Timed Online Auction, 28 January - 9 February 2026

Provenance

The late David Brice was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and co-founder of Wine Cellar, fine wine merchants. His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world wine, and generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions. The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Wine Cellar thereafter. Many of the producers are not available in South Africa and provide an excellent buying opportunity.

The Rhône valley was one of David's favoured regions, known for its diverse range of reds and whites. These were quintessential French wines from excellent easy-drinking, to fine, long-term treasures. He enjoyed wines from all the villages from Vaucluse to Vacqueyras, and Cornas to Côte-Rôtie. David focused on top vintages for long-term maturation and lesser vintages for earlier drinking. The highlight perhaps is his deep collection of top Châteauneuf-du-Pape from great vintages like 2010 and 2007.

For more detailed information on the lots, please feel free to contact Roland Peens (roland@winecellar.co.za). Roland spent many years sharing and enjoying these wines with David Brice and is happy to provide further insight into the collection.

Critics Ratings

'A wine that should come close to matching its 2016 counterpart, the 2017 Vacqueyras Les Templiers (50/50 Grenache and Syrah aged in stainless steel and concrete tanks) offers a classic style in its peppery garrigue, underbrush, damp earth, and gamey, meaty aromas and flavors. With lots of dark fruit, good density, and integrated acidity, it's a winner.' - Jeb Dunnuck, 90-93/100 (Sep 2018)

'Opaque ruby. Blueberry, cherry, candied flowers and hints of olive and cracked pepper on the highly fragrant nose. Appealingly sweet and focused in the mouth, showing very good depth to the juicy, smoke-accented black and blue fruit and spicecake flavors. Shows a repeating floral note and bright, spicy lift on the youthfully tannic finish, which leaves behind building dark fruit liqueur and cola notes. Raised in a combination of concrete and stainless steel tanks. 2022-2028' - Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 92/100 (Feb 2020)

'Tasted blind. Reductive nose has a nappyish stink that spoils the purity. Light, simplistic palate with gentle tannic structure.' - Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com, 15.5/20 (Oct 2018)