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    Platter's South Africa announces Pinnacle Award winners

    Platter's by Diners Club Wine Guide has revealed the recipients of the Wineries of the Year, Wines of the Year and Five Star Wines.
    Image supplied: Top Performing Winery of the Year went to Mullineux
    Image supplied: Top Performing Winery of the Year went to Mullineux

    This 43rd edition of South Africa’s favourite wine guide features well over 900 producers, merchants and brands, including 37 new ones, and over 8,000 locally produced wines, as well as brandies, husk spirits and sherry-style wines.

    A highlight of any new edition is the trio of prestigious Winery of the Year awards, the highest accolades bestowed by Platter's.

    The Top Performing Winery of the Year goes to the winery that achieves the most five-star ratings after the annual final tasting round. This year the worthy recipient is Mullineux, with an astonishing run of eight five-star results. This is the stellar Swartland-based venture’s fifth time as Platter’s highest achiever, having been the best-performing winery in 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2020.

    The Editor’s Award Winery of the Year recognises a winegrowing individual or team who, based on performance in the current edition as well as their track record, are ambassadors of par excellence for South African wine. This year the award goes to Cape Winemakers Guild member Duncan Savage and his Cape Town boutique winery Savage Wines. Last year Savage Wines achieved a remarkable seven five-star ratings. An amazing five such rankings this year, once again proving Duncan’s consistency as a trailblazer and undoubtedly one of the Cape’s foremost winemakers.

    Image supplied: The Editor’s Award Winery of the Year went to Duncan Savage
    Image supplied: The Editor’s Award Winery of the Year went to Duncan Savage

    The Newcomer Winery of the Year is awarded to the producer who debuts in Platter’s this year and achieves the highest scores. The well-deserved recipient of this distinction is Trade Winds Wine, owned by friends and long-time serious wine aficionados Martin Voigt and Richard Wells, with a brilliant five-star Cabernet Sauvignon blended by Colin Frith, an honorary Cape Wine Master and one of the most experienced men-about-the-winelands.

    Wines receiving the sought-after five-star rating in Platter’s must undergo a rigorous process of sighted and blind assessment (i.e. with and without sight of the label) by a team of experienced experts. Bottlings that are judged to be “Superlative, a South African classic” are given the highest ranking of five stars, equal to 95 points or better on the 100-point rating scale.

    With 28 five stars, Chenin Blanc continues its remarkable performance of recent years and, in a significant development, now not only equals the number of five-star Red Blends but also surpasses the White Blends category’s 21 maximum ratings.

    Image supplied: The Newcomer Winery of the Year went to Trade Winds Wine
    Image supplied: The Newcomer Winery of the Year went to Trade Winds Wine

    Together, however, the Blended class (Red and White) remains a powerhouse of quality, responsible for a quarter of all the five-star ratings.

    Another category building on an improved base is Chardonnay, adding three 95+ ratings to last year’s 19. Other strong performers are Shiraz/Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 16 and 12 wines respectively.

    “Another relatively recent development mirrored in the ratings is the release of minuscule special bottlings of an experimental nature, sometimes literally one barrel, intended to explore a particular grape variety, site and/or winegrowing technique, or sometimes simply express the winemakers’ personality or vision,” says Philip van Zyl, managing director and editor of Platter’s.

    Also noteworthy are the 291 Highly Recommended wines and brandies, which narrowly missed five stars but are nonetheless extremely fine and collectable, earning a rating of 94 on the 100-point scale.

    Wines of the Year

    CategoryWine
    Cabernet FrancMulderbosch Single Vineyard 2019
    Cabernet SauvignonLe Riche Reserve 2019
    CinsaultRall 2021
    Grenache NoirKruger Old Vines 2020
    MerlotLongridge Misterie 2017
    Petit VerdotBenguela Cove Vinography 2020
    PinotageKanonkop Black Label 2020
    Pinot NoirCap Maritime 2021
    Shiraz/SyrahPatatsfontein Sons of Sugarland Syrah 2021
    Red Blends, Cape BordeauxFleur du Cap Laszlo 2019
    Red Blends, with PinotageBeyerskloof Faith 2018
    Red Blends, Shiraz/Syrah-basedSadie Columella 2020
    Red Blends, OtherLeeu Passant Dry Red 2019
    ChardonnayHamilton Russell 2021
    Chenin blancMullineux CWG Trifecta 2020
    HárslevelüLemberg 2021
    Sauvignon BlancBartho Eksteen Houtskool 2021
    SemillonThorne & Daughters Paper Kite 2021
    White Blends, Cape BordeauxBenguela Cove Vinography Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc 2021
    White Blends, OtherSadie ‘T Voetpad 2021
    Cap ClassiqueAnthonij Rupert L’Ormarins Private Cuvée 2014
    Dessert Wine, FortifiedDe Krans Muscat Blanc 2022
    Natural SweetKlein Constantia Vin de Constance 2018
    Noble Late HarvestPaul Clüver Riesling 2021
    Vin de PailleMullineux Olerasay Straw Wine NV
    Port-styleBoplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2020

