine and would like to explore some exciting South African and international wines, you are at the right place! Decanter Wine Tastings offer both enthusiasts and skilled individuals the opportunity to taste various sparkling, white, rosé, red and sweet wines from all over the world with a focus on South Africa. There are various once-off events that are open to the public, held mostly in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Decanter Wine Club is for individuals who would like to explore a wider range of exciting wines on a regular basis. The club consists of a small group of enthusiasts in Johannesburg, tasting and discussing wines five times a year. The Decanter Wine Diaries include detailed information about a selection of wines, tasting notes and stories around wines from around the world. The tasting events, club and diaries are led by our Johannesburg based sommelier, Jaco Meyer.

Steenberg Black Swan Sauvignon Blanc 2024

The Steenberg Black Swan Sauvignon Blanc 2024 is a flagship Sauvignon Blanc from Durbanville, produced from a blend of the two top-performing vineyards on the estate. The name refers to the original farm, Swaaneweide, where spur-winged geese were once mistaken for swans. With nine months on the lees, this wine shows both power and refinement. In the glass, it has a clear, pale straw colour. It is very forthcoming on the nose, with pronounced notes of fresh asparagus leading t

Black Oystercatcher Blanc Fumé 2019

The Black Oystercatcher Blanc Fumé 2019 is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Elim, crafted in a more structured, lightly wooded style that brings additional depth to this typically fresh variety. In the glass, it shows a pale straw colour with a slight golden hue. The nose is forthcoming with notes of asparagus, subtle wood influence and delicate floral tones. On the palate, the wine develops with layers of white flowers, a nutty character and classic Sauvignon Blanc notes of goose

Zevenwacht Estate Merlot 2022

The Zevenwacht Estate Merlot 2022 is a 100% Merlot from the Polkadraai Hills in Stellenbosch, offering a soft and accessible expression of the variety. In the glass, it shows a medium garnet red colour. The nose is forthcoming with notes of plum, black fruit, perfume and a touch of oak. On the palate, it has a soft entry with a fruit-forward profile that leans slightly towards a perceived sweetness. Ripe plums lead the palate, supported by hints of red fruit and subtle notes

Lost Boy Fumé Blanc 2025

The Lost Boy Fumé Blanc 2025 is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Cape Agulhas. After tasting the Lost Boy Marea Sauvignon Blanc, expectations for this wine were very high, and it delivered exceptionally well. At this price point, it represents outstanding value for money, and even the label makes a strong impression. In the glass, it has a light golden colour. On the nose, it is very fresh and expressive, with notes of flowers, citrus and white stone fruit. On the palate, it devel

The Last Arrow Marsanne 2023

The Last Arrow Marsanne 2023 is a 100% Marsanne from Wellington, a grape variety mostly found in white Rhône-style blends, but here presented as a single varietal expression by one of the few producers working with it in this way. In the glass, it shows a deep golden colour. The nose is expressive and aromatic, with notes of orange blossom, apricot, stone fruit and a clear presence of honey. On the palate, the wine is soft and elegant, echoing the apricot, honey and floral no

Groenland Premium Merlot 2023

The Groenland Premium Merlot 2023 is a 100% Merlot from Stellenbosch, produced on a farm that has been in the Steenkamp family for four generations. It is a true hidden gem and offers excellent value for money, making it an ideal wine to impress without stretching the budget. In the glass, it shows a dark garnet colour. The nose is forthcoming with sweet fruit, black fruit and hints of red fruit, supported by notes of spice. On the palate, it has a soft and approachable entry

Wildekrans Barrel Select Cabernet Franc 2021

The Wildekrans Barrel Select Cabernet Franc 2021 is a 100% Cabernet Franc from Bot River, produced by a relatively young estate whose first wines were released in 1993. Many people are not aware that Wildekrans produces a Cabernet Franc, but it is certainly something to explore if you enjoy the farm’s wines. It certainly is unique in the sense that cool climate Cabernet Francs are not easy to find. In the glass, it shows a dark garnet colour. The nose is forthcoming with a co

