Wines of South Africa – The John Platter tasting

Wines of South Africa – The John Platter tasting Sauvignon Blanc Bewertung per Oktober 2009 im Wine Magazin Anlässlich der Resultate der Sauvignon Blanc Verkostung im Wine Magazin vom Oktober 2009 dürfen wir bei den vielen Topbewertungen mit vielen 5* und etlichen 4.5 und einer breiten Runde von 4* Weinen darauf schliessen, dass der 2009 Jahrgang in Südafrika bei den Weissen zum Besten der Dekade, wenn nicht sogar zum besten seit Menschengedenken gehört. Da sind wir einmal gespannt auf die Rotweine dieses Jahrganges. www.kapweine.ch Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 Published: 16 Oct 09 Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 The 2009 vintage is widely regarded as the best of the decade for Sauvignon Blanc, so it's hardly surprising that there were so many highscoring wines jostling for a Top 10 slot (no fewer than three with 5 Stars, 13 with 4? Stars and 33 with 4 Stars). The first obvious observation is how prominently Durbanville features, with De Grendel, Durbanville Hills, Nitida and Havana Hills enjoying the famously cool conditions - and particularly in 2009, when a wet winter was followed by an unusually chilly ripening period. Interesting, too, that Stellenbosch estate Delaire has a splash of Durbanville fruit in its blend, while Paarl outfit Nederburg's Manor House has a small amount of Durbanville Semillon: "The best we have ever received at the cellar," according to winemaker Tariro Masayiti. Darling fruit also remains highly sought-after, and with good reason if the Graham Beck Pheasants' Run and Fleur du Cap Unfiltered are anything to go by. The Pheasants' Run 2008 was also a top-tenner last year, making a strong case for the ageability of certain Sauvignons, while the 5-Star 2009 promises great things too. A Rawsonville wine also makes the cut this year, the Avondrood Reserve coming from mountain vineyards in a district often regarded as being too warm. Which raises the question: what happened to Elgin this year? THE TOP 10 (in order of ascending price) ? ? ? ? ? five stars Havana Hills 2009* APPROXIMATE RETAIL PRICE R50 Alc 11.02% RS 5g/l TA 7.5g/l pH 3.42 Pale yellow-green. Dusty, herbaceous nose. Juicy lime fruit, bright acidity. Clean, pure and focused. Drink now or over the next 2 years. CE 18 CR 18 JP 18 CA 18 SvW 19 Delaire 2009* CELLAR PRICE R75 Alc 13% RS 3g/l TA 6.5g/l pH 3.37 Pale. Herbaceous and musky aromas on the nose. The palate has good weight and texture balanced by vibrant acidity. Layers of flavour from citrus to tropical fruit. Crisp, clean finish. Drink now or over the next 2 years. CE 16 CR 18 JP 18 CA 18.5 SvW 19 Graham Beck Pheasants' Run 2009* CELLAR PRICE R99 Alc 14.34% RS 2.61g/l TA 7.1g/l pH 3.59 Pale yellow-green. Herbaceous, dusty nose. Excellent fruit expression and fresh acidity make for a sumptuous palate. Intense lime flavour, very long finish. Drink now or over the next 2 years. CE 19 CR 18 JP 17 CA 17 SvW 19 ? ? ? ? ? four and a half stars Avondrood Ancient Mountain Reserve 2009 CELLAR PRICE R45 Alc 11.51% RS 4.5g/l TA 8.9g/l pH 3.35 Pale. Ripe citrus and slight mercaptan character on the nose. Expressive palate with lemon, grapefruit and pineapple flavours. Tangy acidity and riveting intensity. Drink now. CE 16 CR 18 JP 16.5 CA 17.5 SvW 18 De Grendel Koetshuis 2009* CELLAR PRICE R80 Alc 14.24% RS 2g/l TA 8.2g/l pH 3.32 Bright yellow-green. Dusty on the nose. The palate shows juicy, optimally ripe fruit and mouth-watering acidity. Lime and white pepper flavours. Drink now or over the next 2 years. CE 18 CR 17 JP 17.5 CA 16 SvW 18.5 Nederburg Manor House 2009 CELLAR PRICE R90 Alc 13.44% RS 1.63g/l TA 6.65g/l pH 3.41 Pale yellow. Gooseberries and lime throughout. Racy acidity gives focus and length. Lots of flavour intensity and long, dry finish. Drink now or over the next 2 years. CE 16 CR 18 JP 17.5 CA 18.5 SvW 16 Durbanville Hills Biesjes