Cape Wine Company current releases

Erlank Erasmus founded Cape Wine Company in 2010.. Raised in Montagu, he studied viticulture at Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute from 1997 and began his winemaking career at Fairview in 2000, where he spent a decade.

Nieuwe Haarlem Chenin Blanc 2025
Price: R175

W.O. Darling. Matured for six months, 50% in stainless steel tank and 50% in older oak. Quince, citrus, peach, hay and herbs on the nose. Pure fruit, racy acidity  and a slightly salty, slightly bitter finish. Well balanced with a pleasing linearity to it. Alc: 13.81%.

CE’s rating: 92 | Value

Niuwe Haarlem Pinotage 2023
Price: R200

W.O. Paarl. Matured for 12 months in American oak, 25% new. Red cherry, plum, fynbos plus hints on vanilla and spice on the nose while the palate shows juicy fruit, bright acidity and firm but not coarse tannins. Broadly appealing. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 90 | Value

Erasmus Shiraz 2023
Price: R375

Matured for 12 months in barrel, 30% new. Dark berries, vanilla, leather and spice on the nose. The palate is plush but not excessively so – sweet, juicy fruit, fresh acidity and velvety tannins, the finish gently savoury. Stylistically, it vokes an earlier era of the variety. Alc: 14.25%.

CE’s rating: 91 | Classic

Erasmus Family Reserve 2024
Not yet released.

47% Carignan, 24% Shiraz, 18% Petite Sirah and 11% Grenache. Heady aromatics of red and black berries, floral perfume, fynbos, liquorice, earth, pepper and other spice. The palate is bling! Dense fruit, bright acidity and chewy tannins. Not without balance, it finishes dry.

CE’s rating: 93 | Luxurious

Kakebeenwa Grenache 2025
Price: R265

From a 1973 Piekenierskloof vineyards. 30% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 12 months in older oak. Rose, cranberry, strawberry and orange plus hints of earth, dried herbs and spice. The palate is weighty and broad with succulent fruit, soft but sufficient acidity and powdery tannins. Big in volume but not too loose. Immensely likeable. Alc: 14.38%

CE’s rating: 93 | Delicious

Barandas Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
Price: R265

From Jonkershoek Valley, Bottelary and Banhoek. Matured for 18 months, 25% nw. Cherry, plum, milk chocolate, vanilla and spice on the nose. The palate is broad, lacking a little definition and freshness but sweet, smooth textured and unthreatening.

CE’s rating: 89

Check out our South African wine ratings database.