2019 CWG Auction wines rated

The old and the new – 2019 CWG Auction wines now carry the winemakers signature.

The 35th Nedbank CWG Auction is open to the public and will be held at the Spier Conference Centre outside Stellenbosch on Saturday, 5 October 2019 (buyer registration closes on Wednesday, 18 September).

The line-up comprises 45 wines – 28 red wines, 12 white wines, three Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) wines, a brandy and one port-style wine, making up the tally of 1 932 cases (6 x 750ml case equivalent) compared to 2 012 cases last year. Media and trade were invited to a blind tasting of the line-up earlier in the week, my scores as follows:

98
Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Auction Reserve 2017
Quantity of six-bottle cases on offer: 50 out of 80
Only two barrels made, one with grapes from Porseleinberg in the Swartland and the other from Stellenbosch. Fermentation involving 25% whole-bunch in concrete vats before maturation lasting 18 months in French oak. An utterly captivating nose showing red and black berries, musk, lilies, fynbos and white pepper while the palate displays dense fruit, fresh acidity and fine tannins, the finish lasting for ages. Seamless and just about complete.

96
Miles Mossop Maximilian 2014
Quantity of six-bottle cases on offer: 40 out of 60
100% Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose shows red and black berries, an attractive herbal note, some floral perfume and oak spice. The palate is extraordinarily youthful with pure fruit, vibrant acidity and lovely fine tannins. Just beautifully balanced, this is SA Cab at its best.

95
Boplaas Daniel’s Legacy 8 Year Potstill Brandy
Quantity of six-bottle cases on offer: 22 out of 72
100% Colombar. An elusive and beguiling nose of citrus, dried herbs and flowers. Light, fresh and smooth on the palate, this is supremely refined.

95
Grangehurst Auction Reserve 2015
Quantity on offer: 44 out of 132 six-bottle cases and 16 out of 44 three-bottle sets of magnums
59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Petit Verdot and 10% Merlot. Matured for 30 months in French oak. Red and black berries, a subtle herbal quality and oak spice to go with darker notes of boot polish and undergrowth.  Medium bodied and wonderfully intricate on the palate – a good core of fruit, great vibrancy and fine tannins, the finish long and dry.

94
Ataraxia Under The Gavel Chardonnay 2018
Bartho Eksteen Vloekskoot Sauvignon Blanc – Wooded 2018
Boplaas Cape Vintage Auction Reserve 2016
De Trafford Chenin Blanc Reserve 2017
Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2016
Kanonkop CWG Pinotage 2017
Villiera Drip Barrel Cabernet Franc 2017

93
Beaumont Family Wines Leo’s Whole Bunch Chenin Blanc 2017
Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Graham Beck Agrafe Fermented MCC 2014
Graham Beck Crown Cap Fermented MCC 2014 (3 of each / box)
Luddite The Lone Stranger 2017
Mullineux ‘The Gris’ Semillon Old Vines 2018
Spier Frans K Smit 20 Year Celebration 2015

92
Beyerskloof CWG Traildust Pinotage 2017
Boschkloof Epilogue Syrah 2017
De Grendel Op Die Berg Pinot Noir 2017
DeMorgenzon Gravitas 2017
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Auction Reserve 2017
Luddite Wonderland Avenue Grenache 2018
Miles Mossop Wines Saskia-Jo 2017
Neil Ellis Wines The Designate 2013
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Sandford Chardonnay 2018
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards The Awakening Mourvèdre 2018
Paul Cluver Auction Selection Pinot Noir 2017
Rijk’s CWG Pinotage 2016
Strydom Family Wines Paradigm 2016

91
Ernie Els CWG 2016
Jordan CWG Chardonnay 2018
Jordan Sophia 2016
Raats Family Wines The Fountain Terroir Specific Chenin Blanc 2018
Spier Farm House Organic Chenin Blanc 2017

90
Cederberg Teen Die Hoog Shiraz 2017
De Grendel Wooded Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Edgebaston Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2016
Silverthorn Big Dog V Méthode Cap Classique 2014

89
Bartho Eksteen Professore 2017
Leeu Passant Radicales Libres 2014

88
De Trafford Perspective 2017

Not tasted:
Hartenberg CWG Auction Shiraz 2016
Saronsberg The Inner Circle 2016

For more information, visit Capewinemakersguild.com