Craal 2009 CELLAR PRICE R 98 Alc 13.59% RS 2.1g/l TA 6.3g/l pH 3.36 Pale. Herbaceous, dusty nose. Lean and pithy palate making for a wine of elegance. Flavours of lime and gooseberries. Vibrant acidity. Long finish. Drink now or over the next 2 years. CE 18 CR 16 JP 18 CA 17.5 SvW 17 Graham Beck Pheasants' Run 2008* CELLAR PRICE R99 Alc 14.07% RS 2.37g/l TA 7.1g/l pH 3.44 Pale with green tinge. Herbaceous nose with a hint of asparagus and tinned peas. Full flavoured on the palate with relatively soft acidity. Never-ending tail. Drink now or over the next year. CE 17 CR 17 JP 16.5 CA 17 SvW 18.5 Nitida Club Select 2009* CELLAR PRICE R115 Alc 13.5% RS 2.2g/l TA 6.1g/l pH 3.50 Very pale. Hint of musky mercaptan on the otherwise shy nose. The palate is juicy, clean and fresh. Good palate weight and depth of flavour. Drink now or over the next 2 years. CE 17 CR 16 JP 18 CA 17.5 SvW 18.5 Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Limited Release 2009* APPRO XIMATE RE TAIL PRICE R120 Alc 14.04% RS 1.7g/l TA 6.88g/l pH 3.36 Pale. Dusty on the nose. Austere and lean on the palate with lime fruit and bright acidity. Well balanced and elegant with a persistent finish. Drink now or over the next 2 years. CE 17 CR 19 JP 17 CA 16.5 SvW 16 ALSO FOUR AND A HALF STARS Onyx 2009 DARLING CELLAR PRICE R54 Alc 13.77% RS 2.1g/l TA 7.03g/l pH 3.44 Yellow-green. Grass, nettles and limes on both palate and nose. Intensely flavoured with tangy acidity. Some phenolic grip. Drink now or over the next year. CE 15 CR 17 JP 18 CA 18 SvW 16 Villiera Traditional Bush Vine 2009 CELLAR PRICE R65 Alc 12.6g/l RS 1.85g/l TA 6.7g/l pH 3.45 Pale. Complex nose showing some dustiness through fynbos to lime. Lean and focused on the palate with a long, dry finish. Drink now or over the next 2 years. CE 17.5 CR 18 JP 17.5 CA 15.5 SvW 17 Hillcrest 2008* CELLAR PRICE R65 Alc 12.8% RS 1.4g/l TA 6.9g/l pH 3.62 Deep yellow-green. Asparagus, green melon and honey throughout. Rich with relatively soft acidity on the palate. Shows pleasing development. Drink now or over the next year. CE 17 CR 16 JP 17.5 CA 16 SvW 19 Anura Reserve 2009 CELLAR PRICE R70 Alc 14.7% RS 1.7g/l TA 7.2 pH 3.55 Pale. A pungent nose showing herbaceous notes, green pea and asparagus. A generous palate with great fruit expression and fresh acidity. Drink now or over the next 2 years. CE 18 CR 17 JP 14.5 CA 17 SvW 18.5 Rietvallei Limited Edition Special Select 2009* CELLAR PRICE R71 Alc 14.04% RS 3.1g/l TA 8.6g/l pH 2.91 Luminous yellow-green. The nose is complex with herbaceous notes as well as ripe fruit and a slight sweaty mercaptan note. Rich and succulent on the palate with mouthwatering acidity. Drink now or over the next 2 years. CE 18 CR 17 JP 16 CA 17 SvW 16 Constantia Uitsig 2008* CELLAR PRICE R85 Alc 12.5% RS 2.3g/l TA 7.5g/l pH 3.2 Yellow-green. Forthcoming nose of citrus blossom, lime and asparagus. Juicy, rich and full on the palate but balanced by fresh acidity - made in an extravagant style. Drink now or over the next year. CE 17 CR 17 JP 15 CA 17 SvW 18 ? ? ? ? four stars Lutzville R25.99 Cape Diamond Vineyards 2009* McGregor 2009* R26.50 Cape Atlantic 2009* (Cederberg) R30 Bergsig Woolworths What! 2009* R35.50 Conradie Family 2009 R38 Galleon 2009* R45 Boland Private Cellar 2009 R46 Signatures of Doolhof 2009* R50 Meerendal 2009 R55 Ken Forrester 2009* R59 Thelema 2009* R60 Backsberg R65.50 John Martin Reserve 2009* Hermanuspietersfontein No 7 2009* R69 Graham Beck 2008* R69 Sir Lambert 2009 (Diemersdal) R71 Rietvallei R71 Limited Edition Special Select 2008* Diemersdal Single Vineyard 2009 R75 Uva Mira Cellar Selection 2009* R75 Flagstone Free Run 2009* R78.50 (Constellatia Wines SA) Cederberg 2009* R80 Tokara Elgin 2008* R80 Buitenverwachting Husseys Vlei 2009 R85 Boschendal Reserve Collection 2007 R90 Groote Post R90 Woolworths Reserve 2009 ARP Rijks 2007 R90 Domaine des Dieux 2007 R90 Ormonde 2008 R90 Fleur du Cap Unfiltered 