Boschendal, one of the Cape’s leading heritage wineries with a history dating back to 1685, returned one of the best showings of any producer in this year’s Tim Atkin Report on South African wine with 11 of its wines receiving scores of 90pts and more in the 2021 Report. This is the ninth report on Cape wine by Tim Atkin, Master of Wine and one of the world’s leading critics who scrutinsed over 1 800 South African wines for this year’s document on the state of the local wine industry.
The exceptional showing by Boschendal showed three wines scoring 93pts (Suzanne White Blend 2019, Vin d’Or Noble Late Harvest and Elgin Pinot Noir 2018), four wines with 92pts (Crand Cuvée Brut MCC 2015, Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Cabernet Franc 2018, Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2020), one wine scored 91pts (Boschendal Brut Rosé) and three garnered 90pts (1685 Chardonnay 2020, 1685 Pinotage 2018 and Boschendal Brut MCC). All these 11 wines receive medals of excellence for wines scoring 90pts or more in the Tim Atkin Report.
Shirley van Wyk, marketing manager of Boschendal, refers to this year’s showing by Boschendal in the Tim Atkin Report as “remarkably rewarding”, underscoring this legendary Cape winery’s ability to show excellence and consistency in a diverse range of wines showcasing the amazing terroir variety of the Cape winelands.
“If there is one aspect that Boschendal is committed to delivering through our broad and varied wine offering, it is the focus on consistent premium quality,” says Van Wyk. “The Boschendal range represents a variety of cultivars made from grapes grown in the best terroirs for each varietal. But the underlying common denominator is that whatever goes into every bottle, has to meet the quality standard befitting the reputation for excellence Boschendal has been known for since it started making wine at the end of the 17th century,” she says.
The ream of 90pt-plus accolades covered the spread of Boschendal’s wines, from its Brut Cap Classique, which was first produced at Boschendal 40 years ago, to wines that only joined the Boschendal range this year. These include the Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 and the Suzanne 2019, a white blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
“These accolades are the result of values entrenched in Boschendal’s wine ethos over centuries, and today shared by the whole team,” says Van Wyk. “From Cellar Master and red wine winemaker Jacques Viljoen to Michael Langenhoven (white wine) and Danielle Coetsee (Cap Classique) and the team of DGB viticulturists, it is all about growing grapes and crafting wine worthy of being showcased under the Boschendal label. As one of South Africa’s leading and oldest names in wine, Boschendal has a responsibility to show the dynamism of the country’s wine offerings through this iconic brand.”
The annual Tim Atkin Report is deemed to be one of the most important vehicles communicating the standards of South African wine to the international wine world, and according to Van Wyk the report’s top-performing producers are annually introduced to a greater audience.
“In its nine years of consistent publication, the Tim Atkin Report has become a voice for promoting and communicating the general quality and class of South African wines to wine critics, buyers and individuals all over the world,” says Van Wyk. “It is thus a great honour for Boschendal to see a total of 11 wines singled out for exceptional quality by accruing 90pts and more, continuing and improving its legacy of and reputation as one of the leading names in Cape wine.”