    Five Star Wines

    Cabernet Franc

    Botanica Big Flower 2020
    David Finlayson Camino Africana 2020
    Mulderbosch Single Vineyard 2019
    Warwick 2019

    Cabernet Sauvignon

    Bartinney Skyfall 2017
    Benguela Cove Vinography 2019
    Erika Obermeyer Erika O 2019
    Kanonkop 2018
    Le Riche Reserve 2019
    Miles Mossop Maximilian CWG 2019
    Nederburg Manor House 2019
    Restless River Main Road & Dignity 2019
    Reyneke Biodynamic Reserve 2019
    Rickety Bridge The Bridge 2020
    Stark-Condé Oude Nektar 2019
    Trade Winds 2019

    Cinsault

    Kleine Zalze Project Z 2021
    Leeu Passant Basson 2020
    Rall 2021
    Rickety Bridge Paulina’s Reserve Old Vine 2021

    Grenache Noir

    AA Badenhorst Raaigras 2021
    David & Nadia 2021
    Kruger Old Vines 2020
    Mischa Reserve 2021
    Momento 2020

    Merlot

    Longridge Misterie 2017

    Petit Verdot

    Benguela Cove Vinography 2020

    Pinotage

    Beeslaar 2020
    De Grendel Amandelboord 2020
    Diemersdal Prospect 2020
    Francois van Niekerk 2020
    illimis 2021
    Kaapzicht Steytler 2020
    Kanonkop Black Label 2020
    Survivor Reserve 2020

    Pinot Noir

    Bosman Hermanus 2021
    Cap Maritime 2021
    Creation The Art of Pinot Noir 2021
    Crystallum Bona Fide 2021
    Crystallum Cuvée Cinéma 2021
    Crystallum Mabalel 2021
    Kara-Tara Reserve 2020
    Oak Valley South Ridge PN667 2020
    Storm Vrede 2021

    Shiraz/Syrah

    Boschkloof Epilogue 2020
    De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2020
    De Grendel Op die Berg Syrah 2021
    Harry Hartman Somesay 2021
    Hartenberg The Stork 2019
    Keermont Topside Syrah 2017
    Mullineux Jakkalsfontein Granite Syrah 2020
    Mullineux Iron Kasteelsig Syrah 2020
    Mullineux Schist Roundstone Syrah 2020
    Mullineux Syrah 2020
    Patatsfontein Sons of Sugarland Syrah 2021
    Rall Ava Syrah 2021
    Savage CWG Syrah 2020
    Savage Girl Next Door 2021
    Savage Red 2020
    Wolf & Woman Syrah 2021

    Red Blends, Cape Bordeaux

    Allée Bleue L’Amour Toujours 2017
    Alto MPHS 2016
    Darling Cellars Sir Charles Darling 2019
    Fleur du Cap Laszlo 2019
    Glenelly Lady May 2018
    Hartenberg The Mackenzie 2017
    Jordan Cobblers Hill 2018
    Jordan Sophia 2017
    Keet First Verse 2019
    Marianne Desirade 2019
    Overgaauw Tria Corda 2019
    Stellenrust Timeless 2019
    Stony Brook The Max 2019
    Thelema Rabelais 2020
    Van Biljon Cinq 2018
    Vondeling Philosophie 2017
    Woolworths Cobblers Hill 2018

    Red Blends, with Pinotage

    Beyerskloof Faith 2018

    Red Blends, Shiraz/Syrah-based

    ArtiSons JJ Handmade Eight Pillars 2019
    Ellerman House The Ellerman 2020
    Sadie Columella 2020

    Red Blends, Other

    Blackwater Sophie Cabernet Franc-Cinsaut 2021
    De Trafford Elevation 393 2016
    Fairview Homtini 2019
    Leeu Passant Dry Red 2019
    Leopard’s Leap Pardus 2020
    Marianne Floréal 2019
    Van Wyk Rebecca May 2021

    Chardonnay

    Bartinney Hourglass 2020
    Capensis Fijnbosch 2018
    Creation Glenn’s Chardonnay 2021
    David Finlayson Shale Terraces 2021
    Delaire Graff Terraced Block 2021
    Draaiboek Onskuld 2021
    GlenWood Grand Duc 2020
    GlenWood Vigneron’s Selection 2021
    Hamilton Russell 2021
    Jordan Nine Yards 2021
    Leeu Passant Stellenbosch 2020
    Longridge Organic Clos du Ciel 2018
    Newton Johnson CWG Sandford 2020
    Oak Valley South Ridge CY95 2020
    Oak Valley Groenlandberg 2021
    Oldenburg 2021
    Richard Kershaw Elgin 2020
    Richard Kershaw Kogelberg Sandstone CY76 2020
    Richard Kershaw Lower Duivenhoks River 2020
    Storm Ridge 2021
    Tokara Reserve 2021
    Warwick The White Lady 2021

