Platter’s South African Wines 2011 Guide – 5 Stars wines

Platter’s South African Wines 2011 Guide – 5 Stars wines


South Africa’s favourite wine adviser, returns with info packed, Sustainability-themed, where more than 800 producers and brands were reviewed, including 58 newcomers and well over 6000 locally grown wines
The 2011 edition shows a record 58 wines being awarded five-star, including 10 by established producers with no previous five star awards, namely Delaire Graff Estate, Hermanuspietersfontein, Julien Schaal, Lammershoek Winery, Reyneke Wines, Shannon Vineyards, Stellenrust, Strandveld Wines, Topiary Wines and Zewenwacht and one newcomer to the guide, Botanica Wines.

Of the five-star awarded wines, the red and white which receives the most votes from the judging panel are named Platter’s Wines of the year.

2011 Red Wine of The Year is De Trafford Shiraz 2008, described as “pure hedonism” and promising outstanding development over the next decade whilst the White Wine of The Year is Fleur du Cap Bergkelder Selection Noble Late Harvest 2009, made from mainly Chenin Blanc and notes as “arresting”, with astounding balance of ripe fruit and crisp acidity.

In an ongoing focus on highlighting value for money, Platter’s tasters identify a number of entry level wines which are exceptionally drinkable and well priced and the Superquaffer of the year is Nederburg Lyric 2010, an off dry blend of Chenin, Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Nederburg Wines - 2011 Platter South African Wine Guide Winery of the Year

1 - Red Wine of The Year is De Trafford Stellenbosch Shiraz 2008

2 - White Wine of The Year is Fleur du Cap Bergkelder Selection Coastal
Region blend Noble Late Harvest 2009
Superquaffer of the year is Nederburg Western Cape blend Lyric 2010

The Five-Star for 2011 are:

Cabernet Sauvignon

3 - Boekenhoutskloof Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
4 - Delaire Graff Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2008
5 - Kanonkop Estate Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
6 - Klein Constantia Estate Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
7 - Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
8 - Le Riche CWG Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Auction Reserve 2007

Grenache Noir

9 - Neil Ellis Vineyard Selections Piekenierskloof Grenache 2008

Pinot Noir

10 - Meerlust Estate Stellenbosch Pinot Noir 2008
11 - Newton Johnson Domaine Upper Hemel en Aarde Valley Pinot Noir 2009

Pinotage

12 - Beyerskloof Stellenbosch Diesel Pinotage 2008

Shiraz

13 - Boschendal Cecil John Reserve Coastal Region Blend Shiraz 2008
14 - Eagle’s Nest Constantia Shiraz 2008
15 - Haskell Pillars Stellenbosch Shiraz 2008
16 - Rijk’s Private Cellar Tulbagh Shiraz 2005
17 - Saxenburg Select Limited Release Stellenbosch Shiraz 2006

Merlot

18 - Shannon Vineyards Mount Bullet Elgin Merlot 2008

Red Blends

19 - Ernie Els Signature Stellenbosch 2007
20 - Graham Beck Ad Honorem Robertson 2007
21 - Hartenberg Estate The Mackenzie Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot 2007
22 - Nederburg Ingenuity Red Western Cape Blend 2007
23 - Reyneke Reserve Red Stellenbosch (Biodynamic) 2008
24 - Spier Frans K.Smit Stellenbosch 2006
25 - Vergelegen Red Stellenbosch 2005

Chardonnay

26 - Groot Constantia Estate Gouverneurs Reserve Constantia Chardonnay 2009
27 - Julien Schaal Elgin Chardonnay 2009
28 - Mulderbosch Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2008
29 - Rustenberg Five Soldiers Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2008

Chenin Blanc

30 - Botanica Coastal Region Blend Chenin Blanc 2009
31 - Stellenrust “45” Barrel Fermented Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2009

Grenache Blanc

32 - The Foundry Coastal Region Blend Grenache Blanc 2009

Sauvignon Blanc

33 - Graham Beck Pheasant’s Run Coastal Region Blend Sauvignon Blanc 2010
34 - Klein Constantia Estate Perdeblokke Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2009
35 - Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Coastal Region Blend Sauvignon Blanc 2009
36 - The Berrio Elim Sauvignon Blanc 2009
37- Zewenwacht 360 degrees Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2009

White Blends

38 - Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh Cape Point 2009
39 - Hermanuspietersfontein Die Bartho Walker Bay 2009
40 - Lammershoek Roulette Blanc Swartland 2009
41 - Nederburg Ingenuity White Western Cape Blend 2009
42 - Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc-Chardonnay Western Cape Blend Private Bin D253
43 - Rall White Coastal Region Blend 2009
44 - Sadie Family Palladius Swartland 2009
45 - Steenberg Vineyards Magna Carta Constantia 2009
46 - Steenberg Vineyards CWG Auction Reserve Constantia The Magus 2009
47 - Strandveld Adamastor Elim 2009
48 - Tokara Director’s Reserve White Stellenbosch 2009

Methode Cap Classique Sparkling Wine

49 - Topiary Blanc de Blancs Brut Franschhoek 2008
50 - Villiera Monro Brut Stellenbosch 2005

Dessert Wine, Unfortified

51 - Fairview La Beryl Blanc Paarl 2009
52 - Klein Constantia Estate Vin de Constance Constantia 2006
53 - Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Noble Late Harvest Western Cape Blend 2009
54 - Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Paarl 2009

Port

55 - Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Calitzdorp 2008
56 - De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Calitzdorp 2008
57 - De Krans Cape Tawny Calitzdorp NV
58 - JP Bredell Cape Vintage Reserve Stellenbosch 2007

Tasters for 2011 Platter South African Wine Guide Edition:


Michael Fridjhon, Angela Lloyd, Master of Wine Cathy van Zyl, Cape Wine Masters Winnie Bowman, Greg de Bruyn, Tim James, Christine Rudman, Meryl Weaver & David Biggs, Miguel Chan, Christian Eedes, Higgo Jacobs, Fiona McDonald, Ingrid Motteux, Khuselo Mputa, Jorg Pfutzner, James Pietersen & Dave Swingler.