2018 CWG Auction wines rated

The 34th Nedbank CWG Auction is open to the public and will be held at the Spier Conference Centre in the Stellenbosch Winelands on Saturday, 29 September 2018. The line-up comprises 48 wines – 31 reds, 14 whites, two Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) wines and one port-style wine, making up the tally of 2 012 cases (6 x 750ml case equivalent) compared to 2 962 cases last year. Media and trade were invited to a blind tasting of the line-up yesterday, my scores as follows:

95
Boplaas Cape Vintage Auction Reserve 2015
80% Touriga Nacional, 10% Touriga Franca, 6% Souzão, 4% Tinta Barocca. A very fragrant and complex nose with notes of red and black berries, flowers , tea leaf, chocolate, spice and a little earthiness. Juicy and fresh with crunchy tannins. Pure fruit, lovely balanced and plenty of detail. Spirit addition handled supremely well. Alc: 18.39%.

95
Paul Cluver The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2017
A very pretty nose – top note of citrus blossom before pear, white peach and citrus. Light bodied but beautifully pure and balanced with a cracking line of acidity and a pithy finish. Immensely age-worthy. Alcohol: 12.88%.
 
95
Spier Frans K Smit 20 Year Celebration 2015
34% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Aromas of black fruit, violets and pencil shavings – a classic Bordeaux blend nose. Full bodied (alcohol is 15.39%) but still remarkably fresh and savoury – lovely fine tannins.

94
Boschkloof Epilogue Syrah 2016
Etienne le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Auction Reserve 2015
Mullineux ‘The Gris’ Semillon – Old Vines 2017
Strydom Family Wines The Game Changer Cabernet Franc-Merlot 2015

 93
Ataraxia Under The Gavel Chardonnay 2017
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Auction Reserve 2015
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Windansea Pinot Noir 2017
Miles Mossop Wines Maximilian 2011
Raats Family Wines Fountain Block Terroir Specific Chenin Blanc 2017

92
DeMorgenzon Roussanne 2017
Beaumont Family Wines Whole Bunch Mourvèdre 2016
Ernie Els CWG 2015
Rijk’s CWG Chenin Blanc 2016
Rijk’s CWG Pinotage 2015
Rust en Vrede CWG Auction Estate 2015

 91
Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2017
DeMorgenzon Grenache Blanc 2017
Hartenberg CWG Auction Riesling 2016
Johan Joubert Wines Granite Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Neil Ellis Wines Amper Bo Tempranillo 2015
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Windansea Pinot Noir 2016
Saronsberg CWG Shiraz Reserve 2015
Silverthorn Wines Big Dog IV Méthode Cap Classique 2013
Simonsig Die Kluisenaar Roussanne Marsanne 2016
Simonsig Heirloom Shiraz 2016
Waterford Estate ‘1988 Kept Aside’ Chardonnay 2017  

90
Bartho Eksteen Vloekskoot Sauvignon Blanc – Wooded 2017
Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Auction Reserve 2016
Gottfried Mocke Wine Projects Pinot Noir 2017
Jordan CWG Chardonnay 2017
Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2015
Kanonkop CWG Pinotage 2016
Vriesenhof Swanesang Pinot Noir 2015

89
Cederberg Teen Die Hoog Shiraz 2015
Graham Beck Cuvée 105 ‘MGA’ Zero Dosage 2009 Pinot Noir Chardonnay – Cap Classique
Grangehurst Auction Reserve 2007
Grangehurst Auction Blend 2014
Jordan Sophia 2015
Miles Mossop Wines Maximilian 2013
Nicky Versfeld Mia Semillon 2017
Villiera Drip Barrel Cabernet Franc 2016

88
De Grendel Op Die Berg Pinot Noir 2016

87
Bartho Eksteen Professore 2016

86
Edgebaston Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2015

Not tasted: Hartenberg CWG Auction Shiraz 2015

This is the last year that Etienne le Riche, Jan Boland Coetzee and Kevin Arnold will be participating as producing members. Meanwhile, Adi Badenhorst and Bruce Jack have resigned.