Boplaas has enjoyed a bumper year having received prominent recognition at leading wine and spirit shows.
The record of achievements re-affirms the consistency of quality throughout the portfolio of this family-owned wine farm and distillery in the Klein Karoo village of Calitzdorp.
Port of kings
During the past 12 months, Boplaas Cape Port received two major accolades – one being from Tim Atkin MW and the other, from Platter’s South African wine guide.
Atkin rated the 2005 Boplaas Colheita Cape Tawny Port as best fortified wine in South Africa and awarded it a score of 96/100. Then, the 2023 edition of Platter’s, Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2020 received five stars and was also named Port of the Year. The wine follows in the footsteps of the 2017, 2018, 2019 vintages which also received five-star ratings.
Furthermore, the Boplaas Cape Wine Makers Guild 2005 Cape Tawny Port received the highest rating of all the Guild Auction Wines at this year’s CWG auction, from US-based Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. It sold for R1 473 per bottle.
Winning whisky
Boplaas 8 Year Old Virgin Cask Whisky was one of only two local whiskies to be awarded Double Platinum at the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards (MIWASA). It follows in the acclaim of the Boplaas 6 Year Old Tawny Cask Whisky, which was rated Best South African Whisky.
An especially proud moment this year for Nel scion and sixth-generation distiller, Daniel, was to share the stage with South African whisky legend Andy Watts. The pair hosted a masterclass at the Whisky Show.
Wine on the rise
Boplaas’s super-premium red wine – Gamka Red 2020 (Touriga Nacional, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tinta Barocca) – received a four-and-a-half stars in the Platter’s 2023 edition. It was also Top 10 at the Winemag.co.za tastings, scoring 93/100.
The Gamka Branca 2020 (Chardonnay, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Verdelho, Chenin Blanc, Roussanne and Sauvignon Blanc) also received four-and-a-half stars in the Platter’s guide.
Tops with Touriga
Boplaas winemaker Margaux Nel’s MSc dissertation focused on Touriga Nacional, which certainly helped in producing great results at recent shows. The Boplaas Touriga Nacional Family Reserve 2019 received four-and-a-half stars in Platter’s as well as Double Gold at MIWASA. The latter championship also bestowed Double Gold on the Boplaas Touriga Nacional 2021.
Other highlights
COMPETITION | WINE | AWARD |
NWC SA TOP 100 | Boplaas Gamka 2020 Boplaas Cape Tawny Colheita 2005 | Double PlatinumDouble Platinum |
Terrior | Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2019 | Area Winner |
MIWASA | Cape Tawny N/V | Double Gold |
Vitis Vinifera | WW Tinta Barocca 2021 | Gold |
Rosé Challenge | Boplaas Moscato Rose 2022Boplaas Cape Pink Gin | GoldGold |
Red Blends Challenge | Boplaas Ring Of Rocks 2018 | Gold |
Finally, Boplaas opened a new tasting room in Plettenberg Bay this year. Its full portfolio is available in the shop at the Old Nick Village as well as from the farm in Calitzdorp and its tasting room in Little Brak on the Garden Route. Orders can also be placed via its online shop at www.boplaas.co.za.