Andrea Mullineux, Leeu Passant, Franschhoek

FROM A SINGLE, east-facing vineyard in Franschhoek, planted around the time that Leeu Passant was founded just 10 years ago, “this is the first release of this stunning and classy Cabernet Franc,” says winemaker Andrea Mullineux of the wine that fetched the highest price paid at the 2023 Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Auction. “These steep, terraced slopes have a permanent cover crop of multiple fynbos species spanning the ground under the vines.” Only a single barrel (500L) was made of this, Mullineux’s first single-varietal Cab Franc, bottled after two years of maturation, with 50 of the 81 cases sold by auction house Strauss & Co at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West for a total of R747 000. Average price paid: R14 940 per 6×750ml case (R2490pb). Highest price paid: R50 000 for two 6×750ml cases (R4166pb).

Besides Mullineux & Leeu, the following producers also attracted bids of over R2000 per bottle: Abrie Beeslaar (Kanonkop), Donovan Rall, Carl Schultz (Hartenberg), Carel Nel (Boplaas), Gordon Newton Johnson, David Trafford, Frans Smit (Spier), Morné Vrey (Delaire Graff), Louis Strydom (Ernie Els), Alex Starey (Keermont), Miles Mossop and Duncan Savage – see below for details of the wines.

Established in 1982, the CWG is a collective of top South African winemakers recognised for excelling at their craft – membership is by invitation only. At the 39th Cape Winemakers Guild Auction sponsored by Nedbank, 39 wines from 31 Guild members went under the hammer. A total of 1792 cases (6×750ml) were sold for R14 788 000. The average price per case: R8 252 – R8 814 for red wines and R7 372 for white wines.

There were 96 successful bidders: 58% South African, 42% overseas (24 countries), with 24% of the purchases going to the UK, 3% to Denmark and 2% to the Netherlands. According to Roland Peens, a fine wine specialist and one of the auctioneers: “Prices were 12% up on last year, showing the incredible growth of the CWG brand.”

TOP PRICES FETCHED

Leeu Passant Franschhoek Hillside Cabernet Franc 2021
R50 000 (US$2577) paid for 12×750ml: R4166pb

Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2020 (Red Blend, WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch)
R110 000 (US$5670) paid for 36×750ml: R3055pb

Mullineux The Gris Old Vines Semillon 2022 (WO Swartland)
R35 000 (US$1804) paid for 12×750ml: R2916pb

Rall Noa Syrah 2021 (WO Swartland)
R35 000 (US$1804) paid for 12×750ml: R2916pb

Hartenberg CWG Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (WO Stellenbosch)
R32 000 (US$1649) paid for 12×750ml: R2666pb

Boplaas Cape Tawny Colheita 2007 (Port, WO Calitzdorp)
R28 000 (US$1443) paid for 12×750ml: R2333pb

Newton Johnson Sandford Chardonnay 2021 (WO Upper Hemel-en-Aarde)
R54 000 (US$2783) paid for 24×750ml: R2250pb

De Trafford Glenrosa Syrah 2021 (WO Stellenbosch)
R26 000 (US$1340) paid for 12×750ml: R2166pb

Spier Frans K Smit CWG Special Edition 2019 (Red Blend, WO Stellenbosch)
R26 000 (US$1340) paid for 12×750ml: R2166pb

Delaire Graff Banghoek Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (WO Stellenbosch)
R25 000 (US$1289) paid for 12×750ml: R2083pb

Ernie Els CWG 2020 (Red Blend, WO Stellenbosch)
R25 000 (US$1289) paid for 12×750ml: R2083pb

Keermont Where Mountains Meet 2021 (Red Blend, WO Stellenbosch)
R25 000 (US$1289) paid for 12×750ml: R2083pb

Miles Mossop Maximilian 2020 (Red Blend, WO Stellenbosch)
R25 000 (US$1289) paid for 12×750ml: R2083pb

Savage Auction Syrah 2021 (WO Coastal)
R25 000 (US$1289) paid for 12×750ml: R2083pb

The above prices include commissions and VAT.

• Other wine sales highlighted by the auction conveners included: Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs Cuvée 108 Chardonnay 2014 from Pieter Ferreira (up to R10 000pc), Bartho Eksteen Vloekskoot Sauvignon Blanc Wooded 2022 (up to R10 000pc), and David Finlayson Inkunzi Tempranillo 2018 (up to R9499pc).