Top rankings from US wine critics for CWG Auction wines

James Molesworth, senior editor of Wine Spectator, gave 38 of the 50 auction wines tasted a score of 90 points or more on the magazine's 100-point scale. Steve Tanzer of the authoritative International Wine Cellar, scored 38 of the 48 wines tasted 90 points or higher. Both reviewed only new wines on auction this year and excluded Méthode Cap Classique, port and brandy from their tastings.

Molesworth's "standout" Guild auction wines this year are red blends from winemakers Abrie Beeslaar of Kanonkop, Louis Strydom of Ernie Els Wines and Coenie Snyman of Rust en Vrede. His top scoring wine on 94 points is the Kanonkop CWG Paul Saul Sauer 2010, followed by Ernie Els CWG 2011 and Rust en Vrede CWG Estate 2010 both on 93 points. Molesworth also felt that red and white Rhône varieties made a strong showing singling out both Adi Badenhorst's wines, the AA Badenhorst Family Wines White Grenache Vuilgoed 3 2012 with a score of 92 points and the AA Badenhorst Family Wines L.D.R. Shiraz 2011 on 91 points.

Tanzer described the 2013 Guild auction as, "A terrific buying opportunity for American wine lovers interested in picking up some scarce and excellent South African wines from some of the country's most talented winemakers." He awarded his top score of 93 points to the Ernie Els CWG 2011, David Nieuwoudt's Cederberg Teen die Hoog Shiraz 2011, and the AA Badenhorst Family Wines L.D.R. Shiraz 2011.

Scores

For more information, go to www.capewinemakersguild.com.