Winemag unimpressed by Cape Sauvignon Blanc – Prescient Report
WHEN THEY put it like that, it’s hard to swallow… that the “Top 10” Sauvignon Blanc wines of South Africa don’t include even one worthy of a top rating in their book (96+). “Inherently simple,” says Winemag editor Christian Eedes in the publication’s annual report on the category, sponsored by FSC Prescient. Not even the panel’s favourites among the most “outstanding” examples in the line-up of 91 wines from 63 producers were considered worthy of 95 points, even, which at many shows around the world is the threshold for a gold medal. 94 was the most they could come up with for the six top-rated wines – see below – including a couple from SB specialist Diemersdal of Durbanville, whose 2022 vintage of The Journal Sauvignon Blanc was also a stand-out at the Decanter World Wine Awards in the UK where it rated 97.
On the panel with Eedes (chair) was wine writer Malu Lambert and sommelier Ndaba Dube, F&B manager at the President Hotel in Cape Town.
Diemersdal Journal 2022
R240pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Diemersdal Reserve 2022
R130pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Du Toitskloof Old Vine 2022
R190pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville
Kruger Old Vines 2021
R225pb ex-producer, Stellenbosch
Mellish Blanc Fumé 2021
R235pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Vigne d’Or 2022
R145pb from Terre Paisible cellar, Franschhoek
Some people just don’t like Sauvignon blanc. In fact, I believe that they have never liked it much. I can see a drop in entries next time. Meanwhile there are some really special Sauvignons out there…
Absolutely. Even if you prefer Chardonnay or Chenin to Sauvignon Blanc, surely the best Sauvignon in South Africa is gold medal standard, at least.