First released in 2001, Ashbourne sets the benchmark for Pinotage. With only nine barrels made, equating to around 2,500 bottles, it's a boutique collector's item for those in-the-know - and that collectability goes through the roof when a respected wine critic like Tim Atkin MW awards it 95 points. Crisp cherry, wild strawberry, damson and ripe plum fruit flavours are laced with wildflowers, violet, clove, sage, mint, oak, vanilla and spiced rooibos tea. Ashbourne Pinotage 2018 feels instantly like a classic, calling for a roast dinner with all the trimmings, slow-cooked stews or classic European dishes like goulash, coq au vin or beef bourguignon. The beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley winery is owned by Anthony Hamilton Russell. Pinotage produced here is elegant and refined, far more reminiscent of fine Burgundy than it is of the slightly overcooked, rubbery and banana-flavoured wines that give this grape its unfairly dubious reputation. Prepare to be surprised.£6.67 per 100.00ml