The 2024 CWG Auction wines rated: 95+
By Christian Eedes, 25 September 2024
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The 40th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Auction is set to be held on Friday 4 October and Saturday 6 October 2023 at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West – register here. This year’s auction sees a total of 48 wines from 35 guild members on offer – I tasted the line-up sighted, those ratings 95-plus as follows:
White
96
Paul Clüver The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2023 – Andries Burger
Grapes from a vineyard planted in 1987. Orchard blossom precedes citrus, nuts and a hint of leesy complexity. The palate possesses dense, sweet fruit matched by crisp acidity, the finish dry. The oak regime/elevage exceptionally well handled. Wonderfully harmonious, this manages to be rich but equally vital and makes for riveting drinking. Alc: 12.82%.
Red
96
Kanonkop CWG Pinotage 2021 – Abrie Beeslaar
Red and black cherry, cassis, plum, floral fragrance, vanilla and oak spice on the nose. The palate is full bodied and yet still retains clarity and drive. Succulent fruit, bright acidity and fine tannins, the finish long and dry. Alc: 14.39%.
96
Lismore The Sheltering Sky Syrah 2022 – Samantha O’Keefe
From an Elgin vineyard on iron-rich soils. 100% whole-bunch fermentation. Seductive aromatics of red and black berries, pomegranate, potpourri, fynbos and raw meat on the nose. The palate is concentrated yet weightless – pure fruit, bright acidity and chalky tannins. A beautifully balanced wine that moves quickly and easily across the mouth.
Cap Classique
95
Graham Beck CWG Extra Brut Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2019 – Pieter Ferreira
85% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir. 15% of the Chardonnay fermented in neutral oak. Complex aromatics of citrus, red apple, a hint of brioche and a touch of reduction. The palate shows concentrated fruit, bright acidity, a fine mousse, the finish long and dry. Great focus and drive, a bubbly that’s neither too lean nor too autolytic. Alc: 12.01%.
White
95
Beaumont Family Wines GG’s Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2023 – Sebastian Beaumont
Planted in 1974, this is the oldest Chenin vineyard on the farm, the name acknowledging previous owners Govender and Geffen. Lemon, yellow apple, peach, some yeasty complexity and earth on the nose while the palate is extra-concentrated with tangy acidity and a savoury finish. Layered and long. Alc: 12.66%.
95
Grapes from three certified heritage sites with plantings ranging from 1968 to 1985. Fermented and and matured for 11 months in neutral barrels. Citrus, peach, fynbos, some earthiness and a hint of reduction on the nose. Great fruit concentration, crisp acidity and a dry finish. More power than the alcohol of 12.39% might suggest. Seamless, taut and long.
95
Mullineux Swartland “The Gris” Old Vines Sémillon 2023 – Andrea Mullineux
Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyards planted in 1960. Peach, nectarine, soft citrus, earth and some yeasty complexity on the nose. The palate shows dense fruit, punchy acidity and a savoury finish. All of apiece with great depth of flavour. Alc: 13.31%.
Red
95
Boschkloof CWG Epilogue Syrah 2022 – Reenen Borman
35% whole-bunch fermented and aged in concrete. 65% destemmed and aged in a single second-fill barrel. Red and black berries, flowers, fynbos, fennel, vanilla and spice on the nose. The palate is rich and smooth textured, bordering on luscious. The flavours are intense and reverberating. Alc: 13.8%.
95
Delaire Graff Banghoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – Morné Vrey
Grapes from a 27-year-old virus-free block. Alc: 14.67%.
From a 22-year-old virus free block. Black berries, violets, fynbos. Oystershell and pencil shavings on the nose. The palate is rich, round and smooth textured but not short of freshness. A seamless wine with fine, silky tannins, the finish gently savoury.
95
Ernie Els CWG 2021 – Louis Strydom
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Shiraz, 10% Cinsault. Aromatics of red and black berries, fynbos, some leafiness, pepper and other spice. The palate is focused and direct – pure fruit, fresh acidity and firm but not coarse tannins, the finish super-dry. A substantial wine that avoids being too luscious or smooth textured. Alc: 13.75%.
95
Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2021 – Abrie Beeslaar
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc. Dark berries, violets, earth, vanilla and spice on the nose. Good depth of flavour, bright acidity and well managed tannins – more tightly wound and upright than the standard release. Matured for 24 months in barrel, 100% new. Alc: 13.5%.
95
Le Riche CWG Auction Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 – Christo Le Riche
From the longest standing single vineyard utilised by Le Riche. Cassis, violets, incense, earth, vanilla and oak spice on the nose. The palate is unapologetically opulent – luscious fruit, bright acidity and tightly packed tannins. A sumptuous, potent wine. Alc: 14.86%.
95
Miles Mossop Wines Maximilian 2021 – Miles Mossop
93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot. Red and black berries, violets, tea leaf, tobacco and a hint of earth on the nose. The palate shows excellent structure and balance – dense fruit, fresh acidity and supple tannins, the finish long and dry. Alc: 14.19%.
95
Neil Ellis Wines Abel 2020 – Warren Ellis
W.O. Jonkershoek Valley. 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot, 5% Malbec. Black berries, some leafiness, pencil shavings and some gunsmoke-like reduction. The palate shows good depth of fruit, fresh acidity and firm but not coarse tannins. Upright, well-structured and age-worthy. Alc: 14.58%.
95
Savage Wines Auction Syrah 2022 – Duncan Savage
Cranberry, raspberry, fynbos, cured meat, earth, coriander, white pepper and other spice on the nose while the palate is seductive and already quite open – pure fruit, moderate acidity and soft tannins. Alc: 13.71%.
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