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 the authoritative 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 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction typically represents the cusp of winemaking trends in South Africa,” says Molesworth in his glowing review posted on Wine Spectator’s website entitled “46 Cutting-edge South African Wines”.
Molesworth singles out two De Trafford Auction wines, the Bordeaux-style blend, De Trafford Perspective 2008 (93 points) and De Trafford SijnnTouriga Nacional 2009 (92 points) as his favourites this year. Other stars amongst the reds are Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2008 (93 points) and two Louis Nel wines, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend, Rebel Rebel 2009 (93 points) and his Cabernet Sauvignon, Turtles All The Way Down 2009 (93 points). His top whites include Jordan Chardonnay Auction Reserve 2010 (93 points) and the “steely” Sauvignon Blanc, The Magus 2010 from John Loubser of Steenberg (92 points).
Tanzer’s top scoring wine on 94 points is the Ernie Els CWG 2009, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot blend, followed by Kevin Arnold’s Waterford Estate 2009 Auction Reserve BB on 93 points. Other high scoring reds on 92 points are 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, and Louis Nel’s Turtles All the Way Down 2009 and Rebel Rebel 2009. His highest scoring white wines, all on 92 points were Cape Point Vineyards Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Groot Constantia CWG White 2010, a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, Edgebaston Chardonnay “Tete du Ciel” 2009, Jordan Chardonnay Auction Reserve 2010, and Rijk’s CWG Chenin Blanc 2010. Pieter Ferreira’s Muscat de Frontignan, the Graham Beck Three Thousand and One Nights 2001, received 93 points.
In his review of the auction wines, Tanzer points out: “The recent strength in the U.S. dollar offers American wine lovers an even better opportunity to pick up some scarce and superb South African wines.”
Exceptional wines with a creative edge and great diversity of styles is the hallmark of the Guild’s 2011 auction selection entrusted to auctioneer Henré Hablutzel of Hofmeyr Mills Auctioneers for the 14th consecutive year.
Recognised as South Africa’s leading wine auction open to the wine trade and the general public with an annual turnover of around R4 million, the prestigious Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction features an impressive offering of 56 wines this year. All the wines are crafted exclusively for the Auction by members of the Guild to represent the pinnacle of what can be achieved in South African winemaking. This year’s auction wines, all poised to become rare collector’s items, include 38 red wines, 13 white wines, 2 Méthode Cap Classiques, a dessert wine, a port and a potstill brandy.
The 27th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction is open to the public and will be held at the Spier Conference Centre in the Stellenbosch Winelands on Saturday, 1 October 2011. Prospective buyers who are unable to attend the auction on the day, can register in advance with the CWG and take advantage of their telephonic and proxy bidding facilities.
