FROM THE VALLEY to the upper slopes and over the ridge, wonderful views left, right and centre… The Hemel-en-Aarde wards outside Hermanus in the district of Walker Bay account for six of South Africa’s Top 10 Pinot Noir – two of the others originating in Elgin (Paul Cluver Seven Flags and Oak Valley), one in Franschhoek (Chamonix Reserve) and one in Stellenbosch
Read moreAT THE 2015 Global Pinot Noir Masters staged by The Drinks Business in the UK, Bouchard Finlayson’s Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak 2012 from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley outside Hermanus and David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner 2013 from the Cederberg Private Cellar won gold medals, with silvers going to the 2013 Galpin Peak, Finlayson’s neighbour Hamilton Russell for their 2013 vintage, Domaine
Read moreASK ABOUT top SA Pinot Noir and the main signposts point to Elgin, Walker Bay, Hemel-en-Aarde… There are exceptions – chief among them Chamonix of Franschhoek – but typically it’s a case of Hamilton Russell, Bouchard Finlayson, Newton Johnson, Sumaridge, Oak Valley, Paul Cluver, Crystallum, Shannon… However, there’s now another cool-climate district putting up its hand, so to speak. The
Read moreALL OF THE South African wines below are included in the latest SA Pinot Noir Classification, with those having the very best track records highlighted and the listing limited to wines whose accolades include very good reviews in 2013/14. Prices are for the latest releases/vintages to be rated – rands per standard 750ml bottle and ex-cellar in most instances (approximate retail prices
Read moreSOUTH AFRICA’S 2014 Wine & Cellar Classifications on the basis of the best track records in 25 local and international blind-tasting forums over the past 10 years have just been released. To be eligible for Classification, a wine must have been made and bottled in South Africa and must have earned very good reviews by at least one of the
Read moreTOP SA PINOT NOIR in 2013… The following wines achieved outstanding reviews from top panels judging ‘blind’: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN PINOT NOIR RATINGS IN 2013 Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak 2011 – 4½ Stars in Platter’s Guide Chamonix Reserve 2011 – Trophy at Classic Wine Trophy Competition Chamonix Reserve 2012 – Double Gold Medal at Six Nations Wine Challenge, 4½ Stars in Platter’s
Read moreTHE MURATIE Wine Estate has become a favourite stop-over off the R44 along the Simonsberg stretch of the Stellenbosch Wine Route, particularly since the Melck family stepped up a gear hospitality wise by offering meals from their Cellar Kitchen – either outdoors in the courtyard under oak trees or inside where ‘The Longroom’ and ‘Die Gat’ double as an art gallery with fireplaces, oak
Read moreTHE STAND-OUT Pinot Noir from South Africa, the best reviews from around the world – and as per usual there’s only a very select group of cellars in the Cape that can muster something very special from this ‘heartbreak’ grape: Bouchard Finlayson Tete de Cuvee Galpin Peak 2009 – gold medal at Five Nations Challenge Chamonix Reserve 2010 – trophy at Decanter
Read moreYES THERE’S MORE to the quality and character of a wine than the winemaker; naturally the location and condition of the vines, the soil, the climate, the weather and everything else associated with the ‘terroir’ play important roles. However, what a difference the cellarmaster and his team can make! Of course there were exceptions, but before Gottfried Mocke took charge
Read moreTHE COGNOSCENTI are curious about Spioenkop Wines for a number of reasons – not the least of which is the free-spirited nature of owner-cellarmaster Koen Roose. To meet this Belgian newcomer to the Elgin wine scene is to engage with somebody who’s obviously passionate about making seriously good, characterful wine on his hilltop in the Elgin valley – so passionate
Read moreOVER THE past 10 years, six wineries stand out as the producers with the best track records when it comes to South Africa’s top quality Pinot Noir: Hamilton Russell, Bouchard Finlayson, Sumaridge (all in the Hemel-en-Aarde area outside Hermanus), Chamonix (Franschhoek), Meerlust (Stellenbosch) and Paul Cluver (Elgin). Over the past 18 months, however, three Pinot producers have been winning most
Read more