    Chenin Blanc

    Alheit Cartology 2021
    Alheit Fire by Night 2021
    Bellingham The Bernard Series 2021
    Bosman Family Optenhorst 2021
    Botanica Mary Delany Collection 2021
    Catherine Marshall Fermented in Clay 2021
    Cederberg Five Generations 2021
    David & Nadia 2021
    David & Nadia Plat’bos 2021
    David & Nadia Skaliekop 2021
    DeMorgenzon Reserve 2021
    Eenzaamheid 2020
    JC Wickens Swerwer 2021
    Kaapzicht Kliprug 2021
    Leeuwenkuil White 2020
    Metzer & Holfeld Montane 2021
    Mullineux CWG Trifecta 2020
    Mullineux Granite Eikelaan 2021
    Old Road Wine Company Stone Trail 2020
    Raats CWG The Fountain 2021
    Rall Ava 2021
    Sadie Mev. Kirsten 2021
    Sakkie Mouton Revenge Of The Crayfish 2021
    Savage Never Been Asked To Dance 2021
    Scions of Sinai Granietsteen 2021
    Stark-Condé Monk Stone 2021
    Stellenrust Old Bushvine 2021
    Wade Bales Breedekloof 2021

    Hárslevelü

    Lemberg 2021

    Sauvignon Blanc

    Anthonij Rupert Altima 2022
    Bartho Eksteen CWG Vloekskoot 2021
    Bartho Eksteen Houtskool 2021
    Cederberg David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Wild Ferment 2021
    Diemersdal The Journal 2021
    Diemersdal Wild Horseshoe 2021
    Marianne 2021
    Steenberg The Black Swan 2021
    Thorne & Daughters Snakes & Ladders 2021
    Trizanne Sondagskloof White 2021
    Vergelegen SV Schaapenberg 2020

    Semillon

    Anthonij Rupert Laing Groendruif 2021
    Black Elephant Vintners The Dark Side Of The Vine 2019
    Boekenhoutskloof 2020
    De Kleine Wijn Koöp Debutant White 2021
    De Kleine Wijn Koöp Road to Santiago 2021
    Gabriëlskloof Magdalena 2021
    Rickety Bridge The Pilgrimage 2020
    The Vineyard Party I’m Your Huckleberry 2019
    Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite 2021

    White Blends, Cape Bordeaux

    Benguela Cove Vinography Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc 2021
    Delaire Graff White Reserve 2020
    Morgenster White Reserve 2021
    Savage White 2021
    Wade Bales Constantia Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon 2021

    White Blends, Other

    Alheit Hemelrand Vine Garden 2021
    Beaumont New Baby 2021
    Bellingham Freda 2021
    Creation Viognier-Roussanne 2021
    David & Nadia Aristargos 2021
    Keermont Terrasse 2021
    Mullineux Old Vines White 2021
    Rall White 2021
    Sadie Skerpioen 2021
    Sadie Palladius 2020
    Sadie ‘T Voetpad 2021
    Stark-Condé The Field Blend 2021
    Tempel Kattemaai Chenin Blanc-Semillon 2021
    The Ahrens Family The WhiteBlack 2020
    The Grapesmith Die Kluisenaar 2019
    Vuurberg White 2021

    Cap Classique

    Anthonij Rupert L’Ormarins Blanc de Blancs 2017
    Anthonij Rupert L’Ormarins Private Cuvée 2014
    Colmant Absolu Zero Dosage NV
    Saltare Brut Rosé NV
    Silverthorn CWG Big Dog VIII 2017
    Silverthorn Jewel Box 2017

    Dessert Wine, Fortified

    De Krans Muscat Blanc 2022

    Natural Sweet

    Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2018

    Noble Late Harvest

    Delheim Edelspatz 2020
    Miles Mossop Kika 2021
    Paul Clüver Riesling 2021

    Vin de Paille

    Fairview La Beryl Blanc 2022
    Mullineux Olerasay Straw Wine NV
    Zevenwacht Vine Dried Muscat Blanc 2019

    Port-style

    Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2020
    KWV Cape Tawny NV

    Brandy

    Boplaas Potstill Reserve 20 Years
    KWV Centenary
    KWV Nexus
    KWV 20 Year Old
    KWV 15 Year Old Alambic
    KWV 12 Year Old Barrel Select
    KWV 10 Year Old Vintage
    Tokara XO Potstill
    Van Ryn 20 Year Old Potstill
    Van Ryn 15 Year Old Potstill
    Van Ryn 12 Year Old Potstill

    Husk Spirit

    Dalla Cia 10 Year Old Celebration Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot

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