F & B released her maiden Vonn label. The wine is expressive, with a salinity and freshness that showcase Robertson’ s limestone soils.
4. Most memorable glass A Sémillon among a table of exceptional bottles including Sadie Family Soldaat, Radford Dale Sémillon and Cabernet Franc, Burgundies and Rhône Syrahs. The moment was special because I got to share a glass with Jimmy from Wine with Jimmy, whose educational content helped shape my wine journey.
Puleng Mathabathe
Founder of Math Restaurant
1. Comfort pour 2019 Morgenster Lourens River Valley. A smile in a bottle.
2. Biggest surprise of 2025 The Aslina Chardonnay by Ntsiki Biyela, SA’ s first black female winemaker. She’ s talented and this bottle boasts that.
Tadiswa Chikwanha
Sommelier at SALON
1. Comfort pour Pinotage. This year we celebrate 100 years of the varietal. I’ ve enjoyed exploring different styles. The Southern Right Pinotage 2022 is light and fresh, while the Rijks Private Cellar Pinotage 2021 is richer and more structured.
2. Biggest surprise of 2025 HereAfter Here Chenin Blanc 2024 by Chris Alheit. It showed impressive texture, freshness and length for a wine made from younger vineyards, and reflected the vintage beautifully.
3. Winemaker to watch Yvonne Lester. After nearly 10 vintages focusing on Chardonnay at Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons, she
5. Best summer red Momento Wines Paardeberg Grenache Noir 2023. Perfumed with red and pink fruit, it has a refreshing acidity. It’ s best served slightly chilled.
6. Best winter light wine Sparkling wine, Champagne or Cap Classique. Saltare Cap Classique NV by Carla Pouws is a standout.
7. Wine to cellar for five years Richard Kershaw CY95 Chardonnay 2021. I recently tasted the 2016 and the life it had after nine years was remarkable.
8. Song pairing“ What Kinda Music” by Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes. Best enjoyed with your favourite wines.
3. Winemaker or region to watch Le Chant in the Polkadraai Hills. Quietly brilliant and full of potential.
4. Most memorable glass Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Plateaux by Domaine Aegerter. A gift from a new friend that made me fall in love with Burgundy again.
5. Best summer red I’ m obsessed with Château d’ Esclans Rock Angel Rosé.
6. Best winter light wine Babylonstoren Chardonnay or Rall White. Both deliver layered flavour with the excitement of a red.
7. Wine to cellar for five years Vilafonté Series C. No question.
“ I feel sorry for people who don’ t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’ s as good as they’ re going to feel all day.” – Frank Sinatra
8. Favourite non-wine drink A well-made Negroni. Simple, balanced and timeless.
9. Song pairing Dominic Miller’ s“ All Change” paired with Stellenbosch 1679 Bush Vine Chenin Blanc, my current favourite. TT
54 TRADE & TASTE / 2026