5 Stars 2024 John Platter’s South African Wine Guide A double bill of these pure, distinguished tributes to George Spies’ legendary 1960’s wines. 20 (94 pts) more generous & opulent in its richly layered dark fruit & supple tannins. Like sibling, 2 years in new oak, suitable foil for opulence, 21 ***** (96 pts) shows vintage’s expressive restraint. Lovely intensity & complexity, similar fruit profile but finer talents & structure for the long haul, while debonaire sibling entertains.94 pts Wine Advocate June 2025 The initials GS pay homage to the late winemaker George Spies (a trailblazer in the 1960s making some of the country’s most age-worthy bottles), and this wine is made with the blessing of his family. The David Finlayson 2021 Stellenbosch GS Cabernet Sauvignon is a fine single-vineyard expression of the grape with an all South African soul. There is power and strength in this wine, but it never feels overdone. You get a pretty display of dark fruit flavors and plum with flutters of spice, dark flower and pulverized stone. This is a release of 6,500 bottles. 2024-203592 pts Tim Atkin MW 2024 Clay and gravel soils that are well suited to Cabernet Sauvignon are the source of this Stellenbosch red, made as a tribute to the legendary 1960s winemaker, George Spies. Fleshy, textured, concentrated and built to last, it has appealing mocha and dark chocolate aromas, fine-grained tannins, bright acidity and the typical balance of the vintage. 2025-3091 pts Wine Spectator 11/30/25 A harmonious red, with length and focus to the flavors of crème de cassis, bay leaf, mocha and spiced orange peel, plus a subtle overtone of cured tobacco. Fresh and appealing, with fine-grained tannins enmeshed in the expansive profile. Drink now through 2031. 500 cases made, 250 cases imported.
