So you have a few cents to spare? Why not drop some on one of South Africa’s high end wines.

1. Mont Destin – Destiny Diamond Collection – Destiny Shiraz 2006 R18 000
Yes you pay for the half carat diamond set in wax on the bottle, but without the bling its still going to cost you a cool R558 per bottle. The Destiny Diamond Collection features a 2006 Destiny Shiraz with half a carat diamond set in platinum and packaged in a special presentation case. Only six sets of this exceptional collector’s item are available. You can read more about this beautifully packaged wine here. This is also the place where you can bath in Pinotage.

2. Bilton – The Bilton R3000
Only 500 bottles of  The Bilton are available for purchase and only from the estate. Each bottle is individually numbered and coded using a hi-tech security tag, to prevent wine fraud. The Bilton comprises of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes handpicked from some of the oldest vines on the Estate. It caused a mini storm in a tea cup when released earlier this year, but Norman McFarlane probably described this wine best, comparing it to a concept car.

3.G4 Wines – G – R2300 NEW

Bursting into the number three spot is the G. A Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend by G4 Wines. Each berry handpicked from 12 selected vineyards, the G. is apparently set to be the new benchmark for quality, price and rarity in South Africa. Well, they do have the price point covered.

4.Signal Hill – Eszencia NV – R2000

This little sweet thing has been a unique once off production of a legendary sweet wine. The SIGNAL HILL ESZENCIA is the highest ever rated South African wine on the US market and scored 96/100 from  Steven Tanzer. The Eszencia made the top 5 of the most interesting wines of the world by Tom Stevenson, and 5 stars in the Platter’s. Only 300 bottles of 375ml have been produced of this nectar.

5. Rust en Vrede – 1694 Classification 2007 – R1200
Made by Coenie Snyman of legendary wine estate, Rust en Vrede, the 1694 Classification 2007 is a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Maturation took place in new French and American oak barrels. This wine actually has some serious credentials and received a cool 93 points (that’s very good) from Wine Spectator Magazine.

6. Kanonkop – Black Label Pinotage – R1000
Kanonkop, arguably the kings of Pinotage, produced this very special wine made from vines planted on the estate in 1953. Of the 1000 first vintage bottles placed on the market 600 bottles sold out in the first 2 hours. Kanonkop release the third vintage earlier this year.

7. Rust en Vrede – Single Vineyard Syrah 2008 – R850
Rust en Vrede again. This time around it’s the Syrah. It spent 18 months in a combination of French and America oak, 75% new barrels. Wine Spectator loved it as well and scored it 91 points.

8. La Motte – Hanneli R 2005 – R824.59
This is blend of 55% Shiraz, 29% Grenache, 8% Cinsaut, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon originate from Bot River, the Grenache from Darling and the Cinsaut from Paarl. It spend 30 months in new 500-litre French oak barrels.

9. Waterford Estate – The Jem 2006 – R761.50
Waterford’s flagship wine. The Jem is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Shiraz, 7.5% Malbec, 7.5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Mourvedre, 2.5% Sangiovese, 2.5% Barbera and spend 20 months in French oak barrel. It’s a real crowd-pleaser with a solid track record.

10. Vergelegen – V 2006 – R744.80
One of South Africa’s iconic estates produced this blend, consisting mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are hand picked and fermented in closed tanks after which it spend 24 months in oak barrels.

11. Bouchard Finlayson – Galpin Peak Pinot Noir Tete de Cuvee 2009 – R742
Yes, its a mouth full in many ways, but this Pinot from Hermanus is as good as it gets. Tête de Cuvée was produced from a handful of the best barrels in the cellar from a particular vintage. Not every vintage presents suitable quality for this selection.

12. Alto – MPHS – R700
Named after the initials of the four winemakers at Alto. Manie Malan (1920 – 1956), Piet du Toit (1959 – 1982), Hempies du Toit (1983 – 2000) and Schalk van der Westhuizen (from 2001). Only 2,400 bottles of this Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon blend were produced.

And some others

Ernie Els Wines Ernie Els Signature 2006 – R652.50
Sadie Family Columella 2008 – R604.69
Sadie Family Ouwingerdreeks – R585 (this is a  mix case of 6 for R3,504.82 and you can only buy the case. Read Cathy Marston’s taken on it here)
Mvemve Raats de Compostella 2007 – R531.99
Steenberg Magna Carta 2009 – R452.19 (white wine)

Now I wonder, what’s the best value wine on this list?