NO COINCIDENCE! The Top 20 wines of the Swartland come from the Top 10 producers of Malmesbury, Riebeek and elsewhere in the district. Shiraz country, Chenin specialists and then some – those with the very best track records over the past 10 years according to the 2019 South African Wine & Cellar Classification. • For the full Swartland Wine Classification, click
Read moreNINETY of the wines reviewed in the 2019 edition of Platter’s South African Wine Guide by Diners Club have been rated as ‘South African Classics’, awarded Five Stars and scored 95 points or more on a 100-point scale. Of these, all assessed by a panel of tasters judging blind (labels out of sight), 25 were honoured as Wines of the
Read moreTOTAL SALES at the 2018 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction amounted to over R10-million for 2012 cases (6 x 750ml or equivalent), with the average prices of R5 265 per case and R878 per bottle exceeding what was achieved in 2017. The line-up of 48 wines included 31 reds, 14 whites, two Cap Classique sparkling wines and a Cape Port, with the red blend Kanonkop
Read moreTHE OLD VINE PROJECT has on record 10 vineyards in South Africa that are older than 100 years, however, with the odd exception, their locations, the names of the property owners and the wines made from them (if any) are strictly confidential. No doubt these are precious plants. Perish the thought that they might go up in smoke or be dug
Read moreWITH JUST weeks to go until the end of 2016, the spotlight shone on a few of the Cape’s top wineries and winemakers more brightly than usual. Shiraz/Chenin specialist Andrea Mullineux of Riebeek Kasteel in the Swartland, previously of California, was pronounced Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine in the USA. Nederburg of Paarl won the IWSC trophy for South African Wine Producer
Read moreAPART FROM the obvious, what were the highlights of the 2016 awards for top-rated reds, whites and sweets in the 2017 edition of Platter’s South African Wine Guide? For starters, with most of the year’s major panel tastings by local and international wine authorities behind us, the following beauties stand out among the leading contenders for SA Wine of the Year overall:
Read moreTOP SA SHIRAZ in 2013… The following wines achieved outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings around the world during the past 12 months: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN SHIRAZ RATINGS IN 2013 Asara 2010 – Gold Medal at Trophy Wine Show Boekenhoutskloof 2003 – 5 Stars in Christian Eedes Report Boekenhoutskloof 2011 – 4½ Stars in Platter’s Guide Boschendal Reserve Collection 2011 – Trophy at
Read moreTHERE ARE FEW surprises among the top-rated wines in Platter’s 2014 South African Wine Guide that goes onto the bookshelves this month. Most of the 5 Star laureates or their makers have good track records – the cellarmasters and/or winery owners are familiar faces at the various podiums, which is great for those who appreciate consistently high standards. And most of the
Read moreSYRAH, SHIRAZ, whatever you prefer to call it, here are the stand-out examples from South Africa in 2012, the top wines as reviewed by expert tasting panels around the world – and with more than a couple of accolades for Boschendal, Cederberg, Cirrus, Ernie Els, Fairview, Hartenberg, Mullineux and Saronsberg: Allée Bleue 2010 – gold medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition
Read moreBOEKENHOUTSKLOOF was judged Platter’s Winery of the Year in 2011/2012 and this year the title goes to Chamonix on the other side of the valley in Franschhoek. The award was presented at the launch of the 2013 edition of Platter’s South African Wine Guide where the names of the top-rated wines in the book were announced: Chamonix got thenod for
Read more
