Collection 2016

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.

David celebrated the variation of vintage but also took advantage of great vintages. Over the last 10 years the 2016s have proven to be one of the greatest modern-day Bordeaux vintages, on par or superior to the likes of 2010, 2009 or 2005. Across Bordeaux, the wines are structured and pure combining exotic notes and sweet fruit. As part of our annual 10-year auction, we showcase 2016 Bordeaux vintage which will delight over many decades, especially in large format. David also bought the highly regarded Italian vintage, which produced exceptional wines in Piedmont and Tuscany especially.

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

Alheit Vineyards La Colline 2016
'From celebrated 80 year old Franschhoek single-vineyard, mix white/red-skinned fruit. 2016 spontaneous ferment in youngest of old barrels (4-5 years) as 'it needs more air'. Waxy/earthy density, lifted, lengthened by lemony zest. Even finer than 2015 (4.5 stars, 92 pts).' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 5* (95/100)

'From a Franschhoek vineyard of Semillon and Semillon Gris. On the nose, there's a note of orange blossom before citrus, yellow apple, peach, dried herbs and hay - lots going on but equally nothing too heady or exaggerated. The palate meanwhile shows extraordinary fruit concentration and great length. Intense without being weighty, it comes across as just about perfectly realised. Profoundly good.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 97/100 (May 2017)

'Sweet top note. And green edginess keeps it tense and fine. Racy but substantial. Made for the long term.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Oct 2017)

'Sourced from a south-facing slope at over 320 metres in Franschhoek, this old vine Semillon (with a little Semillon Gris) is one of the best in the Cape. Riper and a little peachier than the 2015, but with the same dill, beeswax and citrus notes, underpinned by just a hint of struck match character. 2018-26' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 96/100

Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North 2016
'It was so dry, but we've ended up with this," says Chris Alheit, talking of this remarkable Chenin from blocks 10 and 13 of Basi van Lill's West Coast farm. Aged in older wood, it's very high in acidity and minerality, with aromas of white flowers segueing into a chiselled, appley, stony palate with leesy complexity and an undertone of oak. Drink 2018-26' - Tim Atkin SA Wine Report 2017, 97/100

'Another hit from Chris and Suzann Alheit. Two adjacent parcels of ungrafted Chenin vines: delicate pear and white blossom yet great persistence. Drinking Window 2018 - 2026' - Decanter.com, 96/100 (2017)

'Intense fruity nose with a hint of something metal? Huge wine but by no means fat. Very intense concentration though not alcohol. Sit up and beg! If this were a dog, you certainly couldn't ignore it. I think ideally you might wait for it to settle down a bit and develop some subtlety.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Oct 2017)

Alheit Vineyards Radio Lazarus 2016
'Sourced from two old vine blocks in Stellenbosch, one at 450 metres, the other at 400 metres, this stunning dry-farmed Chenin was fermented in clay this year, with no oak at all. Intense, concentrated stuff with mouth-watering acidity, incredible focus and precision and a long, stony, crunchy finish. 2018-26' - Tim Atkin SA Wine Report 2017, 96/100

'Bush-vine Chenin Blanc from hilltop vineyards planted in 1970 and 1978. Ripe pear, buttery apple compote notes. Seriously delicious; will evolve beautifully. Drinking Window 2018 - 2026' - Decanter, 95/100 (2017)

'Spicy nose. Very distinctive. Bone dry and sophisticated. Youthful but very promising. Tense and tightly wound.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Jun 2017)