Diemersdal and Hartenberg among stand-out names in the 2014 SA Wine and Cellar Classifications – Top Wine SA

SOUTH AFRICA’S 2014 Wine & Cellar Classifications based on the best track records in 25 local and international blind-tasting forums over the past 10 years feature eight new inclusions among the Top 100 Cellars: De Morgenzon, Laborie Wine Estate, Newton Johnson Family Vineyards, Nitida Cellars, Quoin Rock Winery, Rall Wines, Reyneke Wines and Van Loveren. However the majority of the country’s leading producers this time last year remain solid, their product still consistently top-notch.

To be eligible for Classification, a wine must have been made and bottled in South Africa and must have earned very good reviews by at least one of the top judging panels for at least three vintages during the period under review – 2004 to 2013 for the 2014 Classification. The panels include those of Platter’s wine guide (5 Stars and Highly Recommended), the Trophy Wine Show and the Michelangelo awards, Veritas and the Six Nations Wine Challenge, Decanter, the International Wine Challenge and IWSC – to mention just eight of the 25. And thereafter it is the number of top-rated vintages and the type of accolades that determine Top 20 and Top 10 rankings among South Africa’s most fancied wines in recent times.
Climbing into the Top 20 of the SA Red Wine Cellar Classification this year are Chamonix, De Trafford and Kleine Zalze, with Diemersdal Estate now a Top 20 SA White Wine Cellar. Diemersdal is entrenched as one of the Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc producers in the country, with The Songbird from D’Aria, David Nieuwoudt’s Ghost Corner from Cederberg Private Cellar, The Outlier from Jordan Estate, The Nicobar from Quoin Rock and Reyneke Reserve White all new inclusions among South Africa’s Top 20 in the latest Sauvignon Blanc rankings.
 The White Blend Classification now includes Steenberg Magna Carta among the Top 10, while four Syrahs have improved from Top 20 to Top 10 status in the Shiraz Classification, namely Cirrus, De Trafford 393, Hartenberg Gravel Hill and Simonsig Merindol.
Gravel Hill has also earned a place in the Hall of Fame, which showcases those South African wines that have received top accolades from one or more of the top tasting panels for no fewer than eight vintages over the past 10 years. The other new ‘inductees’ are: Beyerskloof Pinotage Reserve, De Trafford Syrah 393, Diemersdal Eight Rows Sauvignon Blanc, Eikendal Classique, Fairview La Beryl Blanc, Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon (Bergkelder), Jordan Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon, Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Chenin Blanc, Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paul Cluver Chardonnay, Rustenberg John X Merriman, Saronsberg Full Circle, Saronsberg Shiraz, Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz, Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut, Stark-Condé Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon, Steenberg Semillon, Warwick Trilogy and Waterford Cabernet Sauvignon.
 
Full details of the SA Wine & Cellar Classifications applauding the most consistently good wines of the various types produced in South Africa are available at www.topwinesa.com
 
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