ANNOUNCED in advance of the book going on sale at retail stores around 10 December, the award winners showcased in the 2023 edition of Platter’s South African Wine Guide include 26 Wines of the Year and 196 Five Star laureates. To achieve a 5 Star rating requires a score of 95 or higher on a 100-point scale, involving a team of wine experts and a final round of judging conducted ‘blind’, labels out of sight. Until the book goes on sale, the publishers won’t divulge the scores, but the Wines of the Year are described as the ‘top performers’ in those categories where 5 Star ratings were awarded:

PLATTER’S WINES OF THE YEAR

• ’T Voetpad 2021 (White Blend)
R379pb from the Sadie Family, Paardeberg-Malmesbury

• Bartho Eksteen Houtskool 2021 (Sauvignon Blanc)
R475pb ex-cellar, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

• Benguela Cove Vinography Petit Verdot 2020
R600pb ex-cellar, Bot River

• Benguela Cove Vinography Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2021
R550pb ex-cellar, Bot River

• Beyerskloof Faith 2018 (Red Blend)
R850pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

• Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2020 (Port)
R295pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp

• Cap Maritime Pinot Noir 2021
R445pb from Boekenhoutskloof, Franschhoek

• Columella 2020 (Red Blend)
R919pb from the Sadie Family, Paardeberg-Malmesbury

• De Krans Muscat Blanc 2022 (Fortified)
R120pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp

• Fleur du Cap Laszlo 2019 (Red Blend)
R500pb from Distell, Stellenbosch

• Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2021
R543pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

• Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage 2020
R2200pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

• Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2018
R1450pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Constantia

• Kruger Old Vines Grenache Noir 2020
R325pb ex-producer, Somerset West

• Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
R850pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch

• Leeu Passant Dry Red 2019
R1120pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek

• Lemberg Hárslevelü 2021
R230pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh

• L’Ormarins Private Cuvée 2014 (Cap Classique)
R430pb from Rupert Wines, Franschhoek

• Misterie 2017 (Merlot)
R2000pb from Longridge, Helderberg-Stellenbosch

• Mulderbosch Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2019
R420pb ex-cellar, Polkadraai Hills-Stellenbosch

• Mullineux CWG Trifecta Chenin Blanc 2020
Auction wine, Riebeek-Kasteel cellar

• Mullineux Olerasay Straw Wine NV
R1175pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Riebeek-Kasteel

• Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2021
R450pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Elgin

• Rall Cinsault 2021
R265pb ex-producer, Malmesbury

• Sons of Sugarland Syrah 2021
R390pb from Patatsfontein/Boschkloof, Stellenbosch

• Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite 2021 (Semillon)
R365 ex-producer, Bot River

 

Mullineux of Riebeek-Kasteel in the Swartland won the Winery of the Year award for the producer achieving most 5 Star ratings in the guide. For the names of all the wines awarded 5 Stars in Platter’s 2023, click here. For the names of those wines most highly rated overall and exactly what the scores are, watch this space…

 

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