The just-released De Wetshof Limestone Hill, one of South Africa’s most popular unwooded Chardonnays, emphasises the reputation 2022 is garnering for being a top vintage for white wines in the Cape, especially Chardonnay.
Iconic Stellenbosch estate Neethlingshof has released the second vintage in its range of top-tier wines under the 1802 Collection label, named after the year in which this historic property’s first cellar was completed. Neethlingshof 1802 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 follows last year’s maiden launch of the 2017 vintage, which saw this new addition to the Neethlingshof range garnering further acclaim for one of Stellenbosch’s oldest and most respected wine brands.
A fresh and enticing Pinot Noir rosé reflects the quality of wines expected from the 2022 vintage on Chamonix Estate situated on the slopes of the Franschhoek mountains. This rosé, which has been just released to the market, is exclusively made from Pinot Noir grapes grown on the estate, which has built up a formidable reputation for the quality of Pinot Noir.
Top image: RJ Botha, left, cellarmaster of Kleine Zalze, with Jerome Passmore, Western Cape regional head of Investec.
Stellenbosch producer Kleine Zalze underscored its place among the top echelons of Chenin Blanc wineries by winning the Trophy for Best Museum Class Chenin Blanc at this year’s Trophy Wine Show. The awarded wine, Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2013, was made from grapes grown in old vineyards situated in Stellenbosch’s Faure region, the same vineyards responsible for Kleine Zalze’s current range of acclaimed Chenin Blanc wines.
Top image: Winemaker Andries Burger
Pioneering Elgin producer Paul Clüver Family Wines confirmed its reputation as one of South Africa’s leading Chardonnay producers by winning two trophies at this year’s prestigious Trophy Wine Show with the Paul Clüver Estate Chardonnay 2020. The wine not only took the Trophy for Best Chardonnay, but also for Best White Wine on this year’s Trophy Show, as decided by the esteemed panel of local and international judges.
The Journal Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, a wine in the premium offering of Diemersdal Estate in Durbanville, won one of only 28 Gold medals awarded in the South African section of this year’s International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC). This year’s judging of the IWSC’s Cape entries was done in South Africa, an ode to Johann Krige, co-owner of Kanonkop, who is this year’s IWSC chairman.
The international recognition of Chardonnay as a leading South African wine offering received another boost at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, with Paul Clüver from Elgin being one of two Cape Chardonnays to receive a Platinum award and 97pt score at a show described as the world’s most influential wine competition. Paul Clüver Estate, a pioneer of viticulture and winemaking in the cool-climate Elgin region, received a Platinum award for its revered icon Seven Flags Chardonnay 2020, one of only five South African wines to stake a claim in the Platinum category.
Top Image: Owner Paul Cluver with Cellarmaster Andries Burger
Paul Clüver Wines, the pioneering Elgin estate owned and managed by the Clüver family, was one of the leading performers at this year’s Top 100 SA Wines/National Wine Challenge, delivering four Top 100 & Double Platinum awards with three Grand Cru National Champion Awards for wines adjudged Best in their Class.
A Chenin Blanc wine made from a 56-year-old vineyard planted on the mountain vineyards of Chamonix Estate in Franschhoek achieved a 95pt Gold medal rating at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, one of the world’s most influential wine competitions. Chamonix Old Vine Steen 2021 led the way for the estate at this year’s Decanter Awards, which attracted over 18 200 entries from 54 countries.
De Wetshof’s Bateleur Chardonnay 2020, the flagship wine in the range from Chardonnay pioneering De Wetshof Estate in Robertson, is one of only five South African wines to receive Platinum status at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards. The estate’s Bateleur achieved a 97pt rating at this influential wine competition, while De Wetshof’s The Site Chardonnay 2019 garnered 94pts.
