I had originally wanted to present Cuvée Cape Town as the January exhibition for the Pendock Wine Gallery @ Taj. The idea was to feature six wines from the Constantia Valley. After all, it is the local vineyard for the city. I wanted to tie this into the start of the city’s reign as World Design Capital for 2014 but the sale of Constantia Uitsig and short-sighted commercial competitions from some foreign interests who own some of the jewsl in SA’s wine crown eventually derailed the idea.

So here is Plan B. An exhibition of six of the most interesting wines I tasted this year. Three reds and three whites, with 2011 dominating just as it did in the Observer yesterday.

De Krans Tritonia 2011

Edgebaston Pepper Pot 2012

Lanzerac Merlot 2011

Ondine Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Perdeberg Dry Land Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2011

Riebeek Cellars Kasteelberg Chenin Blanc 2010

The picture (above) graces the walls of the Riebeek-Kasteel guest house we stayed in while tasting the last wine. For a totally brilliant analysis of the legacy of Madiba, read Rian Malan in the Telegraph. Rian may indeed have a traitor’s heart, but he also has a firstrate brain.