I had the pleasure of having a wine- infused conversation with a wine writer who has been in the business for over 20 years now. Mr. Wine writer went on to tell me how impressed he is with South African wines over the years and how South Africa’s wine production has grown by leaps and bounds and also how the wine quality has increased dramatically.
South Africa is currently ranked the 9th largest wine-producing nation by volume which must mean that it produces some top notch wines. I tasted quite a number of excellent wines so I would know. From tasting the crisp Sauvignons, to honeyed Chenin Blancs and Creamy chardonnays…they have quite a range of wines to offer even the most of sophisticated palates I must admit.
To help wine merchants, sommeliers and wine enthusiasts pick the best out of South African wines and help put them further up on the map of good wines, 12 expert Wine tasters from Diners Club Platter’s wine guide rated about 7,000 wines for this year’s edition and the winning wines were as follows:
WINE RATING SYSTEM
5 stars – Superlative. A classic
4.5 Stars – Outstanding
4 Stars – Excellent
3.5 Stars – Very good/promising
3 Stars – Characterful/ appealing
2.5 Stars – Good everyday drinking
2 Stars – Pleasant drinking
1.5 Stars – Casual quaffing
1 Star – Plain and Simple
0.5 Star – Very ordinary
No star – somewhat less than ordinary
*All Wines of the year received 5 stars
Winery of the year
Sadie Family Wines
5 Stars and Red wine of the year
*De Traffford Blueprint Syrah 2012
Cabernet Sauvignon
*Groot Constantia 2012
*Le Riche Reserve 2011
*Nederburg II Centuries 2010
*Oldenburg 2011
*Stark-Conde Three Pines 2012
Pinotage
*Flagstone Time Manner Place 2012
*Kanonkop Black Label 2012
Pinot Noir
*Creation Reserve 2013
*Crystallum Cuvee Cinema 2013
*NewtonJohnson Family Vineyards 2013
*Sumaridge 2012
Shiraz/Syrah
*Boekenhoustskloof 2012
*Boschendal Cecil John Reserve 2012
*De Trafford Blueprint 2012
*Fable 2012
*Porseleinberg 2012
Red Blends
*Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2012
*Ernie Els CWG Auction Reserve 2012
*Hartenberg The Mackenzie 2011
*Thelema Rabelais 2010
*Vilafonte Series C 2011
5 Stars and White Wine of the Year
-DeMorgenzon Reserve 2013
Chardonnay
-DeMorgenzon Reserve 2013
-Iona 2013
-Richard KershawElgin Clonal Selection 2013
-Sterhuis Barrel Selection 2012
Chenin Blanc
-Alheit Magnetic North Mountain Makstok 2013
-Fram 2013
-Kaapzicht The 1947 2013Sauvignon blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
-Buitenverwachting Husseys Vlei 2013
-Diners Club Bartho Eksteen CWG Auction Reserve Vloekskoot 2013
-Reyneke Reserve White 2013
White Blends
-Constantia Uitsig Constantia White 2013
-David & Nadia Sadie Aristargos 2013
-DeMorgenzon Maestro White 2013
-Flagstone Treaty Tree Reserve 2013
-Miles Mossop Saskia 2012
-Oak Valley Mountain Reserve White 2010
-Sadie Family Palladius 2012
-Sadie Family Skerpioen 2013
Brandy
-Boplaas Postsill 20 Years
-KWV 12 Year Old Barrel Select
-KWV 15 Year Old Alambic
-KWV20 Year Old
-Oude Meester Souverin
-Van Ryn 12 Year Distillers Reaerve
-Van Ryn 20 Year Collectors Reserve
-Van Ryn Au. Ra