Taste Case: Allan Mullins chooses six wines you’ll never want to run out of again
You may be a pro at brewing pineapple beer by now, but there's nothing like a well-curated case of wine to restock your cellar. Cape Wine Master Allan Mullins picks six you should never run out of again
1 Neil Ellis Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
In 1990, Neil Ellis and I experimented with blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot until this award-winner was born. In 2018, Neil’s son Warren and I blended it with judicious splashes of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
It’s a medium-bodied wine with red and black berry fruits, a hint of wood spice, and a velvety smooth palate. R119.99
2 Jordan Cobblers Hill
The Jordan family were famous shoemakers, which is why Gary and Kathy Jordan, who produce some of the finest wines in the Cape, named their showpiece red blend Cobblers Hill. The Cabernet Sauvignon gives blackberry flavours, Merlot dark plum, and Cabernet Franc palate spiciness. R449.99
3 Champagne Comtesse Alexia Brut Non Vintage
This is made exclusively for Woolies by the Alexandre Bonnet Champagne house from a blend of the classic Champagne grapes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Expect yeast, ripe fruit and a touch of brioche on the nose, floral aromas on the palate, and an explosive mousse. R399.99
4 De Wetshof Limestone Hill Chardonnay
This is a standout wine by Robertson Chardonnay specialists, De Wetshof. You’ll enjoy flavours of peach, lemon, grapefruit and nuts, and a mouthfilling palate with a super-fresh, fruity finish. R99.99
5 Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Haute Cabrière pride themselves on the food friendliness of their wines and this is a perfect example. The Pinot
Noir element lifts seafood and poultry dishes, while the Chardonnay gives creaminess and a softer texture to game or lighter meat dishes such as veal and pork. R84.99
6 Spier Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon
Like an annual treasure hunt, Spier Cellarmaster Frans Smit scours the Cape winelands for outstanding pockets of grapes to put into wines like this. A shimmering ruby colour introduces a nose of cassis, spice, mint, black pepper and cherry. The supple palate has layers of ripe fruit and lightly toasted oak. R179.99