If you’ve been waiting for a reason to explore the Swartland’s new guard, this is it.
On 27 February at Museum Wines HQ, we’re pouring a line-up of wines that haven’t just turned heads, they’ve stopped some of the world’s most respected critics in their tracks. We’re talking 97-point and 98-point scores, soaring praise from names like Greg Sherwood MW, Jancis Robinson MW, Tim Atkin MW and Decanter, and wines described as “melodious”, “muscular yet seamless”, “chapters of poetry”, and even evoking African sunrises over ancient granite hills.
From crystalline, mineral-driven whites with pinpoint purity and age-worthy intensity, to old-vine reds of haunting perfume, silk-textured tannins and granite-forged structure, this is a showcase of Swartland at its most thrilling and uncompromising. Not loud. Not brash. Just quietly commanding wines with depth, precision and serious staying power.
At just £15 a head, this isn’t just a tasting, it’s access to some of the Cape’s most talked-about bottles before they disappear into cellars and collectors’ lists. Seats are limited, and with scores like these, they won’t hang around.
Pouring on the Night
Or to take home…
94 Points – Greg Sherwood MW
“Grapes for The Postman Grenache Blanc 2024 were sourced from a vineyard planted in the early 2000s on the Riebeekberg, made with 50% fermentation in older 500-litre oak and 50% in stainless steel tanks, before maturation lasting nine months. This deliciously seductive Grenache Blanc boasts a pale crystalline canary yellow brightness accompanied by intricate, complex aromatics of lemon and lime peel, lemon grass, wet stone minerality with a delicate kiss of white flowers, leesy lemon biscuits and white peaches drizzled in honey. Coming from Schist and Granitic soils, the palate packs an impressive intensity with a pithy yellow citrus, tart green apple and white peach fruit concentration. Also delicately flinty and stony, the wet river pebble mineral notes marry well with the wine’s tart, bright, crystalline fruit persistence, making for another very serious white wine from this winery. Drink now to enjoy its overt vivacity or over the next 3 to 5 years as it puts on a little more leesy, savoury complexity.” – Greg Sherwood MW.
97 Points – Greg Sherwood MW
“This 2023 turns the volume up once again and delivers a most melodious expression of this noble cultivar. Bright crystalline yellow gold in the glass, the aromatics of this new release are incredibly pure, fresh and focused showing notes of lemon grass, waxy lemon peel, white peach and hints of green apple all underpinned by a wonderfully dusty decomposed Granite Paardeberg minerality. With more in common with fresher vintages, there are no oily, lanolin nuances yet but rather fresher lemon and lime white citrus characters, Japanese green tea and a crystalline brightness with pinpoint purity. Seamless and harmonious in the mouth, the sleek lemon citrus intensity is pure and bright, supported by an incredibly well integrated tangy acidity that adds frame and definition to the long, stony, mineral finish. The oak influence is imperceptible and the focus and carry on the finish is mouthwatering and moreish. A fabulous wine that underlines the concentration and fruit power of the 2023 vintage in the Swartland. Drink from 2026 to 2038+.” – Greg Sherwood MW.
97 Points – Greg Sherwood MW
“The wonderful thing about an accomplished old vine cuvee like Tiernes is its sheer depth, intensity and presence. Imposing in the glass, this 2023 shows all the muscle and flesh neighbour Eben Sadie was so profusive about with his entire range of old vine whites and reds from 2023. The aromatics simply soar like an eagle – plush, complex and packed full of waxy lemon and white citrus, white peach, dried herbs, and intense savoury leesy nuances. The palate is rich but classically restrained, reined in by a fresh tangy acidity that frames an incredibly broad, fleshy, expansive mouthfeel that is also incredibly focused, harmonious, and seamless, yet wonderfully effusive, showing dried peach, quince, and garrigue spice, before the archetypal wet stone granitic minerality closes out the finish. The clear standout elements of most top 2023 Paardeberg whites are their muscle, fruit power, and understated depth and intensity. Not in a loud and shouty style, nor in a big and brash manner – this wine simply strolls into the room silently and commands your attention. What not to love about an old vine Paardeberg Chenin Blanc from such a distinguished single vineyard? This is undoubtedly a wine to seek out and buy on release. Drink from 2026 to 2040+.” – Greg Sherwood MW.
98 Points – Decanter | 96+ Points – Greg Sherwood MW | 17.5 Points – Jancis Robinson MW | 95 Points – Tim Atkin MW
“This is an incredibly intense and serious expression from Darling with almost Burgundian hints of wild strawberries, pink musk, rose petals, salty black currant and a broody red cherry pastille undertone. Fabulous focus and power, but also seamless and soft, with silky fine tannins, beautifully integrated mouthwatering tangy acids and a long, creamy, candied red apple finish. A majestically classy old vine example of Darling Cinsault to enjoy now in its youth or over the next 8 to 10 years.” – Greg Sherwood MW.
17.5 Points – Jancis Robinson MW
“Mostly old bush vines (some younger vines) on decomposed granite soils. Spontaneous fermentation. So aromatic! Violets and daphne. This is stunning. Tannins the texture of old clay chimney pots. So fragrant and beautiful. Damson and rose hip and pitanga. Sour cherries. Tang and tension. So many layers, hidden folds, building from fruit to flower to the lightest, finest haze of spice. Chapters of poetry.” – Jancis Robinson MW.
17 Points – Jancis Robinson MW | 96 Points – Greg Sherwood MW
“While the colour is slightly dark ruby and opaque, the aromatics are anything but subdued, marshalling a full compliment of complexity on the nose to reveal a remarkably graceful array of bramble berries and black plum spice, briary, potpourri and hints of fynbos that melt into notes of black currant rock candy, red cherry coulis and subtle savoury bresaola and cured meat nuances. The attention to detail on the palate is pulpable, compact and sleek with a real polish and concentrated harmonious chorus of strawberry and cranberry fruits, satin textured tannins supported by vibrantly fresh invigorating acids. A finely crafted red blend that is currently more intellectual than showman like but undoubtedly supremely characterful, elegant and precise. Drink on release and over the next 8 to 10+ years.” –Greg Sherwood MW.
