|
 This is the second time that Nederburg wins this coveted title, the last time being six years ago in the 2011 edition. In this 2017 edition, four of their wines have been granted 5-Stars results, the most of any producer. Arun Kumar, Director of Aspri Spirits, was quite happy when delWine informed him of the news. ‘We have been importing several labels from them since 2008 and are doing very good sales with their wines. We used to even go personally to the Nederburg Auction and import their Auction bottles for our portfolio. But since the FSSAI problem two years ago, we have had to discontinue the practice as it has become impractical to get the labelling done for small quantities.’
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines owned by Chris and his winemaker wife Andrea Mullineux with the Max India Chairman Emeritus Singh as the partner , was the winner of the 2016 Winery of Year. The Dessert Wine of the Year award has again gone to them this year for their Straw Wine 2015. The prestigious Red Wine of the Year goes to the Winery of Good Hope for the Radford Dale Black Rock 2014. White Wine of the Year was awarded to Stellenrust for the 51 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2015.
Five Star Wines
A total of 94 Five Star wines, as well as a new Five Star brandy, are featured in the 2017 guide. All wines that were scored 4.5 stars or higher in the primary assessment went into a second round of tasting, conducted blind by small panels including experienced palates from outside the team.
Emerging for the first ever Five Star ratings were 17 producers: Artisanal Boutique Winery, Bartinney Private Cellar, Bosman Family Vineyards, Diemersdal Estate, Donkiesbaai, La Vierge Private Cellar, Laibach Vineyards, Môreson, Mount Abora Vineyards, Olifantsberg Family Vineyards, Perdeberg Winery, Restless River, Ronnie B Wines, Skaap Wines, Stellar Winery, Thorne & Daughters Wines and Trizanne Signature Wines.
A special mention was made by the editors for wineries that had three 5- Star ratings for Cape Chamonix Wine Farm, David & Nadia, Kleine Zalze Wines, Newton Johnson Vineyards and Sadie Family Wines.
Platter’s Guide
Debuting in 1980 and with sale of over 1.4 million copies plus more recent digital versions for mobile and desktop devices, Platter’s Guide is South Africa’s first and still leading annual wine guide. The Guide follows the popular and award-winning format, with 950 South African wine producers, merchants and brands being featured, including 28 new ones, along with over 8,000 locally produced wines.
The guide’s wine descriptions and star ratings are compiled in association with a team of leading wine experts, and include good-value indicators and pointers to Hidden Gems – wines that are interesting, unique, unusual or otherwise worthy of attention. Additionally, Winelands dining, accommodation and cellar door tasting options are also covered in detail, along with the full spectrum of tourist amenities, attractions and activities.
For all the 5-star wines, please click here
Subhash Arora
Five Star Wines |