Solms-Hegewisch Africana 2005

Tom Stevenson, ‘Wine Report 2008’
Ranked 1st among the SA region’s ’10 Most Exciting or Unusual Finds’ and 22nd among the world’s ‘100 Most Exciting Wine Finds’ of the year – “Its generosity and outsized proportions are beguiling, not imposing. From Shiraz; its cranberry aromas are lifted by fresh sage, dried fennel, touches of tobacco and wet tea leaf; the palate refreshes with lemony acidity, agreeable tannins and a long, lingering, sour-cherry finish. For contemplation ... Lovely, pure aromas with extremely elegant, beautifully focused fruit on the palate.”

Angela Lloyd, ‘John Platter South African Wine Guide 2008’
Africana 2005: “Delicious and distinctive ... Perfumed wild strawberry & spice; full, flavoursome … remarkable feat of balance.” RATING 4 Stars

Brendon Shaw – the cru
“unforgettable wine ... the rewards are insurmountable. I could not believe how dense and rich the flavours were – both in smell and taste. I just couldn’t stop sniffing and sipping on this lovely wine ... The wild strawberry notes were gorgeous and so too was the little hint of mulled spice. This was magic, a real pleasure to experience – and it’s still young – I can only imagine that with a little maturation this is going to evolve into a truly magnificent symphony of flavours.”

Jacqui Latimer, ‘Good Taste’
”startlingly dry smokiness and throaty whisperings of strawberry and spice, is the ultimate seduction.”

Angela Lloyd, ‘John Platter South African Wine Guide - 2007’
“exciting and flavoursome ...  remarkable feat of balance, brilliant ruby clarity, subtle perfumes of wild strawberry & spice. Extraordinary analysis ...  engaging personality” RATING 4 Stars

Tim James, ‘grape.co.za’
“most interesting and rewarding ... beguiling nose, and an expanding complexity ... generous proportions ... fine tannins and a lifting acidity ... a purchase one is not likely to regret – especially if you leave the wine to mature for the five-plus beneficial years it deserves”. RATING 17
“somehow in a different category: a wine for sipping at the end of a meal, with… plenty of warm thoughts – a meditation wine, (as) the Italians call their Amarone.”

Greg Landman, ‘Country Life’
“unbelievable heights ... spectacular wine ... will take your breath away ... fabulously complex, packed with intense berry flavours ... A superior addition to the estate’s marvellous range.”

Neil Beckett, ‘Icons 2007’
Solms-Delta: “The most unusual wines I came across [in South Africa]”
Africana 2005: “The most dramatic of the five [Solms-Delta] wines made from partially or totally desiccated fruit … to which the closest wine might be Amarone della Valpolicella or Sagrantino de Montefalco, though this pungently scented and powerfully tannic wine is unique.”

‘Wine Tourism News’
“An intense nose ... very smooth mouth-feel ... good length”

Africana – is the cultural produce of Africa, both indigenous and colonial. Delta farm is a rich source of Africana. This is due partly to the coincidence that the first European to settle here (circa 1690) built his homestead directly over a site that stone-age toolmakers had settled some 6,000 years before.