Know your vintages: Polkadraai Hills

2021 The closest recent Stellenbosch vintage to the mythical 2009 in terms of weather conditions. Good winter rains, moderate growing-season temperatures, long hang time. An outstanding year for both whites and reds. A Cape classic, highly collectible. Keep.

2019 A game of two halves. Very good for whites and early-ripening red varieties, particularly Cabernet Franc; less good for late-picked ones, most notably Cabernet Sauvignon, because of heavy rains in late March. A vintage to drink selectively. Keep the reds.

2017 A brilliant Cape vintage, despite being produced in the middle of a five-year drought. The lack of water notwithstanding, temperatures remained below 30°C in the main. Balanced red wines with polished tannins. Whites are also ageing very well. A vintage to cellar.

2015 Regarded as one of the best vintages of the last decade, although the reds were generally better than the whites. Warmer than 2009, but benefited from the very wet 2014 winter. Reds with very good structure, purity and potential longevity. Drink now or keep.

2009 One of the great vintages in Stellenbosch. A wet winter led to good water reserves. The growing season was moderate, with no heat spikes. Diurnal variation was significant. Good colour in the reds, which have aged well, and acidity in both reds and whites. Drink now.