Upper Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa

“Lithe, pliant, yet powerful!” What a perfect three words to describe this wine from the maker himself Alexander. Crunchy and fresh with a tight tannic structure and bright fruit strawberry, cherry and dried sour-sweet cranberry notes. A bitter sweet blood orange and rosemary edge, with liquorice bootlaces and a hint of cacao nib. Fine beaded acidity and elegant tannins. Totally drop dead gorgeous.

Hemel-en-Aarde, or heaven on earth as it translates to in English. The ultimate cool climate region of South Africa famed for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Winemaker Alexander splits the 20% whole bunch at the bottom and the top of the tank for greater complexity - a wonderful balance between some tutti frutti notes, and that almost Campari character - blood orange peel and bitter spices.. Aged for 10 months in large old oak barrels. Drink now -2030

Stand Alone is the back to basics, solo project from Xander Grier, son of David Grier, much acclaimed chef and extreme adventurer. As though that wasn’t enough to contend with, his family also purchased the Villiera wine estate when he was a young child, and Xander’s day job seems him working as winemaker at the property, producing around 800,000 bottles of Method Cap Classique every year.

Captivated by the magic of lone, ancient dead trees standing in majestic isolation, yet home to so much life, his solo project takes the name Stand Alone for these trees. Like them, each wine has its own story to tell of the vineyard itself and the vintage. The beautiful artwork on the labels show one single ancient tree on their farm in Stanford that has now sadly fallen down.