The 2009 Semillon is blended with 5% Sauvignon Blanc and is raised in new French oak for twelve months. It has a very expressive nose with almond, pineapple and banana skin. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity: notes of lemon curd, almond, vanilla and orange peel. It is very tight and focused with a taut finish. It deserves several years to show its true potential. Drink 2015-2023. It may still be difficult to pronounce but Boekenhoutskloof continues to affirm itself as one of South Africa's leading estates. Mark Kent is an astute helmsman, branching out to regions beyond his base in Franschhoek, for example, into Swartland for his Syrah. I still feel that he could rein in the new oak a little, but otherwise this is another set of superb South African wines.Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, Alabama. Tel 205-949-6262.

The 2008 Semillon is sourced from old bush vines matured 100% in French oak. It has a very clean, pure quintessentially Semillon nose with touches of honeysuckle, melted candle wax and pink grapefruit. The palate is well balanced with good acidity and a slight waxy texture. There is ample freshness and vigour and impressive weight on the viscous finish with dried honey, honeycomb and a touch of dried ginger. Drink now-2015. Franschhoek’s Boekenhoutskloof is rightly regarded as one of South Africa’s leading wineries, the only producer I awarded 5-stars in the 7th Wine Buyers Guide (though I would now add more.) The ever-enterprising Mark Kent has recently acquired a vineyard in Swartland that he intends to use for his Syrah. In the winery, he is currently experimenting with fermentation in Nomblot concrete eggs. See also his “Porcupine Ridge” and “Wolftrap” labels.Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, Alabama. Tel 205-949-6262.