Malus is an apple-flavored spirit from Elgin Distillery that has a fragrant apple nose and rich, nutty palate. Each decanter costs R6,840. JJ Merlot 2007 from Stellenrust estate has flavors of blackcurrant, plum and liquorice. It would pair well with roasted venison. This wine retails from R75-R85. Bakermat 2007 from Joostenberg wines is a premium red blend with dark berry and savory aromas. On the palate it has well-integrated tannins and a plush mouthfeel. It can be bought for R115 at select stores.

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CONNOISSEURS’
DREAM SPIRIT
Malus, the terroir spirit of Elgin,
can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks
or with a splash of water; each
offers its own experience for
the “savanteur”. It has a fragrant
apple nose, rich and rewarding
on the palate with a hint of nut.
Each hand blown decanter of
Malus costs R6 840 and larger
orders are discussed on a case
by case basis. For orders or more
information, contactTim George
or Paul Cluver atThe Elgin
Distillery Company on (021) 844
0061 or visit www.malus.co.za
HANDMADETO
BE ENJOYED
JJ Merlot 2007 is a handmade
wine from a range of wines
under the Stellenrust estate
label. It offers blackcurrant and
ripe plum with some liquorice
tones.The oak opens up to a
creamy palate and enhances
velvety tannins with a sweet
and sour tang.The Merlot 2007
offers sweet plum flavours which
will be excellent when served
with roasted venison, spiced with
splashes of fresh rosemary leaves
and chopped garlic.This wine
retails for between R75 and R85
from leading liquor outlets.
PREMIUM RED
From Joostenberg wines comes
a vintage premium red wine,
the Bakermat 2007.This rich full
bodied, dark berry with savoury
aromas is a blend of Cabernet
Sauvignon (44 percent), Merlot
(40 percent), Shiraz (15 percent)
andViognier (one percent).
The palate is characterised by
well-integrated tannins and a
plush long mouth feel. Buy it for
R115 at selected liquor outlets
or directly from the farm. For
more information contact Philip
Myburgh at Joostenberg Farm on
(021) 884 4141.
AWARD-WINNING
SINGLE MALT
Multi-award winner Bunnahabhain
single malt is known for its gentle
profile and unique character
thanks to the unpeated malted
barley enhanced by pure spring
water.The Bunnahabhain 25
year old has a sweet aroma of
caramel and berry flavours and
cream balanced by roasted nuts
and malt. Enjoy neat or with a
dash of water to really savour
its wonderful combination of
flavours.A 750ml bottle retails for
R1 800 at leading liquor stores.
For more information, visit
www.bunnahabhain.com
SUMPTUOUSTASTE
The Heron Ridge Shiraz 2005
is a bold style wine with finely
textured black cherry and dark
chocolate baked by elegant
tannins.These add texture and a
subtle grip and the wine shows
sumptuous ripeness and a lovely
concentration which comes out
on the palate.A bottle retails
for R105 fromVino Pronto and
Vaughan Johnson in CapeTown
or directly from the wine farm.
For orders contact Jane Orpen
on 082 412 6118.
HARTENBERG
SHIRAZTREASURE
The Hartenberg Shiraz 2006
recently released is a mixture
of rich fruit with a tapestry of
spice, lilies and red currants
on the nose.While it can be
enjoyed now, it will be mellow if
left for another 12 years thanks
to its smoky savoury notes.A
bottle of this red treasure retails
for R130 and is available at
leading wine stores and selected
restaurants countrywide. For
more information, visit www.
hartenbergestate.com
DOCTOR SHIRAZ
The Cape Doctor Shiraz 2005
is the new edition to Journey’s
End wines. Dark with an intense
ruby-violet colour, the Shiraz’s
fruits on the nose are fragrant
strawberry, underpinned by
fleshier bramble and mocha.The
palate is packed with strawberry
and mulberry, spiced by black
pepper.The richness of the
flavours is balanced by some
fresh raspberry giving a lighter
feel to the finish.A bottle retails
for between R160 and R170 at
selected liquor outlets.
WHITE GOLD
Collison’s White Gold brandy is
light in colour with fig aromas
balanced by seductive hints
of vanilla and hazelnut on the
nose. On the palate, the taste
is of intense fruity flavours with
complements of oak and vanilla.
This brandy can be enjoyed with
ice, cranberry juice, in a martini
or with a twist of lime.
A 750ml bottle retails for around
R190 and is available at leading
liquor countrywide.
DR
INK
S
Booze buys to
warm you as
the cold sets
in. By Denise
Mhlanga