Prescient Minority Report 2020: Niche White Varieties Top 10
By Christian Eedes, 3 November 2020
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Introduction
This year’s Minority Report convened by winemag.co.za and sponsored by multinational financial services company Prescient is to be released sequentially. There were 55 wines made from niche white varieties entered and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale.
Niche White Varieties Top 10
The 10 best wines are as follows:
Arcangeli Vesta Semillon 2017
Price: R160
Wine of Origin: Botrivier
Abv: 12.32%
Bellingham The Bernard Series Whole Bunch Grenache Blanc With Viognier 2017
Price: R250
Wine of Origin: Paarl
Abv: 14%
Benguela Cove Catalina Semillon 2018
Price: R650
Wine of Origin: Walker Bay
Abv: 13.6%
Bosman Fides Grenache Blanc 2018
Price: R240
Wine of Origin: Wellington
Abv: 13.15%
Highlands Road Semillon 2018
Price: R220
Wine of Origin: Elgin
Abv: 14.6%
Old Road Wine Co. Grand-Mére Semillon 2017
Price: R535
Wine of Origin: Franschhoek
Abv: 13.5%
Rickety Bridge The Pilgrimage Semillon 2018
Price: R450
Wine of Origin: Franschhoek
Abv: 12.31%
Shannon Triangle Block Semillon 2017
Price: R250
Wine of Origin: Elgin
Abv: 13.6%
Shannon Triangle Block Semillon 2018
Price: R250
Wine of Origin: Elgin
Abv: 13.7%
Vergelegen Reserve Semillon 2018
Price: R325
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 13.5%
About the category
The focus of the Minority Report (previously the Alternative Varieties Report) is on wines from varieties whose respective total plantings do not exceed 2 000ha. South Africa’s nine most widely planted varieties (Chenin Blanc, Colombar, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Merlot and Ruby Cabernet in that order) all have plantings of over 2 000ha and together make up 84% of the national vineyard – this is a chance for the more subordinate varieties to shine!
In-depth analysis
To read the report in full, including key findings, tasting notes for the top wines, buyer’s guide and scores on the 100-point quality scale for all wines entered, download the following: Prescient Minority Report 2020
Shop online
Johannesburg boutique wine retailer Dry Dock Liquor is offering all wines in the Top 10 for sale – buy now.
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Kwispedoor | 3 November 2020
What total domination by Semillon, with only two Grenaches slipping in there and no other cultivars! Not sure what else was entered, but this is still a very good Top 10.