Prescient Sauvignon Blanc Report 2021: Sauv-Sem Blends Top 10
By Christian Eedes, 13 October 2021
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Introduction
This year’s Sauvignon Blanc Report convened by Winemag.co.za and sponsored by multinational financial services company Prescient is to be released sequentially. There were 125 entries in total and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale.
Sauv-Sem Blends Top 10
The 10 best Sauv-Sem Blends are as follows:
96
Wade Bales Regional Series Constantia White 2019
Price: R220
Wine of Origin: Constantia
Abv: 13.46%
95
Constantia Uitsig Natura Vista 2019
Price: R185
Wine of Origin: Constantia
Abv: 13.71%
95
Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2018
Price: R300
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 13.5%
95
Vergelegen G.V.B White 2019
Price: R440
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 13.62%
94
La Petite Ferme Winemaker’s Edition 2019
Price: R230
Wine of Origin: Western Cape
Abv: 12.83%
93
Brunia White 2019
Price: R250
Wine of Origin: Sondagskloof
Abv: 14%
93
Delaire Graff White Reserve 2019
Price: R425
Wine of Origin: Western Cape
Abv: 14.46%
92
Bizoe Henriëtta 2019
Price: R185
Wine of Origin: Western Cape
Abv: 13.5%
92
Strandveld Adamastor 2019
Price: R185
Wine of Origin: Elim
Abv: 13.56%
91
Saxenburg Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2020
Price: R185
Wine of Origin: Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch
Abv: 13.6%
About the category
Sauvignon Blanc is an extremely popular variety that typically makes aromatic, crisp, dry and extremely distinctive wines all over the world. The appellations of Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre in the central France’s Loire Valley produce benchmark versions of the variety while New Zealand has also become closely associated with it in modern times. In Bordeaux, meanwhile, Sauvignon is frequently blended with Semillon to good effect.
Most Sauvignon Blanc is fermented at relatively low temperatures in stainless steel with the intention of preserving as much primary fruit as possible. Picking dates and winemaking have a huge influence on style, but the best examples provide a recognisable sense of place, too. Barrel fermentation and maturation as well as the addition of Semillon are two ploys to provide the wines from the variety with extra depth and complexity.
What does a top Sauv-Sem Blend go for?
The average cellar-door price of the Top 10 is R261 a bottle.
Best Buy
Offering the best quality relative to price is Nitida Coronata Integration 2018 with a rating of 91 and selling for R140 a bottle.
Named after the Protea Coronata, this wine consists of 52% Sauvignon Blanc fermented in tank and 48% Semillon fermented in new French oak. The nose shows blackcurrant, peach and tangerine plus some honey and nutty character while the palate is rich and smooth textured with nicely integrated acidity.
In-depth analysis
To read the report in full, including key findings, tasting notes for the top wines, buyers guide and scores on the 100-point quality scale for all wines entered, download the following: Prescient Sauvignon Blanc Report 2021
Prize
Wade Bales, as producer of the Sauv-Sem blend judged best overall, wins a new 225-litre Sylvain Blanc barrel worth €879 (the equivalent of R15 150 at the time of writing) from Tonnellerie Sylvain.
Shop online
Johannesburg boutique wine retailer Dry Dock Liquor is offering most of the wines in the Top 10 for sale and can deliver nationwide. Spend R500 or more and get R150 off. Use code WINEMAG150 at checkout – buy now.
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