AS WINEMAG points out, there is no official definition for a ‘Cape White Blend', but their proposal is that such wines, as opposed to the Bordeaux-style Semillon-and-Sauvignon-Blanc combos, can be made from any combination of varieties as long as they include a significant Chenin Blanc component, specifically more than 15% and less than 85%. Winemag editor Christian Eedes reasons that as Chenin is South Africa's most-planted variety by far, he's all for finding ways to celebrate it. And: “What makes the category so interesting is precisely the lack of a formulaic approach, winemakers seeking out vineyards of interest and then letting their imaginations run wild as to which varieties to combine with one another.”
The panel of judges who assessed the 32 wines submitted for the 2021 Prescient Cape White Blend Report included Eedes (chair) together with James Pietersen and Jolette Steyn of Cape Town-based merchants Wine Cellar. Top scores went to combos from Wildberg of Franschhoek, sourcing fruit from various vineyards in the Western Cape. Best “bang for your buck”? One of Bruce Jack's wines, using a mix of grapes grown in Wellington, the Breedekloof and Robertson at just R69 a bottle!
See below for all of the panel's favourites, and for the full report click here.
OUTSTANDING
Afrikaans Vol III Chenin Blanc Chardonnay 2020 – 93/100
R150pb from Guardian Peak cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Boplaas Gamka Branca Reserve 2019 – 93/100
R150pb from the cellar, Calitzdorp
Coterie Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc 2020 – 94/100
R170pb from Wildeberg cellar, Franschhoek
Tea Leaf 2020 – 94/100
R105 from Wildeberg cellar, Franschhoek
ALSO IN TOP 10
Bonfire Hill White 2020
R69pb from Bruce Jack Wines, Cape Town
Forager White 2020
R90pb from African Pride Wines, Stellenbosch
Harlem to Hope 2019
R275pb from Raats Family Wines, Stellenbosch
Meerhof 2019
R150pb from the cellar, Riebeek-Kasteel
Muratie Laurens Campher 2019
R198pb from the cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Zevenwacht Tin Mine White 2020
R115pb from the cellar in Kuils River / Stellenbosch
