South African Legends Series ‘Simon & the Huguenots’ Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2021 Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa 75cl

The South African Legends Series tells the stories behind Cape wine, and this bottle salutes Simon van der Stel, the early Cape governor who granted land to the French Huguenots fleeing persecution. Those settlers helped lay the foundations of the country’s wine culture. The wine is made by Villiera, the Grier family estate in Stellenbosch.

This is a white in the classic Bordeaux mould, pairing Sauvignon Blanc with Semillon. Sauvignon brings the zesty, herbaceous freshness, while Semillon adds weight, texture and a rounder mid-palate, giving a wine with more substance and staying power than Sauvignon alone. It is a style with a long history at the Cape, where the two grapes have partnered for generations.

This is the 2021 vintage from Stellenbosch. We hold limited vintage-specific detail for this wine, so the notes describe the intended style rather than verified harvest data.

Expect citrus, gooseberry and a touch of green herb from the Sauvignon, with Semillon lending a softer, slightly waxy weight and a gentle mineral thread. It is dry, balanced and food-friendly, and rewards being served well chilled but not ice cold, so the texture can show. Given a little air it fills out further, showing why the Sauvignon and Semillon pairing has endured at the Cape for so long.

A blend like this is more flexible at the table than a straight Sauvignon Blanc, working with grilled fish, roast chicken, salads and creamy pasta. If you enjoy white Bordeaux or textured Cape whites, Simon’s tribute is a rewarding, characterful choice with a story to match.