ERNIE ELS WINES

Wines from the 2012 British Open Champion.

Since its launch more than a decade ago Ernie Els Wines has grown and matured into a successful and multi-award winning enterprise with a magnificent portfolio of six South African red wines. In 2011 we have added two new wines to our portfolio - the Big Easy White and the Cabernet Sauvignon. Ernie himself is passionate about wine and is very much involved in the tasting process. In partnership with experienced winemaker Louis Strydom their shared passion for wine is reflected in the quality of the product right across the price ranges.

The flagship Ernie Els is a signature Bordeaux style blend of all five varieties. Engelbrecht Els Vineyards is a Proprietor's Blend combining Ernie's Bordeaux style pallet and former business partner Jean Engelbrecht's love for Shiraz. Cirrus is a joint venture Jean pioneered with the Duncan family of Napa, California.

Winery Website                  Extended Portfolio

SCORE LEGEND
DC - Decanter, INT                            WE - Wine Enthusiast, INT
RP - Robert Parker, INT                     WS - Wine Spectator, INT
JP - John Platter, RSA                       TA - Tim Atkin, INT
WM - Wine Mag, RSA

2023 BIG EASY WHITE
+748655 · 12x750ml

100% Chenin Blanc.
Lifted aromatics of pineapple crush, white flowers in a sea-salted breeze, the sense of summer rain dissolving into lemony straw. Generously fruited the palate radiates with sun kissed mango,
STATUS: OPEN
JP:3*

Current Vintage      Past Vintages

2022 BIG EASY RED
+755116 · 12x750ml

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Shiraz, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec.
Ruby with a translucent rim. Fresh cinnamon, all-spice and tobacco leaf curl across a mix of black and red cherries. Cabernet Sauvignon led, a component of Shiraz layers in spicy perfume and pine needle freshness. Hints of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec add curves in all the right places with lashings of ink and cacao, red-peppers and tomato leaf. Utter harmony between medium-body and well-judged freshness acts as a springboard for the complexity of fruit and silky-smooth tannins.
Great with pasta & tomato sauce; or pizza. Grilled beef medallions in a peppercorn sauce.

STATUS: OPEN
DC: 88 || JP: 4*
Silver Medal / 90 points - International Wine Challenge 2024
Bronze Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards 2024

Current Vintage      Past Vintages

2023 ERNIE ELS CABERNET SAUVIGNON · MAJOR SERIES
+755117 · 12x750ml

100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Each clonal batch of Cabernet was micro-vinified in oak barrels. Aged for 10 months in 300 litre French oak barrels (40% new). A small batch of Cabernet Sauvignon (8%) spend 9 months in terracotta. The 2023 vintage displays black plum and dark fruit, with, "scents of flint and fire," and cedar. It is described as having "lemony-fresh" acidity and firm, fine-grained tannins.
Port wine braised beef short ribs. Cabernet-braised venison cheeks. Smoked Beef fillet with Salsa Verde.

STATUS:OPEN
JP: 94 || TA: 94
Gold Medal - The Global Cabernet Sauvignon Masters 2025
Silver Medal, 94 points - Trophy Wine Show 2025
Silver Medal, 93 points - International Wine Challenge 2025

Current Vintage      Past Vintages

2022 ERNIE ELS PROPRIETOR'S BLEND
+721146 · 6x750ml

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Shiraz, 10% Merlot.
Opaque crimson. Opens with savoury intensity, charred meat, black cedar, cassis, hints of balsamic and crushed juniper. The aromatics follow onto the palate weaving through a dark heart of blackcurrant, flowing to ruby-bright pomegranate. The fruit carries along a crystalline acidity, the tannins tight and focused. Sumptuous with fruited depth, the six varieties are in perfect, harmonic accord. Built to age gracefully.
Great when served with a big steak.

STATUS: OPEN
JP: 94
Gold Medal / 96 points - Decanter World Wine Awards 2025

Current Vintage      Past Vintages

2016 ERNIE ELS SIGNATURE
+721147 · 6x750ml

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc.
Notes of menthol and a touch of eucalyptus add a fresh counter point to the dark, brooding fruit, typical of this vintage. Warm oak notes add gravitas and a luxurious attraction to the nose. It leads to a palate that teems with rich fruit and notes of cherry tobacco, with a further herbal edge and grippy lead pencil on the finish. A touch leaner than other vintages, this wine is nonetheless sumptuous, with dry, defined tannins and a silky, yet serious end. It will require a year or so for the lick of oak to amalgamate.
Serve with Beef Tenderloin, sumac studded, duck sauce, turnip gratin. Also great with game meats, lamb.

STATUS: OPEN
JP: 93 (4.5*) || TA: 93
Silver Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards

Current Vintage      Past Vintages

2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC
+779605 · 12x750ml

100% Sauvignon Blanc.
The 2018 is very light in colour and body but shows fine concentration from the dry 2018 vintage. Spellbinding notes of passion fruit and fig excite the nose, while hints of orange blossom and minerals give complexity. It is richly textured and dry, with a nicely balanced tropical fruit core and citrus edge. Gentle notes of creme de cassis give extra depth to a serious, yet generous palate. It is linear in style, with a spine of fresh acidity that carries layers of long-lasting fruit.
Serve with seafood, shellfish, grilled freshwater fish.

STATUS: SOLD OUT - NOT MADE ANYMORE
JP: 3.5*

Current Vintage      Past Vintages