Sommeliers stir things up a bit with somewhat surprising winelist

IT’S A UNIQUE COMPETITION insofar as all of the judges are members of the South African Sommelier Association – although it’s owned and run by Darielle Robertson of DnA Events Management in Cape Town. It’s also unusual, insofar as the judging culminates in drawing up a Cape Winelist, with listings presented according to Wine by the Glass, Fresh & Crunchy, Elegant & Classy, Full and Rich, Luscious & Aromatic, Fresh & Juicy, Voluptuous & Rich, Pink, Fizz and Stickies, i.e. rather than according to varieties, blends and styles.

On the 2017 Sommeliers Selection panel: Joakim Blackadder (chair), Pearl Oliver (Taj Hotel in Cape Town), Joseph Dafana (La Colombe Restaurant in Constantia), Billet Magara (Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga KZN), Spencer Fondaumiere (Burrata Restaurant in Woodstock), Barry Scholfield and Esmé Groenewald (restaurateurs).

We aren’t told how many entries were considered for the Selection, although the laureates represent some top cellars as well as a number of less familiar outfits and a newcomer or two. But only one Pinotage? Not a single Cab from Stellenbosch? And no room for a Cape Port?

CHARDONNAY

Botha Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2014 – Breekekloof Cellar
Cluster Series Chardonnay 2016 (Laarman)
Creation The Art of Chardonnay 2016 – Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge Cellar
De Wetshof Limestone Hill Chardonnay 2017 – Robertson Cellar
Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2015 – Simonsberg-Paarl Cellar
Glenwood Grand Duc Chardonnay 2015 – Franschhoek Cellar
Highlands Road Chardonnay 2016 – Elgin Cellar
Mt Vernon Chardonnay 2013 – Simonsberg-Paarl Cellar
Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay 2016 – Elgin Cellar
Rickety Bridge Chardonnay 2016 – Franschhoek Cellar

CHENIN BLANC

Carl Everson Chenin Blanc 2016 (Opstal) – Breedekloof Cellar
Daschbosch Steen 2016 (uniWines) – Breedekloof Cellar
Legends Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2015 (Slanghoek) – Breedekloof
Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Chenin Blanc 2016 – Franschhoek Cellar
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2015 – Stellenbosch Cellar
Strydom Danièle Chenin Blanc 2016 – Stellenbosch Cellar
Vrede en Lust Casey’s Ridge Kogelberg Chenin Blanc 2015 – Franschhoek
Wildehurst Chenin Blanc 2015 – Swartland Cellar

SAUVIGNON BLANC

D’Aria The Following Sauvignon Blanc 2015 – Durbanville Cellar
D’Aria The Songbird Sauvignon Blanc 2016 – Durbanville Cellar
De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2016 – Panorama Cellar
Steenberg The Black Swan Sauvignon Blanc 2016 – Tokai Cellar

OTHER WHITE VARIETIES

Bergsig Gewürztraminer 2017 – Breedekloof Cellar
Bon Courage André’s Fame Colombard 2017 – Robertson Cellar
Paul Cluver Riesling Close Encounter 2016 – Elgin Cellar
Steenberg Semillon 2016 – Tokai Cellar
Villiera Jasmine 2017 (Muscat Ottonel) – Stellenbosch Cellar

WHITE BLENDS

Cavalli Cremello 2015 – Somerset West Cellar
Celestina Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2016 – WO Cape Agulhas
Flagstone Treaty Tree Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2016 – Somerset West
Secret Cellar CCG 808 NV (Ultra Liquors)
Spier Creative Block 2 2016 – Stellenbosch Cellar
The Little John NV (Arumdale) – Elgin Cellar

ROSÉ / BLANC DE NOIR

Opstal Syrah Viognier Blush 2017 – Breedekloof Cellar

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Boschendal 1685 Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 – Franschhoek Cellar
Mt Vernon Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 – Simonsberg-Paarl Cellar

PINOT NOIR

Lothian Pinot Noir 2016 – Elgin Cellar
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2015 – Elgin Cellar
Whalehaven Conservation Coast Pinot Noir 2013 – Hemel-en-Aarde Cellar
Whalehaven Pinot Noir 2015 – Hemel-en-Aarde Cellar

SHIRAZ

Dunstone Shiraz 2015 – Wellington Cellar
Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2014 – Somerset West Cellar
Oldenburg Syrah 2013 – Banghoek-Stellenbosch Cellar

OTHER RED VARIETIES

Boplaas Tinta Barocca 2015 – Calitzdorp Cellar
Flagstone Truth Tree Pinotage 2016 – Somerset West Cellar
Leeuwenkuil Grenache Noir 2015 – Swartland Cellar
Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2011 – Robertson Cellar

RED BLENDS

Alto Rouge 2015 – Stellenbosch Cellar
Bella Vino Sultry Red NV (Jason Neal)
Bergsig Icarus 2014 – Breedekloof Cellar
Flagstone Dragon Tree Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Pinotage 2014 – Somerset West
Hartenberg Alchemy Merlot Cabernet Franc Malbec 2015 – Bottelary-Stellenbosch
Idiom Shiraz Mourvèdre Viognier 2010 – Sir Lowry’s Pass Cellar
Kalk Bay The Lightsman 2015 (Super Single Vineyards) – Stellenbosch Cellar
Klein Gustrouw Reserve 2013 – Stellenbosch Cellar
Laibach The Ladybird Red Organic 2015 – Stellenbosch Cellar
Survivor Offspring 2015 (Overhex) – Worcester Cellar
Wildehurst Velo Red 2014 – Swartland Cellar

CAP CLASSIQUE SPARKLING

Graham Beck Brut NV – Robertson Cellar
Krone RD 2001 (Twee Jonge Gezellen) – Tulbagh Cellar
Paul René Brut 2014 (Wonderfontein) – Robertson Cellar
Silverthorn Jewel Box 2013 – WO Robertson
Villiera Tradition Brut NV – Stellenbosch Cellar

UNFORTIFIED DESSERT

Glenwood Grand Duc Noblesse NV – Franschhoek Cellar
Queen of Africa Edel Laat Oes 2015 – Swellendam Cellar
Slanghoek Crème de Chenin Natural Sweet 2016 – Breedekloof Cellar
Tierhoek Straw Wine NV – WO Piekenierskloof

FORTIFIED

Douglas Green Pale Cream NV (Sherry)
Montagu Cellar Red Muscadel 2016

 

PRICES of the Listed Wines given here.

TASTINGS of the award winners are scheduled for 28 September in Johannesburg and 5 October in Cape Town. For more info, see here.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

One comment

Want to have your say?