The 2022 CWG Auction wines rated: 95-plus points
By Christian Eedes, 23 September 2022
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The 38th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Auction is set to be held on Friday 30 September and Saturday 1 October 2022 at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West. This year’s auction will see a total of 43 wines from 30 guild members on offer – I tasted 39 of these wines sighted, the wines to rate 95-plus on the 100-point quality scale below.
White
96
Beaumont Family Wines Hope Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2020
Grapes from a 1978 vineyard, one of two that otherwise supplies Hope Marguerite. Citrus, peach, apple and melon plus some lanolin on the nose while the palate has excellent depth of fruit and well-integrated acidity before a long and gently savoury finish. A wine of both detail and poise.
96
Mullineux Trifecta Chenin Blanc 2020
Grapes from three vineyards on different soil types, these being granite, schist and iron and the wine to be auctioned off in its 34th months of barrel maturation. Some flinty reduction on the nose before citrus and white peach with an intriguing herbal note in the background. The palate displays pure fruit and punchy acidity before a pithy finish. This wine’s flavour intensity is impressive as is its overall focus and poise.
95
David & Nadia Veiling Chenin Blanc 2021
Grapes from three Old Vine Project certified single vineyards in the Swartland. Spontaneously fermented and matured for 11 months in old oak. Pear, peach, lime, hay, some earthiness and just a touch of flinty reduction on the nose while the palate has a dense core of fruit to go with an arresting line of acidity, the finish long and pithy. Light and undeviating, this has startling purity.
95
Paul Cluver The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2021
W.O. Elgin. Grapes from the oldest block (34 years) on the property. Spontaneously fermented and matured for nine months in 300-litre barrels. Intense citrus, some leesy complexity, vanilla and oak spice on the nose. The palate shows excellent fruit concentration and driving acidity before a long, dry finish. Good weight and texture. A striking wine, surprisingly powerful given an alcohol of just 12.5%.
Red
97
Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Auction Reserve 2020
W.O. Coastal Region – one barrel sourced from Porseleinberg in Swartland and the other barrel from Stellenbosch. Spontaneous fermentation (50% whole-bunch) in concrete before 18 months maturation in old oak. Lilies, fynbos, red and black berries plus white pepper on the nose while the palate is vivid and harmonious – great purity of fruit, bright acidity and super-fine tannins. Made without artifice, this is intricate and absolutely full of charm.
97
Miles Mossop Wines Maximilian 2019
W.O. Stellenbosch. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot. Matured in 225-litre French oak barriques for 20 months, 46% new. Cassis, violets, some leafiness, turned earth and pencil shavings on the nose while the palate is statuesque and seamless – wonderful depth of fruit, bright acidity and grippy but not astringent tannins. The structure is excellent, the finish extremely long and dry.
96
Hartenberg CWG Auction Shiraz 2020
W.O. Stellenbosch. A blend of the property’s two top-end Shiraz wines, the Gravel Hill and the Stork. Matured for 21 months in French oak, 50% new. Top notes of potpourri and dried herbs before red and black berries, smoked meat, pepper and spice on the nose while the palate shows good fruit concentration, well integrated acidity and supple tannins. Layers of flavour, the overall impression being savoury.
96
Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2019
W.O. Stellenbosch. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 11% Merlot. Matured for 24 months in French oak barrels, 100% new. Cranberry, cassis, floral perfume, some leafiness and pencil shavings on the nose while the palate is medium bodied and very well balanced with good fruit definition, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Supremely elegant, intricate and rewarding.
95
David & Nadia Veiling Grenache Noir 2021
W.O. Swartland. Top notes of floral perfume and fynbos before cranberry and strawberry on the nose. The palate is light and fresh – excellent fruit purity while the finish is long and dry. Precise, elegant and energetic.
95
Neil Ellis Wines Jonkershoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
W.O. Jonkershoek. No barrels used in maturation. Red and black berries, dried herbs, tobacco and an attractive woody note. The palate is medium-bodied and well balanced with succulent fruit fresh acidity and fine tannins, the finish long and savoury. Classically styled.
For the wines that rated 89 – 91, click here.
For the wines rated 92, click here.
For the wines rated 93, click here.
For the wines rated 94, click here.
An overview of the auction programme is available here.
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