Soaring demand for South Africa’s top-class Chenin – auction results

YES the top price paid at the online Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auction on 1 June 2020 will be recorded as R17 588 for a single bottle of the 63-year-old red blend Chateau Libertas, but the theme of the sale was mostly about Chenin Blanc, Chenin-based blends, and Pinotage, arguably as much South Africa’s signature red as Chenin is its signature white. There can’t have been much Pinotage in the Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery (now Distell) back in the 50s and Chateau Libertas was somewhat out of place in the auction catalogue on this occasion. The 57 fetched less than the pre-sale estimate and another bottle of the same wine went unsold. In the main the spotlight shone on some of the great whites of the Cape.

All three of the Chenins most in demand at this auction originated in Stellenbosch vineyards: Sadie’s Mev Kirsten in the Jonkershoek Valley, Forrester’s FMC in the Helderberg and Alheit’s Radio Lazarus in Bottelary. Mrs Kirsten’s are among the oldest vines in the country, and Eben Sadie must have been well pleased with the figure of over R6K per bottle, especially for such a young wine – only three years’ old. Surely a record of some sort!

Pinotage wise, bidders were focused on Lanzerac, Beeslaar, Kanonkop and Beyerskloof, all of Stellenbosch, and Rijk’s of Tulbagh. Though interesting that some bottles of 2011 Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage went unsold.

For the names and vintages of those wines that fetched top prices on the day, see below – all 750ml bottles unless stated otherwise. For the full results of the sale, click here, and for more about the auction, click here.

 

AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Chateau Libertas 1957 (Red Blend)
R17 588 paid for 1 bottle

Sadie Mev Kirsten 2017 (Chenin)
R18 760 paid for 3 bottles – R6253pb

Ken Forrester FMC Chenin 2009
R32 830 paid for 6 bottles – R5472pb

Radio Lazarus 2016 (Chenin, Alheit)
R30 485 paid for 6 bottles – R5081pb

Lanzerac Pinotage 1967
R4221 paid for 1 bottle

Sadie Old Vine Series 2009 (various)
R22 278 paid for 6 bottles – R3713pb

Nederburg Noble Late 1983
R2228 for 2 x 250ml bottle – R3342pb


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Sadie Mev Kirsten 2016 (Chenin)
R8208 paid for 3 bottles – R2736pb

Beeslaar Pinotage 2012
R14 070 paid for 6 bottles – R2345pb

Kanonkop Black Label 2012
R9380 paid for 4 bottles – R2345pb

Kanonkop CIWG Pinotage 1994
R4690 paid for 2 bottles – R2345pb

Radio Lazarus 2012 (Chenin, Alheit)
R4456 paid for 2 bottles – R2228pb

Chateau Libertas 1967 (Red Blend)
R1876 for 2x375ml bottles – R1876pb

Mullineux Straw Wine 2011
R938 for 1 x 375ml bottle – R1876pb

Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2010
R10 553 paid for 6 bottles – R1759pb

Mullineux White 2008–2013
R9967 paid for 6 bottles – R1661pb

Mullineux White 2014–2019
R9380 paid for 6 bottles – R1563pb

Magnetic North 2013
(Chenin Blanc, Alheit)
R4573 paid for 3 bottles – R1525pb


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Rijk’s Reserve Pinotage 2009
R8208 paid for 6 bottles – R1368pb

Rijk’s Reserve Pinotage 2012
R8208 paid for 6 bottles – R1368pb

Sadie Skurfberg 2015 (Chenin)
R8208 paid for 6 bottles – R1368pb

Sadie Skerpioen 2013 (White Blend)
R3752 paid for 2 bottles – R1290pb

DeMorgenzon Divas Chenin 2013
R7622 paid for 6 bottles – R1270pb

Eden Chenin Blanc 2014 (Raats)
R7622 paid for 6 bottles – R1270pb

Kanonkop Pinotage 2009
R7622 paid for 6 bottles – R1270pb

Sadie ‘T Voetpad 2015 (White Blend)
R3752 paid for 3 bottles – R1251pb

Beyerskloof Faith 2011 (Cape Blend)
R7035 paid for 6 bottles – R1172pb

Luddite Chenin Blanc 2013
R7035 paid for 6 bottles – R1172pb

Magnetic North 2016
(Chenin Blanc, Alheit)
R7035 paid for 6 bottles – R1172pb

Sadie Skurfberg 2012 (Chenin)
R2345 paid for 2 bottles – R1172pb

Sadie Skurfberg 2014 (Chenin)
R3518 paid for 3 bottles – R1173pb

Sadie ‘T Voetpad 2014 (White Blend)
R2345 paid for 2 bottles – R1172pb

Kanonkop Pinotage 2012
R6449 for 3 x 1.5L bottle – R1075pb

 


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