1. Post House treskilling Yellow 2008 This knockout Noble Late Harvest sweet wine from the Helderberg in Somerset-West is named after the most expensive stamp in the world – only one known copy exists! The seductive nose offers orange marmalade, honey, toffee and a whiff of rich oak. Made from botrytis-affected Chenin blanc grapes, it is unctuous, sexy and super-sweet, with a wonderfully lush, chewy, seamless texture tempered by racy apricot and peach flavour, complemented by spicy vanilla-tinged oak. Extremely powerful and opulent, but with perfectly balanced acidity, retaining remarkable purity and focus. The finish is zesty, bright and sumptuously rich. Enjoy chilled on its own after a meal, or with rich, decadent vanilla creme brûlée. 021 842 2409, www.posthousewines.co.za

2. Constantia glen sauvignon BlanC 2009 This impressive Sauvignon is from the ever-expanding Constantia Nek wine area. Pale straw in colour, it offers a fascinating, highly perfumed nose combining lime and lemon rind, essence of green pepper, gooseberry, dill and flinty crushed stone. Aromatic, dense and dry with a compelling intensity of the clean flavours of green melon, lemongrass, lime and pepper playing on the tongue. This is a wonderfully precise wine with a seductive sweetness around the mineral core, emphasised by a strongly framed acidity. The finish is very zesty, smooth and long, with pronounced savoury and dusty mineral notes. The clones used to produce this wine allow for ripeness at lower alcohol levels, so drink up! This cool-climate classic is delicious on its own, or paired with match-made-in-heaven goat’s milk crostini, served with a light tomato and basil dressing. 021 795 6100, www.constantiaglen.com

3. Dornier Pinotage 2009 From the dramatic-looking loft-style winery on Dornier Estate in Stellenbosch Hills comes this exciting example of the truly South African wine variety. On the nose it explodes with bright plum, blackberry, fynbos, sweet paprika and fine, spicy tobacco aromas. The fruit is rich, concentrated and well-defined in this elegant and complex offering. Medium-bodied and opulent in the mouth, the seductive fruit is balanced by ripe, supple tannins and hints of mocha from the 12-month aging in a French oak barrel. The lip-smacking savoury finish is complimented by undertones of plum compote and the aftertaste lingers on and on and on. Pinotage at its best! With the savoury, fruity flavours, this wine is made to accompany spicy bobotie as well as springbok biltong during the Rugby World Cup – classic South African combinations. Drink now and keep some for enjoyment in two to three years’ time. 021 880 0557, www.dornier.co.za

4. lYnx: tHe lYnx 2008 This super-premium red stunner is the new release from the Lynx Estate in Franschhoek. Made from the top three barrels in 2008, this classic Bordeaux variety

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Wine master, Dr winifreD Bowman, selects six of her favourite Wines from the 021 region.

blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot) is deep, inky ruby in colour. An expressive nose offers cassis, blackberry, violet, bitter chocolate, wild hedgerow fruit and sexy new oak perfumes. Deliciously lush and creamy, concentrated with an improbably deep velvet texture and liqueur-like richness, underpinned by a firm tannin structure, it oozes elegance, style and class. This harmonious and balanced wine builds impressively to a long, sweet-savoury conclusion that refuses to die! As only 600 bottles are produced, grab one while you can! Enjoy with a rare beef rib-eye roast on the bone and horseradish sauce. 021 867 0406, www.lynxwines.co.za

5. nitiDa Coronata integration 2009 This super-delicious white blend is another gem from the Durbanville ward. It took three years of searching and experimenting for the perfect combination of fruit and oak, resulting in this exceptional wine. Named after a beautiful green and yellow protea, P. coronata, the colours of the flower symbolise the blending of the cultivars, while the name describes the status of the wine. This Sauvignon blanc and oaked Semillon blend has plenty to say, showcasing bright and juicy, ripe fruit-forward notes of crisp, fresh Granny Smith apples, green pepper, jasmine, honeysuckle, creamy lemon curd and hints of vanilla. Intense and expressive in the mouth, the fruit flavours are wrapped in a waxy coat flecked with marzipan, in perfect harmony with the lively fruit acid and the mineral edge. Aging will reward the patient … if you can force yourself to wait! Enjoy chilled with thyme and rosemary grilled free-range chicken. 021 976 1467, www.nitida.co.za

6. CaPe Point vineYarDs sPlattereD toaD sHiraz-CaBernet sauvignon 2008

The Splattered Toad range of wines is dedicated to the Western Leopard Toad, a local amphibian which is facing extinction – from traffic! R1 from every bottle of Splattered Toad sold is donated to the CPV Sustainability Fund to protect the species. This fun blend from Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon is a cheerful ruby with an abundance of red berries, spicy pepper, ripe plums, fynbos and a whiff of oak-induced vanilla flavours. This is juicy, soft and generous, delivering an inviting warm mouthful of spicy fruit that lingers against supple tannin, concluding in a lip-smacking dry, savoury finish. Best enjoyed slightly chilled at 18°C with a good braai at sunset, or while you follow Leopold, the local toad, on YouTube on his journey to survival! 021 789 0900, www.capepointvineyards.co.za

Dr Winifred Bowman is an occupational health consultant and wine master who serves on several wine selection panels panel, as well as presenting private and corporate wine tastings.

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