Southern Hemisphere Wines From South Africa And Chile

The wine producing regions of Stellenbosch in South Africa, and the Maipo Valley of Chile are both located at 33 degrees southern latitude. Both include hilly terrain and warm climates, and both produce renowned reds from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Both countries have been producing wines for over 300 years. Whereas South African focuses predominantly on Chenin Blanc as a white grape, Chile is more focused on Sauvignon Blanc. Both also produce often surprisingly crisp Chardonnay wines.

The following is a selection of various wines—whites and reds—from different producers.

Some photographs below were taken by France based wine and lifestyle photographer Laurine Gassian.

WINES FROM SOUTH AFRICA –

Klein Constantia. Vin de Constance. 2017. 99 points.

Made from the Muscat de Frontignan grape as a late harvest sweet wine, Vin de Constance has a powerful reputation for quality and complexity. Aromas of green apples, pears, apricots, mandarins, aguardiente and Grand Marniere. In the mouth, a powerhouse of scintillating flavors—precise, clean, vibrant—provide a rich, layered, lambent dessert wine. This is a precise and stunning beam of focused energy. Acidity and sweetness are in taut balance, and the juice provides an oily mouth feel. A technical dream coat, more kaleidoscopic in its range of tastes than many wines from Sauternes. Unique and unbeatable.

Klein Constantia. Vin de Constance. 2018. 98 points.

A powerful kaleidoscopic river of multiple sweet flavors; this is a twinkling hit of slippery and juicy acidity superimposed on a tropical fruit cocktail. A tangy juice with flavors that include oranges and warm apricots. This sweet wine includes a structure that evolves surprisingly once the bottle is open.

Klein Constantia. Anwilka. Stellenbosch. 2017. 96 Points.

This 14% alcohol wine includes a 47/46/7 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Dark purple color. Deep, dark fruit aromas as well as those of chocolate, cherries, quince, red currants and gingerbread. A silky mouthful with pleasing acidity. Plums and cherries mid palate and a soft, lingering finish with a hint of spearmint. Well-structured and unobtrusive tannins mask alcohol. Consider pairing with veal or roasted duck.

Klein Constantia. Block 382. Sauvignon Blanc. 2019. 95 points.

Aromas include an attractive lick of spiciness—black and white pepper—as well as gooseberries and grapefruit, lime and white flowers. Gorgeously rich and acidic mouth feel. Pears on the initial attack, lime mid palate. The alcohol flavor is unobtrusive and the acidity bright and clean. Pair with shellfish, veal or lemon sherbet.

Klein Constantia. Perdeblokke. Sauvignon Blanc. 2020. 94 points.

Aromas of grapefruit, salt, limes, kiwi fruit and fresh bread. In the mouth, tropicals march out. Tastes include lime on the attack and grapefruit mid palate. Firm and structured acidity elevates the taste of tropical fruits. An easy drinking delight. Pair with seafood—consider sole or prawns.

Klein Constantia. Clara. Sauvignon Blanc. 2020. 94 points.

Aromas of tropical fruit, salt, white pepper and mint. Gracefully rounded in the mouth with bracing acidity and flavors of pineapple and lime. An easy drinking wine which begs a second sip. Lime on the attack, lemon and bread on the finish. Pair with dover sole, prawns or a rich and layered dessert—perhaps butterscotch pie.

Klein Constantia. Metis Sauvignon Blanc. 2018. 94 points.

A collaboration between Klein Constantia and Pascal Jolivet. Aromas of flint, lime, grapefruit, hibiscus, mint and a little butter. Electrically creamy on the cheeks—gorgeous acidity packed with tropical fruits in a mild but firm structure. Consider pairing with smoked salmon.

Van Loggerenberg Wines. Trust Your Gut. Western Cape. Chenin Blanc. 2020. 93 points.

Made by Lukas van-Loggerenberg in the Western Cape. Tangy, buttery aromas of mango, gooseberry, pineapple—all layered in complexity. Flavors of lime and kiwi fruit on the attack, mangos and pineapple mid palate—quite the tropical cocktail. Juicy acidity helps make this an easy drinking and fresh white. Consider pairing with scallops or shrimp.

Van Loggerenberg Wines. Graft. Polkadraai Hills. Syrah. 2020. 91 points.

Purple violet color. Succulent and delicious aromas of black and red cherries, sweet cream, slight cedar and red licorice. Creamy in the mouth, with raspberries on the attack, then mint and treacle and prunes mid palate. Firm tannic structure, quite acidic on the finish. Consider pairing with goulash or wild game, such as Kudu.

Van Loggerenberg Wines. Geronimo. Stellenbosch. Cinsault. 2020. 90 points.

Made from bush vine Cinsault grapes, this has a light cherry color. Powerful and wonderful aromas of black cherries, figs, black pepper, slight peat and marmalade. Succulent taste of cherries on the attack, anise and ginger mid palate and a crackling acidic finish. Fresh and snappy. Pair with a steak cooked with rosemary and tarragon, as well as roasted potatoes. A young, spunky wine.

Duncan Savage Wines. Follow the Line Cinsault. 2018. 90 to 91 points.

Named after the winemaker who, lost while driving, phoned the owner of the vineyard he was searching for. He was told to drive beneath the overhead electrical wires, or ‘follow the line!’ A snappy, delicious set of aromas of cherries as well as bramble, wet earth and a slab of mahogany. Raspberries and cherries on the attack and mid-palate, a little orange peel on the finish. Nicely balanced tannic structure and consistent from attack to finish. Pair with charcuterie and provolone cheese, or even a sherbet dessert. An easy drinking wine with uniquely earthy aromas.