Hartenberg Riesling 2025

The Hartenberg Riesling 2025 is a dry Riesling from Stellenbosch, produced by one of the few South African estates that continue to work consistently with this variety. As Riesling becomes increasingly scarce locally, this wine stands out as both a reliable and well-priced example. For those expecting a sweet, German-style Riesling, this will surprise, but for those who enjoy the floral, spicy and complex nature of the variety in a dry style, this is a strong offering. In the

Rustenberg John X Merriman 2022

The Rustenberg John X Merriman 2022 is a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), Merlot (20%), Malbec (11%) and Petit Verdot (6%) from one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa. This wine offers excellent value for money in its category, and what stands out here is the absence of Cabernet Franc and the inclusion of Malbec, which adds depth and richness to the overall profile. In the glass, it shows a deep ruby colour. It is forthcoming on the nose with classic no

Lyngrove Platinum Pinotage 2022

The Lyngrove Platinum Pinotage 2022 is a 100% Pinotage from Stellenbosch, produced by a relatively young estate that was established in 1998. The wine sets a clear expectation of quality and delivers well on that promise. In the glass, it has a deep dark red colour. It is forthcoming on the nose with a combination of red and black berries, supported by notes of spice. On the palate, it has a very soft entry, developing steadily with flavours of vanilla and oak coming through.

Sutherland Viognier/Roussanne 2023

The Sutherland Viognier / Roussanne 2023 is a blend of 70% Viognier and 30% Roussanne from a cool climate site, offering a more restrained and elegant expression of these Rhône varieties. In the glass, this wine has a light gold colour. It is fresh on the nose with notes of citrus, pear, white peach and a touch of honeycomb. On the palate, it enters with a gentle freshness, developing into flavours of jasmine, fresh yellow peach and a subtle hint of white pepper. The wine is

Kranskop Viognier 2023

The Kranskop Viognier 2023 is a 100% Viognier from Robertson, produced in very small quantities with only 1,300 bottles made. Wines in this style often lean either towards richness or freshness, and it is always interesting to see where a producer positions their expression of the variety. In the glass, this wine has a pale straw colour with a slight green hue. It is forthcoming on the nose with inviting notes of stone fruit and citrus, supported by hints of white flowers. On

Bosman Adama Nero 2019

The Bosman Nero wine is a very unique wine, as it is the only wine in South Africa that is currently made from the Nero d'Avola grape variety, a Sicilian red grape variety that produces fruity and spicy red wines. This wine is associated with the television personality Thapelo Mokoena. The vineyards of Nero d'Avola are planted in Wellington, that enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with unique climatic pockets. In the glass, this wine has a light burgundy red colour. The n

KWV Cape Tawny NV

The KWV Cape Tawny is an exceptional sweet wine that can be enjoyed by the glass, for those looking for something sweet, or with dessert. At its price, it is highly competitive with other sweet wines that are available on the South African market. Even if you do not like Port-style wines, this is something that you should try regardless! With a unique blend of Tinta Barocca, Cinsault, Souzão, Touriga Nacional, and Shiraz, this wine offers an amber to garnet colour in the gl

Vrede en Lust The Red Lady 2022

The Vrede en Lust The Red Lady is a wine that pays tribute to the ladies, working in the tasting room at Vrede en Lust, with their red dresses. One can also not miss them at wine shows and events, as they immediately draw attention with their bright red dresses. Finding a good red wine around the R150 price mark is scarce, but The Red Lady certainly hits the spot here! In the glass, this wine has a ruby colour with a nose of black berries and spices. It delivers well on the

Stellenview Kruger Family Reserve Chardonnay 2021

The Stellenview Kruger Family Reserve Chardonnay 2021 is a refined and elegant example of a Stellenbosch Chardonnay. Produced by Reino Kruger, it shows a balance of fruit, citrus and subtle oak influence, with a creamy, well-integrated texture. In the glass, it has a light golden colour. The nose shows yellow blossoms, vanilla, lime and peach, with gentle buttery notes. On the palate, it has a soft entry, good acidity and flavours of dried fruit, lemon and parsley. The wine

