The 2024 edition of Caroline’s White Wine & Cap Classique Review unfolded in the elegant setting of the Members’ Lounge at the DHL Stadium, offering a stunning backdrop for the evening.
Curated by Cape Town’s renowned wine connoisseur, Caroline Rillema, this highly anticipated annual showcase brought together an exceptional selection of the Cape’s most distinguished flagship white wines and Cap Classiques. We had the rare opportunity to explore the finest expressions of winemaking, sampling top-tier vintages from celebrated producers, all within one venue.
What we tasted:
Anthonij Rupert L’Ormarins Private Cuvee 2016
It offers elegant aromas of crisp green apples, lemon zest and a touch of toasted brioche. On the palate, it’s vibrant and fresh, with lively acidity balanced by subtle creamy notes and a fine, persistent mousse. The finish is long and refreshing, with a delicate minerality.
Bon Courage Jacques Bruere Vintage Brut Reserve 2015
Fine bubbles with aromas of green apple, citrus blossom and hints of freshly baked bread. On the palate, crisp acidity is complemented by creamy brioche, ripe pear and a touch of toasted almond. Its elegant texture leads to a long, refined finish.
Villiera Monro Brut 2017
Lively bubbles and enticing aromas of ripe apple, citrus and subtle brioche. On the palate, it reveals flavours of green apple, lemon zest and toasted nuts, balanced by crisp acidity and a creamy mouthfeel. The finish is long and elegant.
Saltare Brut Reserve NV
It delivers delicate bubbles with aromas of green apple, citrus and a hint of fresh bread. On the palate, it’s bright and refreshing, with flavours of zesty lemon, baked apple and a subtle yeasty complexity. Crisp acidity and a smooth, creamy texture lead to a clean, elegant finish.
Newton Johnson Albarino 2023
This wine offers vibrant citrus and green apple aromas, with hints of peach and a touch of saline minerality. Crisp and refreshing, it has a clean, lingering finish.
Saronsberg Viognier 2022
Lush aromas of ripe peach, apricot and delicate white flowers, with a hint of spice. The palate is rich and smooth, offering stone fruit flavours balanced by a gentle acidity, leading to a soft, lingering finish.
Saurwein Chi Riesling 2024
Vibrant citrus and green apple aromas, complemented by subtle floral and mineral notes. On the palate, zesty lime and crisp apple flavours are balanced by a refreshing acidity, leading to a clean, elegant finish.
Lomond Ben Nevis Sauvignon Blanc 2022
It bursts with aromas of tropical fruit, including passion fruit and guava, layered with hints of fresh citrus and a touch of green pepper. The palate is crisp and lively, offering vibrant fruit flavours balanced by refreshing acidity and a long, zesty finish.
Steenberg The Black Swan Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Intense aromas of tropical passion fruit, ripe gooseberry and zesty lime, with a hint of fresh herbs. The palate is layered and vibrant, showcasing crisp citrus, green apple and minerality, balanced by bright acidity and a lingering, elegant finish.
Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2021
It reveals a complex bouquet of ripe pear, lemon zest and white peach, complemented by subtle floral notes and a hint of beeswax. The palate is rich and textured, with layers of stone fruit, citrus, and a touch of oak, balanced by a refreshing acidity and a long, refined finish.
Old Road Wine Company Grande Mere 2021
Aromas of dark cherry, plum and blackcurrant, intertwined with earthy undertones and hints of spice. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and smooth, with ripe berry flavors, subtle oak and velvety tannins, leading to a long, elegant finish.
Thor Lara Semillon 2023
This wine presents delicate aromas of citrus blossom, lime and white peach, with a touch of honeyed wax. The palate is vibrant yet textured, featuring fresh citrus and stone fruit flavoUrs balanced by bright acidity, leading to a crisp, lingering finish.
Celestina Agulhas White 2023
Bright and aromatic, showcasing citrus and tropical fruit aromas, like lemon zest and pineapple, with a hint of fresh herbs. The palate is zesty and refreshing, offering vibrant fruit flavours balanced by a crisp acidity and a clean, mineral-driven finish.
Delaire Graff White Reserve 2022
It reveals a bouquet of ripe stone fruits, citrus and a touch of floral elegance. On the palate, it offers a rich, creamy texture with layers of peach, pear and subtle oak spice, balanced by refreshing acidity and a long, sophisticated finish.
Bartinney Hourglass 2022
Presents a lively mix of citrus, green apple and white peach aromas, with a hint of flinty minerality. The palate is crisp and vibrant, offering bright fruit flavours, balanced by a refreshing acidity and a smooth, elegant finish.
Capensis Silene 2022
Vibrant citrus and pear aromas, with subtle floral and mineral undertones. The palate is crisp and fresh, with bright fruit flavours and a refined, elegant finish.
Cap Maritime Chardonnay 2022
A Chardonnay that opens with aromas of ripe peach, citrus and subtle oak. The palate is rich and creamy, offering layers of stone fruit and zesty lemon, balanced by a refreshing acidity and a long, elegant finish.
Creation Art of Chardonnay 2023
This wine showcases vibrant aromas of ripe citrus, green apple and hints of butterscotch. On the palate, it is rich and smooth, with flavours of stone fruit and a touch of oak, balanced by refreshing acidity and a lingering finish.
