The wines for this year's Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction have received outstanding ratings with most breaking the 90 point barrier in two tastings held in New York recently.
Of the 46 auction wines tasted, leading wine commentator James Molesworth, senior editor of Wine Spectator, gave 37 a score of 90 points or better on the magazine's famous 100-point scale.
Another respected wine critic, Steve Tanzer of International Wine Cellar, who found the average level of quality of the wines higher than ever before, gave 34 of the 44 wines tasted 90 points or more in a similar tasting.
"From intriguing white wines to compelling reds and from offbeat varieties to traditional blends, the annual auction typically represents the cusp of winemaking trends in South Africa," says Molesworth in his review posted on the magazine's website, entitled "46 Cutting-edge South African Wines".
Wine Spectator choices
All rated at 93 points, Molesworth selects:
- De Trafford Perspective 2008
- De Trafford Sijnn Touriga Nacional 2009 (92 points)
- Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2008
- Louis Nel Rebel Rebel 2009
- Louis Nel Turtles All The Way Down 2009
- Jordan Chardonnay Auction Reserve 2010
International Wine Cellar selection
- Ernie Els CWG 2009 - 94 points
- Waterford Estate 2009 Auction Reserve BB - 93 points
- Pieter Ferreira's Muscat de Frontignan - 93
- Graham Beck Three Thousand and One Nights 2001 - 93
On 92 points:
- Bouchard Finlayson Pinot Noir 2009
- De Trafford Perspective 2008
- De Trafford Sijnn Touriga Nacional 2009
- Kanonkop CWG Pinotage 2009
- Kleine Zalze Granite Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
- Louis Nel Turtles All the Way Down 2009
- Louis Nel Rebel Rebel 2009
- Cape Point Vineyards Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2010
- Groot Constantia CWG White 2010
- Edgebaston Chardonnay "Tete du Ciel" 2009
- Jordan Chardonnay Auction Reserve 2010
- Rijk's CWG Chenin Blanc 2010
In his review, Tanzer points out, "The recent strength in the US dollar offers American wine lovers an even better opportunity to pick up some scarce and superb South African wines."
