So Ryan Mostert and Samantha Suddons, of new winery Terra Cura, popped round. They brought with them a couple of boxes of wine, so we sat, tasted and drank. Some very interesting bottles.

Sadie Family Skurberg 2010 Olifants River, South Africa
From a vineyard of decomposed sandstone planted between 1940 and 1955, this is Chenin Blanc. It’s complex with hints of cheese and herbs, with real precision and depth and lovely acidity. Developing slowly and beautifully, it’s really fresh despite 14.5% alcohol. Truly great. 94/100

Smiley Chenin Blanc NV Swartland, South Africa
This is a non-vintage Chenin, and it’s 30% egg. 12.6% alcohol. Very fresh with waxy lemon notes and a tiny savoury mushroom note. Pear, spice and citrus too, with lovely pithiness. Real interest. 92/100

Reyneke Reserve Chenin Blanc 2011 Stellenbosch, South Africa
Fermented in used barrels. This is reductive, mineral, taut and flinty with a lovely acid spine. Ripe apples and citrus. Fine. 92/100

Wine Cellar Chenin Blanc 2014 Swartland, South Africa
Made by Terra Cura as a Wine Cellar special. Supple, midweight, with herbs and tangerine notes, as well as some lemony freshness. Midweight, complex, fresh. 91/100

Silvervis 2014 Swartland, South Africa
This is a Cinsault, and it’s lovely. Fresh, pure and grippy with red cherries, raspberry and spice. Fine, expressive, juicy and with some savoury grip. Just 900 bottles made. 93/100

Wine Cellar Syrah 2014 Swartland, South Africa
Another Wine Cellar private label made by Terra Cura. This is fresh, juicy and spicy with nice peppery notes and raspberry and cherry fruit. Fresh and expressive, it’s a lovely wine. 91/100

Terra Cura ‘Radix’ Kasteelberg 2014 Swartland, South Africa
As yet unreleased, this is a serious effort from a tricky vintage. It’s a grown-up Syrah that’s distinctly Northern Rhone in profile, with bright, peppery black cherries and plums. Savoury, structured and quite grippy with lovely balance and structure. 94/100

Jamet Cote Rotie 2006 Northern Rhone, France
The last bottle of a case of the wine that really turned Ryan and Sam onto wine in a big way, it was very cool to be able to share this with them. It’s savoury, meaty and engaging, with iodine, blood, sweet black cherries and fine herbs. Meat, spice and pepper dominate the palate, but there’s also some fruit sweetness, and olive/tapenade character, too. 95/100

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