Panel tasting results: Superb vintage Cap Classique

South African vintage Cap Classique — (Image credit: Future)

Jump to category:

Tasting notes

Jason Millar, David Kermode and Anne Krebiehl MW tasted 51 wines, with 2 Outstanding and 24 Highly recommended

Vintage Cap Classique: Panel tasting scores

What to eat with Cap Classique, by Fiona Beckett

Grilled king prawns served with lemon on a plate in a restaurant setting. Seafood, fine dining, Mediterranean cuisine, gourmet meal, local food, travel, culinary tourism, Greek restaurant.

Given the similarity of vintage Cap Classique to vintage Champagne, it will come as no surprise that it goes with similar food. South Africa has great seafood, so I’d be inclined to make that a starting point.

Grilled lobster, seared scallops, giant tiger prawns – the best seafood you can lay your hands on, cooked on a braai. (The added richness and complexity of these mature wines will be able to handle the charring and even the spiciness of many South African marinades.)

Kudu in London has some sublime flatbreads with melted shrimp butter that would be perfect, or think of a hot crab dip.

A simple roast chicken would be a great showcase, but you could happily drink these wines with a steak or simply grilled venison or springbok, or with raw meat dishes such as carpaccios and tartares.

Cheese would also be a fine pairing; a Vacherin Mont d’Or in season would be a luxurious match, or a gooey British Tunworth.

At these prices, you can afford to take these wines right through a meal.

Jason Millar

Jason Millar is a freelance writer and consultant specialising in the wines of Italy and South Africa. He has worked in various roles in the UK wine trade since 2011, most recently as company director at London merchant Theatre of Wine from 2018 to 2023. In 2016 he won three scholarships on his way to attaining the WSET Level 4 Diploma, including The Vintners' Scholarship for the top mark of all graduates worldwide.

David Kermode

David Kermode is a widely published drinks writer, wine judge, broadcaster and consultant. Host of Food FM's Drinking Hour podcast, he has appeared on ITV's This Morning, Sky News and BBC radio, writes for trade and consumer publications, and is known as Mr Vinosaurus on social media.

Anne Krebiehl MW

Anne Krebiehl MW is a freelance wine writer and lecturer. Her work has been published widely in both trade and consumer publications, including World of Fine Wine, Harpers Wine & Spirit and The Drinks Business.

Since 2013, she has reviewed wines from Alsace, Austria and England for the US Wine Enthusiast Magazine. She was a judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2014 and 2015.

In the UK, she gives lectures – particularly on German wine – consults for London restaurants and translates wine-related texts.

She completed her WSET Diploma in 2010 and was admitted to the Institute of Masters of Wine in September 2014; her dissertation explored the subject of ‘The Future of Premium German Pinot Noir’.

In addition, she is an accredited member of both the Circle of Wine Writers and the Association of Wine Educators.

Topics

Explore More

Jason Millar is a freelance writer and consultant specialising in the wines of Italy and South Africa. He has worked in various roles in the UK wine trade since 2011, most recently as company director at London merchant Theatre of Wine from 2018 to 2023. In 2016 he won three scholarships on his way to attaining the WSET Level 4 Diploma, including The Vintners' Scholarship for the top mark of all graduates worldwide.

Vintage Cap Classique: Panel tasting scores

51 wines tasted

Vintage pays dividends

'Absolutely unbeatable when it comes to value'

See all notes and scores from the Cap Classique tasting

The judges

Vintage Cap Classique panel tasting results:

Related articles

Boschendal, Jean Le Long Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Elgin, South Africa 2012

Quoin Rock, Reserve Brut, Western Cape, South Africa 2015

Bon Courage, Jacques Bruére Blanc de Blancs Brut, Robertson, South Africa 2013

Graham Beck, Cuvée Clive Prestige Cuvée Brut, Western Cape, South Africa 2019

Graham Beck, Ultra Brut, Western Cape, South Africa 2017

De Wetshof, Blanc de Blancs Brut, Robertson, South Africa 2022

Graham Beck, Vintage Collection Blanc de Blancs Brut, Robertson, South Africa 2020

La Bri, Sauvage Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Franschhoek, South Africa 2018

Pieter Ferreira, Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Western Cape, South Africa 2019

Steenberg, Lady R Brut, Western Cape, South Africa 2019

Domaine des Dieux, Rose of Sharon Rosé Brut, Cape South Coast, South Africa 2016

Pieter Ferreira, Rosé Extra Brut, Western Cape, South Africa 2017

Babylonstoren, Sprankel Brut, Simonsberg-Paarl, Paarl, South Africa 2020

Bon Courage, Jacques Bruére Reserve Brut, Robertson, South Africa 2016

Domaine des Dieux, Claudia Brut, Cape South Coast, South Africa 2017

Klein Constantia, Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Western Cape, South Africa 2021

Laborie, Le Traditionnel Blanc de Blancs Brut, Western Cape, South Africa 2019

Mudita, Brut Nature, Cape Town, South Africa 2017

Bon Courage, Jacques Bruére Rosé Brut, Robertson, South Africa 2016

Boschendal, Grande Cuvée Vintage Brut, Elgin, South Africa 2020

Domaine des Dieux, Anna Louise Blanc de Blancs Brut, Walker Bay, South Africa 2011

Paul René, Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs Brut, Robertson, South Africa 2021

Paul René, Nectar Demi-Sec, Robertson, South Africa 2020

Pieter Ferreira, Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Western Cape, South Africa 2020

Simonsig, Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blancs Brut, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2020

Quoin Rock, Black Series Rosé Brut, Western Cape, South Africa 2019