($36): Long before Charles Back created his Goats do Roam label, he was making stellar wines at his Fairview property in Paarl, near Capetown.  This Shiraz, named for a nearby surveyor’s beacon, is a big, ripe but well-balanced wine whose herbal aromas capture your immediate attention. … Read more

($14, Vineyard Brands): Charles Back’s whimsical labeling should not hide the fact that he puts serious wine in his bottles.  This blend of roughly three-quarters Shiraz and one-quarter Pinotage, a grape virtually exclusive to South Africa, works very nicely.  Bright spiciness offsets succulent black fruit in his supple wine. … Read more

($15, Vineyard Brands): The name, The Left Bank, presumably alludes to Bordeaux, but the blend there never includes Shiraz, which comprises a third of this wine–the remainder being Cabernet Sauvignon (57%) and Merlot.  (Chateau Palmer started producing a wine in 2004–called Historical XIX Century–that includes Shiraz in the blend, but can not be labeled Bordeaux, only Vin de Table). … Read more

($10, Confluence Wine Importers): This is the showiest of Juno’s ‘Cape Maidens’ line of wines, which feature label art by well known South African artist Tertia du Toit.  In the case of this wine, her rendering of a voluptuous maiden is matched by a pretty voluptuous wine, as this shows fleshy, ripe berry fruit. … Read more

($13, Vineyard Brands): The Porcupine Ridge label from Boekenhoutskloof, one of South Africa’s leading producers, is a consistent source of good wine at an excellent price.  This Syrah has a dollop of gamey flavors and a touch of bacon fat as counterweight to its overall ripeness. … Read more

($10): Boekenhoutskloof, one of South Africa’s star producers, acts as a négociant–they buy young wine from others and then blend and age it–for this bargain-priced delight.  Aromatic from Viognier, it conveys fresh fruit, a hint of bacon fat and gamey flavors–Syrah and Mourvédre speaking–that give it remarkable complexity for the price.… Read more

($11, Vineyard Brands): The Porcupine Ridge label from Boekenhoutskloof, a consistently good South African producer, is a reliable source of inexpensive wines.  This tightly-wound Sauvignon Blanc has a distinctly grassy nose and more flavor in the mid-palate than most comparably priced wines made from this grape. … Read more

($10, Vineyard Brands): Boekenhoutskloof opts–for obvious reasons–for easier to pronounce names, such as Porcupine Ridge, for its more popularly-priced wines.  This Cabernet has ripeness and weight that borders on over-ripeness, but freshness imparted by lively acid in the finish holds the wine together. … Read more

($20, Vineyard Brands): Neil Ellis is one of South Africa’s star producers.  He makes at least two different Chardonnays, this one from the Stellenbosch region and one from Elgin.  This one is the richer and more overt of the two and will appeal to those who like a little more muscle in their Chardonnay. … Read more

($14, Vineyard Brands): A multi-region blend, Ellis’s Sincerely is a lively expression of Sauvignon Blanc.  While not quite as electrifying as the ones from Marlborough, New Zealand, it conveys plenty of energy and pure citric character enhanced with nuances of fresh herbs.… Read more

($27, Vineyard Brands): Elgin is one of the cooler areas in South Africa and consequently this Chardonnay is less ripe, more tightly wound and restrained compared to Ellis’s Stellenbosch bottling.  There are more lemon rather than melon notes here.  His two Chardonnays tasted side-by-side are an instructive comparison and show that the French don’t have a monopoly on terroir.… Read more

($13): Southern Right makes marvelously consistent Sauvignon Blanc.  Their 2007 is no exception. It combines layers of chalky minerality found in Sancerre with bracing New Zealand type acidity characteristic of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.  Which makes sense, since South Africa is located roughly halfway between those two regions. … Read more

($16, Hess Imports): Plump black cherry flavors buttressed by uplifting acidity and fine tannins make this wine an excellent buy.  Not an ‘aperitif’ wine, it goes best with hearty beef dishes. 87 Michael Apstein Feb 5, 2008… Read more

($45, Hess Imports): Juicy black cherry flavors, bright vibrant acidity and mild tannins make this a good choice for a steak tonight.  With more acidity than many similarly styles wines from California, it will go better with–rather than before–dinner. 90 Michael Apstein May 15, 2007… Read more

($20, Vineyard Brands): This South African Mourvedre conveys lovely earthy, herbal flavors in a supple package.  It’s spicy and full-bodied without being overdone. 87 Michael Apstein Apr 10, 2007… Read more

($13, Vineyard Brands): Earthy flavors mix with notes of spice in this boisterous wine.  The tannins–ripe and unobtrusive–help balance the intensity.  This is strong Shiraz, best enjoyed in cold weather or with hearty meals. 87 Michael Apstein Apr 10, 2007… Read more

($12, Vineyard Brands): Those consumers tired of overly alcoholic, flamboyant Californian or Australian Syrah should look to South Africa. Porcupine Ridge, produced by Boekenhoutskloof Winery, is a lovely mid-weight Syrah filled with beefy, spicy notes harmonizing with plenty of black fruit flavors.… Read more

($12, Vineyard Brands): A lovely blend of Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre and Viognier, The Wolf Trap is a well-balanced wine delivering layers of flavors, earth, smoke, black fruit and a little spice. Once you notice the producer’s name, Boekenhoutskloof, you understand why they emphasize the brand name on the label.… Read more

($13, Vineyard Brands): A leaner style of Shiraz than those typically produced in California or Australia, Ellis’s “Sincerely” still has plenty of ripeness and an appealing spicy complexity to complement its meaty elements. You can’t beat it at the price! 90 Michael Apstein Oct 3, 2006… Read more

($25, Vineyard Brands): Hamilton Russell consistently makes graceful Chardonnays, clearly some of the best from South Africa. The 2004 is beautifully proportioned, with alluring toastiness and minerality I associate with great white Burgundy. But check out the price! 92 Michael Apstein Sep 5, 2006… Read more

($9, Vincor USA): With Kumala, the South Africans aim to compete with the Australian Yellow Tail and Little Penguin labels. And judging by this Chardonnay, the Aussies should watch out. This simple, but very good wine has subtle notes of pears, a whiff of creaminess, and delivers more than I expected for the price.… Read more