High scores for Cape Winemakers Guild auction lineup in Wine Spectator
The 2007 lineup of the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction to be held in Somerset West on Saturday, 6 October, has excelled at a blind tasting by Wine Spectator in New York with 25 wines attaining the venerable score of 90 points or more in its infamous 100-point scale.
This definitive wine guide in the USA, pronounced the overall quality of the auction wines as excellent after putting 36 contenders from this year's lineup of 39 through its daunting blind tasting regimen. In his article on the CWG Auction entitled "A South African Secret" published in the latest Wine Spectator, James Molesworth, says the results are far higher than what his tastings of South Africa's commercial releases typically produce.
"I was particularly impressed with the density and concentration of the wines – not just of fruit, but also of soul. As a group, they seemed to be a very honest expression of both their winemakers and place of origin, and they really stood apart from the several previously rated commercial releases which were placed in the tasting as ringers (a typical practice in our blind tastings)," said Molesworth.
The CWG Auction wines that attained the highest Wine Spectator score of 93 were Marc Kent's Boekenhoutskloof Noble Late Harvest Semillon Auction Reserve 2006, David Nieuwoudt's Cederberg Teen Die Hoog Shiraz 2005, and Carl Schulz' Hartenberg Gravel Hill Shiraz 2004. Of the eight wines scoring 92 points, Molesworth singled out David Trafford's De Trafford Chenin Blanc 2003 and Kevin Grant's Ataraxia Chardonnay 2006 as examples of what was on offer at the auction.
The 2007 Auction lineup also stood up to international scrutiny at tastings in Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Holland and Hong Kong this month. In Hamburg, where around 100 importers, wine writers and sommeliers tasted the wines, one of Germany's respected sommeliers, Hendrik Thoma, had nothing but praise for the lineup from the Cape.
"Absolute high quality, amazing skill, and stunning quality," was how he described the wines. What stood out at the tasting in Hamburg was the balanced tannins and drinkability of the younger red wines without any trace of lack of ripeness or green notes.
Since its inception in 1985, the Nedbank CWG Auction has become a quality benchmark and the CWG label is an authentic assurance of quality recognised by leading wine buyers both locally and from abroad. Last year, the CWG Auction attained a record turnover of R3,62 million with foreign buyers making 24% of the total wine purchases.
Crafted specially for the auction by some of South Africa's finest winemakers, the wines on offer have been selected meticulously by members of the Guild to represent the pinnacle of what can be achieved in South African winemaking.
The bulk of the wines are available in lots ranging in size from 12 to 48 bottles, whilst the smaller mixed lots, an auction first to accommodate smaller buyers, wine clubs and enthusiasts, comprise eight special collections. Distinctly different from wines bottled under the members' own labels, the CWG Auction wines are selected at a blind tasting and only those showing technical excellence and maturation potential are chosen. This thorough process involving all 36 members of the Guild ensures that every wine boasting the CWG Auction label is a wine of exceptional quality.
The Nedbank CWG Auction is open to the public and will be held at NH The Lord Charles in Somerset West on Saturday, 6 October 2007. 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. For further details and to attend the Auction, visit www.capewinemakersguild.com or contact the Guild Office on Phone: 021 852 0408 or info@capewinemakersguild.com.
| Wine | Score | Price | | BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF Sémillon Franschhoek Noble Late Harvest Auction Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild 2006 | 93 | $NA / 375ml | | This shows great cut and clarity from the start, with racy quince, green fig and papaya flavors that give way to a superlong finish, with a lingering candied grapefruit peel note. Rich and long, but bright and lithe. Really fine. Drink now through 2015. —J.M. | | | | CEDERBERG Shiraz Cederberg Teen Die Hoog Cape Winemakers Guild 2005 | 93 | $NA | | An impressive core of blackberry and black currant fruit is layered with bittersweet cocoa and freshly roasted coffee bean notes, all of it offset by intriguing grilled herb and lavender hints. The finish is long and juicy. Impressive. A big step up from this winery's commercial releases. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink now through 2012. —J.M. | | | | HARTENBERG Shiraz Stellenbosch Gravel Hill Cape Winemakers Guild 2004 | 93 | $NA | | Racy and superdelicious, with a core of raspberry and boysenberry fruit carried by a terrific graphite and licorice underpinning. The long, vibrant finish lets the fruit linger while a mineral note chimes in. Drink now through 2013. —J.M. | | | | ATARAXIA MOUNTAIN Chardonnay Western Cape Cape Winemakers Guild 2006 | 92 | $NA | | Exotic up front, with mango, dried pineapple and fig flavors, turning taut and minerally, with a tangy persimmon note lingering on the long finish. Delicious. Drink now through 2008. —J.M. | | | | DE TRAFFORD Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch Cape Winemakers Guild 2003 | 92 | $NA | | Maturing wonderfully, with hints of buttered brioche and candied lemon peel melding into the chamomile, quince and pear notes. Then the long, minerally finish takes over, leaving a mouthwatering feel. Really opens up in the glass. Drink now through 2009. —J.M. | | | | ELIM Shiraz Elim Cape Winemakers Guild 2004 | 92 | $NA | | Very fleshy, with lots of rich dark plum, fig and black currant notes, layered with coffee, tar and licorice. This is powerful, but not heady or gushy, with a long, well-structured finish that shows hints of white pepper and mineral. A nice mix of New and Old World styles. Best from 2008 through 2013. —J.M. | | | | ENGELBRECHT-ELS Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2005 | 92 | $NA | | Very lush, with a core of nearly exotic raspberry ganache and boysenberry fruit, woven in with mocha, graphite, licorice and mineral notes. The long finish lets the fruit stretch out nicely. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot. Drink now through 2010. —J.M. | | | | FINLAYSON FAMILY Edgebaston G.S. Cape Winemakers Guild Paarl 2005 | 92 | $NA | | A well-built Cabernet, with black currant, tobacco and loam notes that are carried by broad-shouldered tannins. Concentrated and focused, with the finish showing grip and precision. Rather like a St.-Estephe. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2009. —J.M. | | | | LUDDITE Shiraz Western Cape Dos Años Cape Winemakers Guild 2004 | 92 | $NA | | Very juicy, with fruitcake, fig and date flavors backed by smoke and cocoa powder notes. Intriguing briar and mesquite notes chime in on the tangy, lengthy finish. This keeps bringing you back for more. Drink now through 2011. —J.M. | | | | RUDERA Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch Noble Late Harvest Auction Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild 2005 | 92 | $NA / 375ml | | A gorgeous nose of clove, blood orange and persimmon gives way to a rich, creamy palate full of green tea, maple-glazed pear and fig cake. Manages to stay fresh and elegant on the finish. Drink now through 2012. —J.M. | | | | THELEMA Shiraz Stellenbosch Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild 2005 | 92 | $NA | | This is muscular, with lots of dark plum and currant paste flavors layered with mocha and tar notes. Dark and winey through the finish, with ample but fine-grained structure and a lingering mineral hint. Drink now through 2012. —J.M. | | | | BOSCHKLOOF Shiraz Stellenbosch Auction Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild 2005 | 91 | $NA | | This is packed in for now, with currant and boysenberry fruit waiting to push through the bacony toast, tar and espresso notes. The long finish shows cocoa powder and tobacco notes, with supple but ample structure. Best from 2008 through 2012. —J.M. | | | | BOUCHARD FINLAYSON Pinot Noir Walker Bay Auction Reserve Unfiltered Cape Winemakers Guild 2005 | 91 | $NA | | Offers lovely perfume, with kirsch, cinnamon and sweet earth notes that glide across the palate. The long finish, filled with red fruit and flowers, is really fine-grained. Very suave. Drink now through 2009. —J.M. | | | | FLAGSTONE Chenin Blanc Western Cape The Glass Carriage Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild 2007 | 91 | $NA | | Nice white peach, honeysuckle, brioche and green almond notes run through this pure, crystalline white. The long finish has really nice definition, with the green almond note hanging on nicely. Contains 15 percent Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2008. —J.M. | | | | GLEN CARLOU Auction Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild Paarl 2005 | 91 | $NA / 1.5L | | Ripe and polished, with enticing blueberry and boysenberry fruit flavors held together by tangy red licorice, spice and toast notes. The long, juicy finish lets the fruit take an encore. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2009. —J.M. | | | | LOURENSFORD Limited Release Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2005 | 91 | $NA | | A ripe, juicy, modern style, with a racy core of raspberry and blackberry fruit pushing mocha and fig sauce notes, followed by a nice racy, graphite-filled finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Drink now through 2010. —J.M. | | | | LUDDITE Two for Listening Cape Winemakers Guild Western Cape 2005 | 91 | $NA | | Focused, with a juicy core of raspberry and blueberry fruit. Mint and bramble notes are held in check for now by fine-grained tannins and a long finish filled with toast and mineral. The Cabernet side seems to be holding the Syrah back for now, but this should be interesting to cellar. Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2008 through 2011. —J.M. | | | | OMNIA WINES Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch Kumkani Cradle Hill Cape Winemakers Guild 2005 | 91 | $NA | | Dark and juicy, with a nice bittersweet cocoa edge to the currant, black cherry, fig cake, tobacco and loam flavors. The briary finish brings you back for more. Drink now through 2009. —J.M. | | | | WARWICK Auction Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2005 | 91 | $NA | | A flashy style, with lots of fig, black tea, spice cake and mocha notes carried by creamy, well-rounded tannins, followed by a long, alluring finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Drink now through 2008. —J.M. | | | | WATERFORD Auction Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2004 | 91 | $NA | | An alluring, cool climate-style Cabernet, with sage and mint aromas giving way to a very supple palate of currant, plum, mocha and loam. Has a long, fine-grained finish. Shows lots of character. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot. Drink now through 2009. —J.M. | | | | BOPLAAS Vintage Port Calitzdorp Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild 2005 | 90 | $NA | | Shows lovely aromas and flavors of bramble, blueberry, date and fig cake, backed by a lingering note of sweet dark chocolate on the finish. Rich and chewy, but with a fresh underpinning, this should age nicely in the medium term. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barocca and Souzão. Best from 2008 through 2017. —J.M. | | | | NEIL ELLIS Auction Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2005 | 90 | $NA | | Nicely focused, with a beam of red and black currant fruit woven with grilled herb, tobacco and tar notes. A loamy edge checks in on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Drink now through 2009. —J.M. | | | | JORDAN Chardonnay Stellenbosch Auction Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild 2006 | 90 | $NA | | Plump and round, with lots of quince, pear and pineapple flavors, followed by hints of grilled hazelnut and butter. The fine acidity keeps this honest, with nice length on the finish. The U.S. commercial releases for this winery are under the Jardin label. Drink now. —J.M. | | | | KAAPZICHT Auction Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2005 | 90 | $NA | | Robust, with grilled meat, tobacco, tar and roasted chestnut notes, backed by a muscular, briary finish. Very gutsy. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Merlot. Drink now through 2009. —J.M. | | | | KAAPZICHT Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch Cape Winemakers Guild 2003 | 90 | $NA | | Rather mature, but holding together nicely, with loam, dried currant, plum sauce and cocoa powder notes backed by a long, fine-grained, cedary finish. If you like these with a little age, this is spot on now. Drink now. —J.M. | | | | CEDERBERG Sémillon Elim Cape Winemakers Guild 2007 | 89 | $NA | | Very tight at first, but this slowly unwinds in the glass to show a wild mix of pine, green fig and white asparagus notes, all backed by a bracing, mineral-driven finish. Needs more time to show its stuff. Best from 2008 through 2010. —J.M. | | | | FLAGSTONE Weather Girl Cape Winemakers Guild Elim 2006 | 89 | $NA | | Fresh-cut lime and honeydew flavors run through this floral- and mineral-tinged white, with a racy, flint-driven finish. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2008. —J.M. | | | | GRANGEHURST Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild 1995 | 89 | $NA | | This has matured nicely, with cedar, coffee, bittersweet cocoa, dried currant and loam notes that are still supple and integrated on the finish. Drink now. —J.M. | | | | HARTENBERG Merlot Stellenbosch Loam Hill Cape Winemakers Guild 2005 | 89 | $NA | | Rich, with a nice focused core of grilled herb, red currant, toast and tobacco notes. Has a lengthy finish, with the tobacco note lingering. Drink now through 2009. —J.M. | | | | JORDAN Sophia Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2005 | 89 | $NA | | An herb-driven style, with sage and tobacco notes leading the way for currant, coffee and cedar flavors, followed by a nice racy finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The U.S. commercial releases for this winery are under the Jardin label. Drink now through 2008. —J.M. | | | | PARADYSKLOOF Pinot Noir Stellenbosch Vriesenhof Cape Winemakers Guild 2005 | 89 | $NA | | On the rustic side, with sweet earth, mulled spice and corrupt black cherry notes, but there's good concentration to the flavors, and the texture is supple. Good length. Drink now through 2009. —J.M. | | | | PARADYSKLOOF Pinot Noir Stellenbosch Vriesenhof Cape Winemakers Guild 2003 | 89 | $NA | | Mature, but still lively, with alluring vanilla bean, cedar, red currant and sweet earth notes that all linger on the lengthy, sanguine finish. Drink now through 2008. —J.M. | | | | ETIENNE LE RICHE Auction Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2004 | 89 | $NA | | Briary tannins carry notes of sage, chestnut, cedar and coffee, with a tangy finish that lets a currant note chime in. For fans of the herb-driven style. Drink now through 2008. —J.M. | | | | VILLIERA Terre Rouge Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2005 | 89 | $NA | | Sweet, round and agreeable, with raspberry, vanilla and spice notes that carry through on the creamy finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2008. —J.M. | | | | GRAHAM BECK Brut Rosé Robertson Cape Winemakers Guild 2000 | 88 | $NA / 1.5L | | Rich and focused, with elegant cherry, floral and spice flavors backed by a fine mousse. There's a nice lingering hint of peach and orange peel on the finish. Drink now. —J.M. | | | | STEENBERG The White Savage Cape Winemakers Guild Constantia 2007 | 88 | $NA | | Grass and pine aromas give way to a tight, nervy palate, with lime, flint and sweet pea notes. Lengthy and focused. For fans of the lean style. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2008. —J.M. |
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