2008* R92 (Bergkelder) ARP Diemersdal 8 Rows 2009 R102 Fleur du Cap Unfiltered R120 Limited Release 2008 (Bergkelder) ARP Diemersdal MM Louw 2009 R125 David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner 2009* R140 (Cederberg) Steenberg Reserve 2009 R180 ? ? ? ? three and a half stars Du Toitskloof 2009* R28 Diemersdal Matys 2009* R32 Van Loveren 2009* R32 Simonsvlei Premier Selection 2009* R34.99 Ridgemor 2009 R35 Alexanderfontein 2009* (Ormonde) R35 Bergsig 2009* R35.50 Under Oaks Limited Release 2009* R41 Rietvallei 2009* R42 Usana 2009 R43 Neethlingshof 2009* ARP R44 Wildekrans 2009* R45 Avondrood R45 Ancient Mountain Reserve 2008 Eikendal 2008* R48.50 Cape Hutton 2008* R49 Neethlingshof R50 Special Release 2009 ARP Villiera 2009* R50 Le Bonheur 2009 ARP R50.40 Nelson 2009* R54 Kumkani 2009* (the company of wine people) R54 Klein Constantia KC 2009* R55 Lomond 2009* (Bergkelder) ARP R55.31 Elgin Heights 2008* R57 De Wetshof 2009 R59 Rickety Bridge 2009* R60 Zonnebloem R64 Limited Edition 2009 (Bergkelder) ARP Paul Cluver 2008* R65 Hartenberg 2008* R67 Bartinney 2009 R70 Kings Kloof R70 Family Reserve Single Vineyard 2008* Quoin Rock Cape Agulhas 2009 R70 Nitida 2009* R72 Durbanville Hills R75 Rhinofields Inner Valley 2009 Nitida R75 Woolworths Limited Release 2009 ARP Oak Valley 2008* R75 Rickety Bridge Paulina's Reserve 2008* R75 Spier Private Collection 2009* R75 Circumstance 2008 (Waterkloof) R78 Southern Right 2009 R79 Lourensford R80 Winemaker's Selection 2009 Stony Brook "Heart of the Lees" 2008 R85 Grande Provence 2009* R90 Boschendal Reserve Collection 2008* R90 Fleur du Cap R92 Unfiltered 2009* (Bergkelder) ARP Durbanville Hills Biesjes Craal 2008 R98 Kumkani Lanner Hill 2008 R99 (the company of wine people) Fryer's Cove Bamboesbay 2009 R100 Lomond Pincushion 2007* R102.66 (Bergkelder) ARP Lomond Sugarbush 2009* R102.66 (Bergkelder) ARP Cape Point 2008 R117 ? ? ? three stars Stellar Organics 2009* R25 Welmoed 2009* (the company of wine people) R27 Edenhof 2009* (Schalkenbosch) R28.50 Landskroon 2009* R30 Perdeberg Reserve 2009 R33 Fortress Hill 2008* (Fort Simon) R34 Spier 2009* R35 Bergwater 2009* R35 Douglas Green R35.99 Vineyard Creations 2009 (DGB) ARP Boland Five Climates 2009* R37 Lutzville R37.99 The Diamond Collection 2009* Kaapzicht 2009* R38 Viljoensdrift River Grandeur 2009* R39.50 Porcupine Ridge 2009* (Boekenhoutskloof) R40 Rietvallei 2008* R42 Arniston Bay Reserve 2009* R43 (the company of wine people) Diemersdal 2009* R43 Goede Hoop 2008 R43 Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection 2009* R45 Le Pommier 2009* R45 Iona Sophie Te'blanche 2009* R45 Eikendal 2009* R48.50 Barton 2009* R49 Simonsig Sunbird 2009* R49 Herold 2008* R50 Miravel 2009* R50 Nederburg FIFA Twenty10 2009* R50 Skilpadvlei 2009* R50 Tokara Zondernaam 2008* R50 Virgin Earth 2008* ARP R50 Uitkyk 2009 ARP R50.80 Zevenwacht 2009* R53 Maastricht 2009* R55 South Hill The Vineyards 2008* R55 Sterhuis 2007 R55 Tierhoek 2008 R56.25 La Motte 2009* R57 Dornier Cocoa Hill 2009* R60 Sumaridge 2008 R60 Elgin Heights 2009* R63 Neil Ellis Groenekloof 2009* R65 Buitenverwachting 2009 R65 La Vierge Temptation 2009 R65 Lady Anne Barnard 2009 R68 (African Pride) ARP Marianne Cuvée L'escapade 2009* R68 Clos Malverne 2009 R69.99 Zevenwacht 360? 2008* R72 Durbanville Hills Rhinofields 2009 R75 Fryer's Cove Bay to Bay 2009 R75 La Vierge 2008 R75 Sumaridge 2009 R75 Jordan Barrel Fermented 2008* R75.50 Hermanuspietersfontein No 3 2009* R79 Creation 2009 R79.50 Reyneke 2008 R80 Cape Point Vineyards Stonehaven 2009 R80 Vergelegen 2009* R82 Waterford 2009 R85 Cape Point Vineyards R89.95 Woolworths Limited Release 2009 ARP Groote Post Reserve 2009 R90 Iona 2009* R90 Klein Constantia 2009* R95 Lomond Pincushion 2009* R102.66 (Bergkelder) ARP Groot Constantia 2009 R105 Hermanuspietersfontein No 5 2008* R119 Packwood 2009 R140 Vergelegen Reserve 2009 R159 Reyneke Reserve 2008 R160