Buitenverwachting Christine 2018

Constantia's cool coastal climate and granitic soils suit Bordeaux varieties down to the ground and this is a pretty good example of how well it can turn out. A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, it's big and rich, with plenty of ripe cherry and cassis flavours at the core. Well supported by darker notes of chocolate, tobacco and cedar, the wine is full bodied, aged for two years in new French oak, and has grippy but nicely integrated tannins to round things out. Named after Christine Mueller, who with her husband purchased the estate in 1980, it's a wine that takes pride of place among their premium reds.

Deep and velvety, it's a great match for roast or grilled red meats and rich game dishes, but works just as well with hard cheeses.

Buitenverwachting is one of South Africa's more historic wine estates. It sits on part of the Constantia Estate - where the country's first vineyards were planted in 1685 by Simon van der Stel, the first governor of the Dutch colony at the Cape. Over the centuries the region's fortunes have waxed and waned, but viticulture has always hung on. Since being acquired by the Mueller family in 1980 the whole estate underwent comprehensive renovation and they've built things so as to be a name to be reckoned with. Lars Maack, son of Christine Mueller, heads up operations alongside Brad Paton, chief winemaker, who has been at the estate since 2002.