De Wetshof Bateleur Chardonnay 2022
Inviting aromas of citrus, ripe melon and toasty oak. The palate is complex and creamy, featuring layers of stone fruit and a hint of vanilla, balanced by vibrant acidity and a long, elegant finish.
Draaiboek Onskuld Chardonnay 2022
It reveals fresh aromas of citrus, pear and subtle floral notes. The palate is vibrant and crisp, with flavours of green apple and a hint of minerality, leading to a clean, refreshing finish.
Iona Elgin Highlands Wild Ferment 2023
Features complex aromas of citrus, green apple and stone fruit, enriched by subtle earthy notes from wild fermentation. The palate is vibrant and textured, with bright acidity and a lingering finish that showcases its nuanced character.
Benguela Cove Vinography Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Enticing aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and fresh herbs. The palate is crisp and refreshing, showcasing vibrant flavours of lime and passion fruit, with bright acidity and a zesty, lingering finish.
Jordan Timepiece Chardonnay 2023
Beautiful aromas of ripe citrus, pear and a touch of vanilla. The palate is rich and elegant, featuring layers of stone fruit and subtle oak, balanced by refreshing acidity and a long, refined finish.
Kershaw Clonal Selection 2021
This wine reveals complex aromas of citrus, stone fruit and delicate floral notes, complemented by a hint of minerality. The palate is vibrant and textured, showcasing bright acidity and layered flavours that lead to a long, elegant finish.
Oldenburg Chardonnay 2023
Inviting aromas of ripe apple, citrus zest and subtle oak. The palate is balanced and smooth, featuring rich stone fruit flavours and a refreshing acidity that culminates in a crisp, lingering finish.
Oak Valley Groenlandberg Chardonnay 2022
It showcases vibrant aromas of citrus, green apple, and hints of stone fruit. The palate is crisp and lively, with a bright acidity and layers of flavour, leading to a clean, elegant finish.
Paul Cluver Seven Flags 2022
Enticing aromas of ripe peach, citrus and subtle oak spice. The palate is complex and textured, featuring layered flavours of stone fruit and a refreshing acidity, culminating in a long, elegant finish.
Rupert & Rothschild Baroness Nadine Chardonnay 2023
It reveals bright aromas of citrus, green apple and hints of vanilla. The palate is creamy and full-bodied, showcasing rich stone fruit flavours balanced by vibrant acidity, leading to a refined and lingering finish.
AA Badenhorst Grensloos Chenin Blanc 2023
Vibrant aromas of citrus, pear and floral notes, with a touch of honey. The palate is lively and textured, showcasing bright acidity and layered fruit flavours, culminating in a fresh, elegant finish.
Uva Mira The Mira Chardonnay 2022
Aromas of citrus, white peach and subtle oak. The palate is elegant and balanced, with flavours of ripe stone fruit and a hint of minerality, complemented by bright acidity and a long, refined finish.
Vondeling Chardonnay Barrel Selection 2023
It opens with rich aromas of ripe peach, citrus and toasted oak. The palate is creamy and well-structured, offering flavours of stone fruit and vanilla, balanced by refreshing acidity and a smooth, lingering finish.
Eenzaamheid Chenin Blanc 2021
Aromas of ripe pear, quince and subtle floral notes. The palate is rich and textured, with flavours of stone fruit and honeyed undertones, balanced by fresh acidity and a long, elegant finish.
Hogan Chardonnay 2023
Showcases bright aromas of citrus, green apple and a hint of toasted oak. The palate is crisp and balanced, with lively acidity complementing flavours of lemon zest and ripe pear, leading to a refined, lingering finish.
Lievland Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2023
This wine presents aromas of ripe apple, pear and honeycomb, with hints of floral and mineral notes. The palate is textured and well-rounded, offering flavours of stone fruit and citrus, balanced by refreshing acidity and a smooth, lingering finish.
Leeuwenkuil Heritage Chenin Blanc 2020
Reveals complex aromas of quince, baked apple and hints of spice. On the palate, it’s rich and layered, with flavours of ripe fruit, honey and subtle oak, all balanced by a vibrant acidity and a long, elegant finish.
Ken Forrester The FMC 2023
Offers a luxurious bouquet of dried apricot, honey and delicate spice. The palate is opulent and creamy, with concentrated flavours of tropical fruit, caramel and vanilla, balanced by a fresh, uplifting acidity and a lingering, rich finish.
Metzer Montane Chenin Blanc 2018
Aromas of citrus, white peach and wet stone, with subtle hints of herbs. The palate is elegant and mineral-driven, showcasing crisp fruit flavours, bright acidity, and a refined, long finish with a touch of salinity.
Spier Farmer Angus Organic Chenin
Fresh aromas of green apple, pear and citrus. The palate is vibrant and clean, with lively fruit flavours and a hint of minerality, balanced by crisp acidity and a refreshing, smooth finish.
It was a celebration of South Africa’s premium wine culture, blending sophistication and the chance to experience the pinnacle of the region’s terroir-driven offerings.
Categories: Caroline’s Fine Wine Cellar
