FOCUSING on single-variety wines of South Africa that fall outside the mainstream, Winemag.co.za’s 2018 Alternative Varieties Report includes 26 wines reviewed as excellent (90 to 92/100) and four as outstanding (93 to 95/100) – this from a line-up of 97 wines. The judges, – editor and panel chair Christian Eedes with online retailer Wine Cellar’s Roland Peens and James Pietersen – found the Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier “extremely promising”, a number of the Semillons “rich and broad”, and the varieties Cinsaut, Grenache and Cab Franc eliciting most conversation among the reds.

The top-rated red wine on the day: Warwick Cabernet Franc 2015. Impressive track record. The top-rated whites: Bosman Fides Grenache Blanc 2016, Idiom Semillon 2015, and Arcangeli Feiteiras Verdelho 2016, the latter a particularly unusual variety in the Cape and from a revived property outside Bot River that now has an Italian feel to it. Full report with descriptions of the wines here.

 

‘Alternative’ White Varieties in SA

TOP-RATED GRENACHE BLANC

Bosman Fides 2016
Wellington cellar – R185
Leeuwenkuil 2016
Voor-Paardeberg cellar – R130
Olifantsberg 2016
Brëerivier cellar, Breedekloof – R175

TOP-RATED PINOT GRIS

Usana 2016
Stellenbosch cellar – R85

TOP-RATED ROUSSANNE

Org de Rac Organic 2017
Piketberg Cellar Swartland – R72

TOP-RATED SEMILLON

Arcangeli 2016
Bot River Cellar, Walker Bay – R150
Bosman 2015
Wellington Cellar – R100
Dornier 017
Stellenbosch Cellar – R160
Ghost Corner 2016 (Cederberg)
Cederberg Cellar – R190
Idiom 2015
Sir Lowry’s Pass Cellar – R200
Rickety Bridge Paulina’s Reserve 2016
Franschhoek Cellar – R140
Vrede en Lust Artisan 2016
Simonsberg Cellar, Paarl – R99

TOP RATED VERDELHO

Arcangeli Feiteiras 2016
Bot River Cellar, Walker Bay – R200

TOP-RATED VERMENTINO

Morgenster Vespri 2017
Somerset West Cellar – R120

TOP-RATED VIOGNIER

Ken Forrester Woolworths Reserve Collection 2016
Helderberg Cellar, Somerset West – Own Label
Nitida The Tinkery 2017
Durbanville Cellar – R145
Vrede en Lust 2017
Simonsberg Cellar, Paarl – R109

 

‘Alternative’ Red Varieties in SA

TOP-RATED CABERNET FRANC

Raats Dolomite 2015
Stellenbosch Producer – R125
Raats Family 2015
Stellenbosch Producer – R500
Rainbow’s End 2016
Banghoek Cellar, Stellenbosch – R195
Rietvallei JMB 2015
Klaasvoogds Cellar, Robertson – R320
Warwick 2014
Simonsberg Cellar, Stellenbosch – R320
Warwick 2015
Simonsberg Cellar, Stellenbosch – R320

TOP-RATED CINSAULT

Blackwater Hinterland 2014
Swartland Cellar – R235

TOP-RATED GRENACHE

Blackwater Daniel 2017
Swartland Cellar – R235
Sutherland 2016 (Thelema)
Simonsberg Cellar, Stellenbosch – R300
Waverley Hills Organic 2017
Tulbagh Cellar – R120

TOP-RATED NEBBIOLO

Morgenster Italian Collection Nabucco 2014
Somerset West Cellar – R338

TOP-RATED PETIT VERDOT

Sutherland 2015 (Thelema)
Simonsberg Cellar, Stellenbosch – R300

TOP-RATED SANGIOVESE

Koelenbosch 2015 (Koelenhof)
Koelenhof Cellar, Stellenbosch – R75

 

• Prices per 750ml bottle at the cellar door