THE ART of wine… Wine in art… Sponsored by Nedbank, the Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Auction and, in particular, the showcase tasting events during the build-up to the annual sale had an AI dimension to them – artificial intelligence used to paint interpretations of the wines prompted by sensory descriptors. Essentially, an AI-generated tasting guide encouraging wine lovers to engage on a deeper level with what's in the glass, each artwork providing a visual representation of the wine's intricacies. (For the prompts that generated the examples pictured above, scroll to the bottom of this article)
The 2024 CWG Auction facilitated by Strauss & Co on 4 and 5 October at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West attracted 276 bidders from 13 countries and raised R16.6-million – all 545 lots were sold, with R1210pb and R1375 the average prices paid for the 20 white and 28 red wines respectively. There were 101 successful bidders, with 55% of the sales going to South African bidders and 28% to buyers in the UK.
Setting a new record for white wines in the 40-year history of the auction was The Gris Old Vines Semillon 2023 from Andrea Mullineux of Riebeek-Kasteel in the Swartland, and the top price paid for a red wine was for Abrie Beeslaar's CWG Paul Sauer 2021 from Kanonkop on the slopes of the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch. See below for info about the wines in most demand, and for the full results of the sale click here (prices include buyer's premium and VAT).
OVER R2000 PER BOTTLE
Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (17%), Cabernet Franc (13%)
WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar
R45 000 (US$2587) paid for 12×750ml: R3750pb
Mullineux The Gris Old Vines Semillon 2023
WO Swartland, Winemaker Andrea Mullineux
R45 000 (US$2415) paid for 12×750ml: R3750pb
Leeu Passant Franschhoek Hillside Cabernet Franc 2022
WO Franschhoek, Winemaker Andrea Mullineux
R36 800 (US$2105) paid for 12×750ml: R3066pb
Boschkloof CWG Epilogue Syrah 2022
WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker Reenen Borman
R34 000 (US$1437) paid for 12×750ml: R2833pb
Lismore Valkyrie Chardonnay 2023
WO Greyton, Winemaker Samantha O'Keefe
R99 000 (US$5692) paid for 36×750ml: R2750pb
Savage Auction Syrah 2022
WO Coastal Region, Winemaker Duncan Savage
R63 250 (US$3618) paid for 24×750ml: R2635
Kanonkop CWG Pinotage 2021
WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar
R30 000 (US$1725) paid for 12×750ml: R2500pb
Lismore The Sheltering Sky Syrah 2022
WO Elgin, Winemaker Samantha O'Keefe
R28 750 (US$1610) paid for 12×750ml: R2395pb
Newton Johnson Sandford Chardonnay 2022
WO Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Winemaker Gordon Newton Johnson
R28 000 (US$1610) paid for 12×750ml: R2333pb
Raats Stella Nova Cabernet Franc 2020
WO Polkadraai Hills-Stellenbosch, Winemaker Bruwer Raats
R28 000 (US$1610) paid for 12×750ml: R2333pb
Le Riche CWG Auction Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker Christo le Riche
R27 600 (US$1579) paid for 12×750ml: R2300pb
David & Nadia Auction Chenin Blanc 2023
WO Swartland, Winemaker David Sadie
R26 000 (US$1495) paid for 12×750ml: R2166pb
De Trafford CWG Perspective 2022
Cabernet Franc (55%), Merlot (45%)
WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker David Trafford
R25 000 (US$1437) paid for 6×1.5L: R2083/750ml
Hartenberg CWG Auction Amphora Merlot 2021
WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker Carl Schultz
R24 000 (US$2380) paid for 12×750ml: R2000pb
Jordan CWG Sophia 2022
Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), Merlot (33%)
WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker Gary Jordan
R24 000 (US$1380) paid for 12×750ml: R2000pb
• Painting of Savage Auction Syrah 2020 inspired by “lifted floral notes, white pepper, black olive and fynbos”
• Painting of David & Nadia Grenache Noir 2021 inspired by “medium-red in colour, red berries, cherries and spicy”
• Painting of Ataraxia Under the Gavel Chardonnay 2020 inspired by “fruity intensity, mineral acidity, vibrant, almost spicy, alluring creamy notes, intensity of fruit, complex savoury, briny and flinty notes”
