Wednesday, 3 October, 2012
Cape Winemakers Guild
Of the 32 auction wines tasted this year by respected wine commentator Steve Tanzer of the authoritative International Wine Cellar, 24 wines broke the venerable 90 point barrier on the 100-point scale with two Pinotages amongst his highest scorers. Tanzer also welcomed the introduction of on-line bidding at the Guild auction this year, stating: “American wine lovers interested in picking up some scarce and excellent South African wines will find it easier than ever to participate.”
Tanzer’s top scoring wine on 93+ points is the Ernie Els CWG 2010 followed by Beyerskloof Trail Dust Pinotage 2010, and the Kanonkop CWG Pinotage 2010 both on 93 points.
“Intensely flavored and penetrating but at the same time fine-grained and suave, with mid-palate dark fruit flavors currently kept under wraps by the wine’s powerful underlying tannin/acid structure,” is how Tanzer describes the Ernie Els Cabernet/Shiraz/Merlot blend crafted by Guild Chairman, Louis Strydom. He is equally complimentary of the two top scoring Pinotages, referring to the Beyerskloof as a “very sexy wine” having a “softer and more approachable style” than the Kanonkop which he considers “a great expression of Pinotage.” Tanzer describes Abrie Beeslaar’s wine as “juicy and tightly wound, offering superb clarity and intensity to the dark berry and spice flavors.”
Other high scoring reds are the Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2009 (92+) and Cederberg Teen Die Hoog Shiraz 2010 (92). His highest scoring white wines, all on 92 points are Ataraxia Under The Gravel Chardonnay 2011 and the 2011 Cape Point Vineyards Auction Reserve White.
Tanzer did not retaste any of the wines on offer again this year from previous auctions.
The 28th Nedbank CWG Auction, conducted by Henré Hablutzel of Hofmeyr Mills Auctioneers for the 15th consecutive year, is open to the public and will be held at the Spier Conference Centre in the Stellenbosch Winelands from 09h00 on Saturday, 6 October 2012. Prospective buyers who are unable to attend the auction, can either register in advance and take advantage of the Guild’s telephonic and proxy bidding facilities, or register with
www.the-saleroom.com to bid online on the day.