The top wines for 2012 according to SAWi

Hamilton Russell Vineyards winemaker Hannes Storm (left) and Minister of Agriculture Gerhard van Rensburg (right)

The South African Wine Index, better known as SAWi (and pronounced as Savvy), yesterday released its top South African wines of the year. The awards, held at the luxurious Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa in Camps Bay, honoured Hamilton Russell Vineyards as the 2012 SAWi Wine Cellar of the Year.

Hannes Storm, Hamilton Russell winemaker, was awarded the 2012 SAWi Winemaker of the Year award and viticulturist, Johan Montgomery, received acknowledgement as the 2012 SAWi Viticulturist of the Year.  Together this dynamic duo, along with foreman Colin Jonkers and his team in the vineyards, also won the 2012 SAWi White Wine of the Year accolade with their Hamilton Russell Chardonnay. This cellar has for decades been renowned for its Pinot Noir, but our old faithful Pinot better watch out for his younger brother Chardonnay. We are sure owner Anthony Hamilton Russell is ecstatic with the awards presented to his team.

For the third time in a row, Rijks Private Cellar Pinotage received the 2012 SAWi Red Wine of the Year trophy, a mere fraction of a point ahead of Kanonkop Paul Sauer in second place.

The SAWi award system does not judge a wine or cultivar according to a single harvest result or at a single time. Rather, judging is based on the combined results of 44 different, multi-national wine competitions. Top 10 mentions and trophies are also taken into account during these calculations.

The SAWi awards are divided as follows:

• Platinum is the highest accolade given to wines scoring 95+, out of a possible 100.
• Grand Gold wines score between 93 and 94.
• Gold is given to wines scoring between 90 and 92.
• No Silver or Bronze is awarded, ensuring SAWi wines really are the cream of the crop.

Top Wines for 2012

Platinum

KWV Mentors Shiraz

KWV Jerepigo

Spier Creative Block Selection Rhone Blend

Rijks  Private Cellar Pinotage

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay

Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir

Kanonkop Paul Sauer

Lomond Snowbush Sauvignon Blanc

Ken Forrester FMC Chenin Blanc

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance

Saronsberg Full Circle Shiraz blend

Eagles’ Nest Shiraz

Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Shiraz

Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Grand Gold

KWV Mentors Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

KWV Orchestra

Spier Private Collection Sauvignon Blanc

Spier Private Collection Chenin Blanc

Spier Private Collection Chardonnay

Spier Creative Block Bordeaux Blend

Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir,

Kaaimansgat Crocodile’s Lair Chardonnay

Hannibal Sangiovese Blend

Cederberg Private Cellar Sauvignon Blanc,

Five Generations Chenin Blanc and

Cederberg Teen Die Hoog Shiraz

Rijks Private Cellar Chardonnay

Rijks Private Cellar Chenin Blanc

Kanonkop Pinotage

Lomond Syrah

Lomond Conebush Syrah

Gypsy Shiraz Grenache

Klein Constantia Marlbrook Bordeaux Blend

Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Semillon

Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Viognier blend

Saronsberg Shiraz

Uva Mira Single Vineyard Chardonnay

Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented Chardonnay

Diemersdal Pinotage

Warwick Trilogy Bordeaux Blend

Cape Chamonix Pinot Noir Reserve

Paul Cluver Chardonnay

Raka Biography Shiraz

Nitida Semillon

Meerlust Pinot Noir

Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Chardonnay

Stellenzicht Golden Triangle Cabernet Sauvignon

Top fortified wines

Grand Gold awards went to:

Merwida White Muscadel

De Krans Vintage Reserve

Cape Tawny Port

Neethlingshof Maria Riesling Noble Late Harvest

De Trafford Straw wine

Top brandies

South Africa’s brandies were at the top of their game.  Van Ryn’s 12 year old won Platinum and Van Ryn’s 20-year old took Grand Gold.  KWV won Platinum for their KWV 15-year old, as did Laborie Alambic, and KWV 20-year old received Grand Gold.

Wine Legend

Vriesenhof winemaker and old-Springbok rugby player, Jan ‘Boland’ Coetzee, was honoured as the 2012 SAWi Wine Legend of the Year.  He is a founding member of the Cape Winemakers Guild and a wine consultant for several wine cellars.  His contribution to the global profile of South African wines has made Coetzee a true pioneer in the South Africa Wine industry.

Most Awarded Cellars

KWV won an impressive seven awards, followed by Spier and Hamilton Russel Vineyards with five awards each.  Bouchard Finlayson, Cederberg, and Rijks each won four awards, while Kanonkop, Lomond, Ken Forrester, Klein Constantia, Fleur du Cap and Saronsberg were amongst the cellars that had received more than one award.

Rustenburg, La Motte, De Toren, De Trafford, Cape Point Vineyards, Eagle’s Nest, Ken Forrester, Paul Cluver, Uva Mira, Oak Valley and Warwick also received Top Cellar 2012 mentions.

South African Wine Index

Website: www.sawineindex.com

Email: ismit@mweb.co.za

Phone: +27 82 577 7037