Though a notoriously difficult grape to work with, Pinot Noir is capable of making red wines of greatness when matched to the right site. It is at its most glorious in Burgundy, France but there are today impressive examples from Oregon in the USA, New Zealand’s South Island and increasingly South Africa. At the end of 2018, it was the 12th most planted variety locally making up 1.3% of the national vineyard.
This year, 35 entries were received from 24 producers and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by the three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale.
Op die Berg 2017 made from Ceres Plateau grapes by Charles Hopkins and team at De Grendel was judged best wine overall with a rating of 94 points on the 100-point scale and the cellar consequently won a new barrel of its choice from sponsor Tonnellerie Saint Martin.
There were a further two wines to rate 93 and four wines to rate 92, these together making up the so-called “Magnificent Seven”, which were as follows:
Creation Emma’s 2017 – 93
De Grendel Op die Berg 2017 – 94
Lothian Vineyards Vineyard Selection 2018 – 93
Meerlust 2017 – 92
Oak Valley Groenlandberg 2018 – 92
Paul Cluver Estate 2017 – 92
Shannon Rockview Ridge 2017 – 92
To read the report in full, including key findings, tasting notes for the top seven and scores on the 100-point quality scale for all wines entered, go Winemag.co.za.
Join the conversation and follow the action on twitter: #PinotNoirReport
