FOR THE MOST PART, the results of Strauss & Co’s ‘Rhône-themed’ fine wine online auction conducted in collaboration with the merchants Wine Cellar and sommelier Higgo Jacobs from 6 to 14 April 2020 were to be expected. But how impressive was the demand for that youngster from Donovan Rall, and could that old Zandvliet really still be alive and well? For the South African wines that fetched top prices, see below, for the full results of the sale, click here, and for more about these auctions, click here.

Sadie, Rust en Vrede, Mullineux, Boekenhoutskloof, Boschkloof among the star attractions. No surprises there! However, nearly R2K per bottle for a three-year-old Swartland Shiraz from a man who doesn’t own a cellar or a vineyard?! Take a bow Mr Rall.

And over R1K per bottle for a Shiraz from Ashton that’s just a few years short of 40? According to Wine Cellar director Roland Peens, the 1983 Zandvliet remains lovely: “Offering a superb balance of freshness, red fruit and typical Shiraz meaty complexity, this wine offers beautiful poise, drinkability and style. Soft and flavoursome, it will keep well for another decade.” Rather pleasing for the new owners of Zandvliet – the Retiefs of Van Loveren Family Vineyards in Robertson having purchased the brand last year.

 

AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Sadie Columella 2008
R18 760 for 6×750ml bottles (R3127pb), WO Swartland

Sadie Columella 2013
R14 070 for 6×750ml bottles (R2345pb), WO Swartland

Rust en Vrede Syrah 2007
R6215 for 3×750ml bottles (R2071pb), WO Stellenbosch

Rall Ava Syrah 2017
R11 725 for 6×750ml bottles (R1954pb), WO Swartland

Mullineux Iron Syrah 2013
R11 256 for 6×750ml bottles (R1876pb), WO Swartland

Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2005
R10 553 for 6×750ml bottles (R1759pb), WO Wellington

Boschkloof Epilogue Syrah 2015
R10 553 for 6×750ml bottles (R1759pb), WO Stellenbosch

De Trafford Syrah 2010
R7035 for 1×3L bottle (R1759 / 750ml), WO Stellenbosch

Porseleinberg Syrah 2015
R10 553 for 6×750ml bottles (R1759pb), WO Swartland

Sadie Soldaat 2015 (Grenache)
R5277 or 3×750ml bottles (R1759pb), WO Piekenierskloof

Mullineux Syrah 2010
R4925 for 3×750ml bottles (R1642pb), WO Swartland

Luddite Shiraz 2005
R9380 for 6×750ml bottles (R1563pb), WO Bot River

Porseleinberg Syrah 2011
R18 760 for 12×750ml bottles (R1563pb), WO Swartland

Porseleinberg Syrah 2014
R8 208 for 6×750ml bottles (R1368pb), WO Swartland

Mullineux Syrah 2008 – 2011
R5277 for 4×750ml bottles (R1319pb), WO Swartland

Mullineux Syrah 2012
R15 477 for 12×750ml bottles (R1290pb), WO Swartland

Hartenberg Gravel Hill Shiraz 2005
R7622 for 6×750ml bottles (R1270pb), WO Bottelary, Stellenbosch

Hartenberg The Stork Shiraz 2006
R7035 for 6×750ml bottles (R1172pb), WO Bottelary, Stellenbosch

Keermont Syrah 2012
R7035 for 6×750ml bottles (R1172pb), WO Stellenbosch

Sadie Pofadder 2014 (Cinsaut)
R7035 for 6×750ml bottles (R1172pb), WO Swartland

Zandvliet Shiraz 1983
R3283 for 3×750ml bottles (R1094pb), WO Ashton

Lismore Syrah 2011
R6449 for 6×750ml bottles (R1075pb), WO Greyton

 

• The following wines fetched top prices at the Strauss & Co online auction held from 4 to 16 March 2020 – full results here.

De Wetshof Finesse Chardonnay 1993
R7739 for 3×750ml bottles (R2580pb), WO Robertson

Bouchard Finlayson Tête de Cuvée Pinot Noir 2003
R4456 for 3×750ml bottles (R1485pb), WO Hemel-en-Aarde Vlley

Meerlust Pinot Noir 1989
R1290 for 1×750ml bottle, WO Stellenbosch

Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2003
R6449 for 6×750ml bottles (R1075pb), WO Hemel-en-Aarde Vlley