Duncan Savage Wines. Savage Red Syrah. Stellenbosch. 2018. 89 to 90 points.

Light violet colored Syrah. Gorse, menthol, black cherries, cedar and wild strawberry aromas, followed by flavors that include acidic plums and nectarines on the attack and mid-palate. A medium bodied wine to pair with salmon, or even a South African favorite: potjiekos roasted beef stew.

Duncan Savage Wines. Girl Next Door Syrah. 2019. 90 points.

Medium to light violet colored Syrah. Aromas of fresh, succulent black cherries, barley water and a little cinnamon and sage. A brick of cocoa in the mouth, including acidity on the attack and flavors of eucalyptus mid palate with black pepper on the finish. Pair with a carrot and potato soup, or a leek soup with fresh coriander.

Kaapzicht Estate Wine. The 1947 Chenin Blanc. Stellenbosch. 2020. 94 points.

Green grass and grapefruit aromas with a hint of sliced lemon and mint. An oily mouth feel with crisp acidity—slight nuttiness and caramel mid palate with a juicy finish that invites food. Pair with sashimi, or mussels and a baguette.

Kaapzicht Estate Wine. Steytler Pentagon. Stellenbosch. 2017. 95 points.

Deep red and purple color. Statured, well-structured and tannic aromas similar to a Nebbiolo or to those from an older Tannat—including gorse, bramble, cedar, blackberries and even chestnuts. A layered, gorgeous wine—beautifully structured in the mouth with firm tannins, complexity and tight acidity. The Stellenbosch version of a Barolo—hefty, yet elegant with flavors or plumbs, dorp Dutch licorice, candy cane and juicy red fruit. Bravo! Pair with potjiekos pot cooked beef, or wine braised beef, or a truffle and sultana risotto.

Kaapzicht Estate Wine. Steytler Pinotage. Stellenbosch. 2018. 96 points.

Deep dark color. Aromas are slightly oxidized, though not excessively so, and include veld, cranberries, orange peel, red plums, figs and rosemary. In the mouth a beautiful dark beauty with gorgeously firm tannins, succulent red fruit and black licorice mid palate, as well as flavors of hazelnuts and red currants. A finish of crème brûlée and roasted chestnuts. Darkly delicious. Pair with oxtail soup, Szechuan beef or a carrot and black pepper broth.

Mullineux. Roundstone Schist. Syrah. Swartland. 2018. 97 points.

Only 412 cases made of this Syrah. Arresting aromas of chocolate, lava cake, fresh sliced black cherries and hints of spice: black pepper, tarragon, cumin. Even meringue and mandarins. Aromas as compelling as any top Saint-Émilion Grand Cru—even though this is a Syrah. In the mouth—toffee, treacle and cherries mid palate with sublime consistency. A tightrope walker between breezy freshness and statured maturity. Silky tannins, lambent red fruit flavors—cherries, raspberries, light plums, passionfruit. Ghostly lightness. Impossible not to sip a second glass. Pair with duck breast and foie gras, wild game or even veal. Delicious and versatile.

Leeu Passant. Chardonnay. Stellenbosch. 2019. 95 points.

From Helderberg Peak south of Stellenbosch. A jumping, zesty multilayered set of aromas of lemon, toast, guava, pineapple and white pear. Nuttiness on the attack, followed by a creamy and buttery mid-palate with a deliciously crisp acidic finish. Pair with toast coated in goat cheese and guava slices, or shellfish—perhaps oysters or mussels.

Leeu Passant. Dry Red Wine. Franschhoek. 2018. 91 points.

From Franschhoek, this red blend includes plump and rounded aromas of red fruit, orange peel, treacle, cumin, prunes and sage. Deliciously light and well balanced in the mouth with beautiful red fruit on the attack, a little mead and cedar mid palate and a hint of spice on the finish. Easygoing, consistent acidity throughout. Subdued tannins. A little wild but also innocent. Pair with slow roasted lamb with marjoram, or else a Moroccan tagine.

WINES FROM CHILE –

Concha Y Toro. Marques de Casa Concha. Pinot Noir. 2019. 93+ points.

This Chilean Pinot Noir includes a quiet nose with aromas of black cherries, blueberries and acorns. Dizzyingly smooth in the mouth with flavors that include cranberries, blueberries, chocolate cookies. Has a Syrah like dark richness. A layered and low tannic, high acidity beauty with a punch on the palate. Pair with veal or even oysters.

Concha Y Toro. Marques de Casa Concha. Chardonnay. 2019. 93 points.

Bursting with succulent sweet aromas of lime, lemon and crisp green apples. In the mouth this is silky sweet with tropicals, bright acidity, and an energetic finish and flavors include bread crumbs and mandarins. A memorable and festive wine. Consider pairing with a hearty fish such as barracuda.

Concha Y Toro. Marques Casa Concha. Cabernet Sauvignon. 2019. 89 points.

From the Maipo Valley of Chile comes this 14.5% Cab with deep and rich aromas of raspberries and cedar and a little menthol. In the mouth, dark molasses, red and black fruit with a solid tannic backbone and bright acidity on the finish. Pair with veal, lamb or a mushroom risotto.