Experts’ choice: South Africa’s top port wines in 2012
THE STAND-OUT port-style wines from South Africa, the best reviews of the year… Klein Karoo producers Axe Hill, Boplaas, the Calitzdorp Cellar and De Krans remain dominant, with Bergsig of the Breedekloof and KWV of Paarl offering the main alternatives at this level of quality – a standard that irked the Portuguese so much that the European Union banned South African cellars from using the word ‘port’ on their labels:
Bergsig Cape LBV 2001 – double gold medal at Michelangelo Awards
Calitzdorp Cellar Cape Ruby 2010 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection
TAWNY
Boplaas Cape Tawny Reserve 1995 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide
Boplaas Cape Tawny Reserve 1997 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection
Boplaas Show Reserve Cape Tawny NV – gold medal at Cape Port Challenge
KWV Cape Tawny NV – 5 Stars in Best Value Wine Guide (WineMag.co.za), gold medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition, double gold medal at Veritas Awards, gold medal at Cape Port Challenge
KWV Reserve Collection Port 1929 – trophy at Trophy Wine Show
VINTAGE
Axe Hill Cape Vintage 2009 – trophy at Trophy Wine Show, gold medal at Cape Port Challenge
Bergsig Cape Vintage 2001 – gold medal at Cape Port Challenge
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2001 – gold medal at Cape Port Challenge
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2006 – double gold medal at Michelangelo Awards
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2007 – gold medal at Cape Port Challenge
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2009 – double gold medal at Veritas Awards, Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2010 – double gold medal at Veritas Awards, highly recommended in Platter’s Guide, gold medal at Cape Port Challenge
Bredell’s Cape Vintage 2003 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection
Calitzdorp Cellar Cape Vintage 2009 – gold medal at Cape Port Challenge
De Krans Cape Vintage 2002 – gold medal at Cape Port Challenge
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2008 – gold medal at Cape Port Challenge
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2009 – gold medal at Cape Port Challenge
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2010 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide
For the prices of these wines and more port recommendations, click here. For information about the various judging panels, click here.
