High scores by top USA wine critics for 2013 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction wines
The 2013 lineup of rare and exclusive wines to go under the hammer at the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction at the Spier Conference Centre in Stellenbosch on Saturday, 5 October, has received outstanding ratings from two leading wine commentators in New York with the vast majority breaking the venerable 90 point barrier.
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 famous 100-point scale. Another respected wine critic in the USA, 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 who 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”, 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.
| Top scoring wines | Molesworth | Tanzer |
| Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2010 | 94 | 92 |
| Ernie Els CWG 2011 | 93 | 93 |
| Rust en Vrede CWG Estate 2010 | 93 | 91 |
| AA Badenhorst Family Wines L.D.R. Shiraz 2011 | 91 | 93 |
| Cederberg Teen die Hoog Shiraz 2011 | 92 | 93 |
| Luddite “Just Alice” Shiraz Mourvèdre 2010 | 92 | 92 |
| Neil Ellis Auction Reserve 2011 | 92 | 91 |
| Teddy Hall Eva (Krotoa) Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest 2012 | 92 | 91 |
| Hermanuspietersfontein Vloekskoot Sauvignon Blanc 2012 | 92 | 91 |
| Miles Mossop Wines Maximilian 2011 | 92 | 91 |
| Neil Ellis Auction Reserve Pinotage 2011 | 91 | 92 |
| Simonsig “The Russety One” Roussanne 2012 | 91 | 92 |
| AA Badenhorst Family Wines White Grenache Vuilgoed 3 2012 | 92 | 90 |
| Cape Point Vineyards Auction Reserve White 2012 | 92 | 90 |
| Etienne le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Auction Reserve 2010 | 92 | 90 |
| Edgebaston Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2011 | 90 | 92 |
| Rijk’s CWG Shiraz 2011 | 90 | 92 |
| Hartenberg Auction Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 | 92 | 89 |
| Spier Auction Reserve Frans K Smit 2010 | 92 | 89 |
| Saronsberg Die Erf Shiraz 2011 | 91 | 92 |
| Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Auction Reserve 2011 | 91 | 91 |
| Simonsig Heirloom Shiraz 2011 | 91 | 91 |
| Sijnn Syrah 2011 | 91 | 91 |
| Boschkloof Auction Reserve Syrah 2011 | 91 | 90 |
| Bouchard Finlayson Auction Reserve Estate Chardonnay 2012 | 91 | 90 |
| Saronsberg CWG Viognier 2011 | 91 | 90 |
| Rijk’s CWG Chenin Blanc 2012 | 91 | 90 |
| Tokara Tribute 2012 | 91 | 90 |
| Waterford Estate Chardonnay Auction Reserve 2011 | 91 | 90 |
| Beyerskloof Traildust Pinotage 2011 | 90 | 91 |
| Jordan Chardonnay Auction Reserve 2012 | 90 | 91 |
| John Loubser Thirteen 2011 | 90 | 91 |
| Ataraxia Under The Gavel Chardonnay 2012 | 91 | 89 |
| Paul Cluver The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2012 | 91 | 89 |
| The Drift We’re Here 2011 | 89 | 91 |
| Hartenberg Auction Reserve Shiraz 2010 | 90 | 90 |
| Vriesenhof Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 | 90 | 90 |
| Kaapzicht Cape Blend 2010 | 90 | 89 |
| Kleine Zalze 3 Expressions 2010 | 90 | 89 |
| Nitida Sauvignon Blanc Barrel Twenty Eight 2013 | 89 | 90 |
| Groot Constantia Auction Reserve Shiraz 2010 | 89 | 90 |
| De Grendel Wooded Sauvignon Blanc 2013 | 89 | 90 |
| Lanner Hill Double Barrel White 2012 | 90 | 88 |
| Paul Cluver CWG Pinot Noir 2011 | 88 | 90 |
| Teddy Hall Maria van Swaanswijk Auction Reserve Chardonnay 2012 | 88 | 90 |
For the full report from Steve Tanzer, please visit his International Wine Cellar page here: http://www.wineaccess.com/expert/tanzer.
James Molesworth's review can be found online on Wine Spectator: http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/48972.
The 29th Nedbank CWG Auction, conducted by Henré Hablutzel of Hofmeyr Mills Auctioneers for the 16th consecutive year, is open to the public and will be held at the Spier Conference Centre in the Stellenbosch Winelands from 09h00 on Saturday, 5 October 2013.
Prospective buyers who are unable to attend the auction, can either register in advance and take advantage of the Guild’s telephonic and proxy bidding facilities, or register with www.the-saleroom.com to bid online on the day.
For further details and to attend the Auction, visit www.capewinemakersguild.com or contact the Guild Office on Tel: 021 852 0408 or info@capewinemakersguild.com.