Groote Post Pinch of Salt Chardonnay 2023

The Groote Post Pinch of Salt Chardonnay 2023 is probably one of the most unusual Chardonnays you will taste from South Africa. The name “Pinch of Salt” refers to the three different fermentation methods used in its making: 50% stainless steel, 30% French oak and 20% amphorae. Taking a portion from each vessel, as if adding pinches of salt, results in a unique combination of freshness, depth and texture. The white wines from Groote Post are known for their saline character, t

L’Avenir Provenance Pinotage 2022

The L’Avenir Provenance Pinotage 2022 is a good example of how elegant and refined Pinotage can be when handled well. Produced in Stellenbosch by Dirk Coetzee, this wine shows the balance between fruit, spice and floral notes. In the glass, it has a bright ruby-red colour. The nose is spicy and floral, with an inviting freshness. On the palate, it delivers flavours of liquorice, violets, potpourri, cranberries and fresh plums, with some white pepper in the background. It ha

Strandveld Viognier 2023

The Strandveld Viognier is a coastal addition to the few Viogniers available in South Africa. It has a pale-yellow colour and is forthcoming on the nose, with sharp notes of apricots, vanilla and spices. It delivers well on the palate, with fresh apricot, peaches and roasted nuts. Some vanilla notes follow afterwards in the background, elevating coriander spices and honey. It takes one on a good tasting journey, with freshness throughout. What makes this wine really special

Kranskop Viognier Noble Late Harvest 2024

The Kranskop Viognier Noble Late Harvest 2024 is a small-production treasure, with only 1,330 bottles produced. Made with a traditional basket press, this wine captures the richness and elegance of Viognier in a concentrated, noble style that still retains a beautiful freshness. In the glass, it has a deep golden colour. The nose is forthcoming with notes of dried fruit, apricot, honeysuckle, and a bouquet of white and yellow flowers. On the palate, it shows layers of dried

Vergelegen Straw Wine 2021

The Vergelegen Straw Wine has been made by drying Sémillon grapes that reached a good ripeness on straw mats. This way, the concentration of the grape juice is sweet and intense. However, this straw wine also has a good elegancy to it, making it slightly different to its counterparts. In the glass, this wine has a gold yellow colour with a syrupy viscosity. On the nose, it offers tropical fruit, citrus and stone fruits with a slight note of earthiness. The acidity on the pa

Le Chant du Coq Rouge 2019

The Le Chant du Coq Rouge is a collaboration between the Oddo family, Willie Joubert, Schalk-Willem Joubert and Petri Venter to bring the best of two worlds in one single bottle. The vineyards in Polkadraai are organically farmed and an interesting blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Sangiovese is fermented in French oak barrels, transferred to cement tanks and bottled after a process of approximately 24 months. It is left to settle in the bottle f

Allée Bleue Blanc de Blanc MCC 2021

Allée Bleue Blanc de Blanc MCC is a very crisp and pleasing sparkling wine. It has lively and inviting bubbles, and offers notes of citrus and fresh stone fruit on the nose. The entry is fresh, with a quick explosion of grapefruit, followed by heavier notes of baked green apple, freshly baked bread, hazelnut and cream. It remains fresh throughout, with a long mineral finish. This wine delivers well and comes at a good price. It should be served chilled and in a flute glass.

Saronsberg Viognier 2022

The Saronsberg Viognier is a fantastic white wine from the Tulbagh-based winery and delivers some of the best Viognier that one can find in South Africa. In the glass, it has a pale-yellow colour, with fresh and forthcoming notes of orange blossom and apricots. It delivers well on the palate, with an elegant finish, bringing forth the apricots and ripe white pear. White floral notes and honey follow soon after. It has a good acidity for Viognier and it finishes off with a s