Vinoblogie Platter’s 2018 5* Wine test

Vinoblogie Platter’s 2018 5* Wine test

English version

Omdat dit een bundeling is van recente Instagram posts is dit artikel in het Engels geschreven.

Nederlandstalige intro:
De kwaliteit van Zuid-Afrikaanse (premium) wijn gaat eigenlijk elk oogstjaar verder omhoog. Zelfs de problematische droogte van de afgelopen jaren staat deze ontwikkeling niet in de weg. Men doorgrondt het terroir steeds beter en het aantal getalenteerde wijnmakers is groter dan ooit. De wijnen worden eleganter, puurder, verfijnder en vaak ook complexer van stijl. Hoewel veel recensenten van de Platter’s Wine Guide nog altijd een lichte voorkeur lijken te hebben voor ‘beukers’ van wijnen, biedt Platter’s wijngids een goede leidraad door het bonte safaripark van Zuid-Afrikaanse wijn. Vinoblogie testte onlangs in Zuid-Afrika meer dan 25 wijnen die de hoogste 5* waardering in Platter’s 2018 kregen.
Omdat dit een bundeling is van recente Instagram posts is dit artikel in het Engels geschreven. Verkoopadressen staan onder het artikel vermeld.

Tasted&Tested 5* white wines

AA Badenhorst Dassiekop Steen 2016

The (rather expensive) Badenhorst Dassiekop Steen 2016 didn’t show well, seemed closed and not very complex nor expressive, which might be caused by its stage. Balance and acidity excellent, otherwise a bit boring and tight.
Instead of rating it with 4* or 4,5* I will refrain from a score for now.

Beaumont Hope Marguerite Chenin Blanc 2016

Every vintage a personal favourite & foodfriendly SA Chenin with incredible balance, restrained power, finesse and a deep mineral core

Oatmeal | Dried apple | Lemon | Savoury minerals | Crisp acidity | Creamy touch of oak | Intriguing depth & length……

Def worth 5* (like previous vintages)
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Vinoblogie score 5*

Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2015 (Oops…: 5* in Platter’s 2017 edition)

40-45 YO vines, WO Coastal Region, spontaneous barrel-ferment

Lanolin | Lemon | Quince | Toast & Butter | Salty | Nutty | Spicy oak | Rich & full-bodied with good acid and mineral backbone | 14% ABV well integrated

Excellent oaked SA Chenin, very rich & full-bodied, therefore one glass suffices
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Vinoblogie score: 4,5*

Cederberg/David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2017

From Elim fruit, 5 months lees contact

Canned asparagus & peas | Cape gooseberry | Green pepper | Crispy Granny Smith apple | Good acidity and structure/grip | Great balance and finesse

Beautifully and precisely made, expressive and refreshing New World Cool Climate Sauvignon Blanc
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Vinoblogie score: 4,5*
>>> 4,5* David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (old oak fermented & aged) adds an extra dimension to same flavour profile with additional layers of flinty/smoky minerality, chalk and passion fruit in the mid palate plus a creamier finish
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Vinoblogie score: 5* for the Wild Ferment‼

Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Full-flavoured and with tingling acidity from relatively cool vintage 2017, 98% Sauvignon Blanc + 2% Semillon

Passion fruit | Gooseberry | Lime | Juicy acidity | Finesse | Balance

Perfect summer’s day Sauvignon Blanc, very well made, with beautiful fresh exotic fruit and lively acidity, although I would reserve a 5* rating for wines that blow you away with a certain uniqueness, depth and complexity
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Vinoblogie score: 4,5*

Groot Constantia Gouverneur’s Reserve White 2015

75% Semillon, 25% Sauvignon Blanc, 12,7% ABV

Expressive | Citrus | Grass & Hay | Stony minerality | White pepper | Balanced acidity | Light spice & vanilla from oak | Fresh & creamy finish

Very well-made wine that shows a successful marriage of expressive citrus, grassiness and minerality with classy and well-dosed oak. Pleasantly light and classy
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Vinoblogie score: 4,5*

Hermanuspietersfontein Kat met die Houtbeen Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Green bell pepper | Passion fruit | Hint of mineral oil | Hint of toast from oak regime | Full bodied | Ripe and persistent | Alcohol (13,5%) slightly too present and not integrated

Nice Sauv Blanc but def not worth 5*
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Vinoblogie score 4*

Jordan Inspector Péringuey Chenin Blanc 2016

Archetypical well made lightly oaked SA Chenin with

Apple | Lemon | White peach | Cream | Spicy oak | Citrusy acidity

Refined and classy benchmark Chenin Blanc, great Quality-Price Ratio but misses depth and layered complexity to be a 5* wine — 4* but earns extra points for good QPR
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Vinoblogie score: 4,5*

Kershaw Elgin Chardonnay 2016

Restrain | Subtle notes of white blossom, lemon curd, smoke and spice | Some flinty/matchstick reduction | Lemony acidity | Elegance | Length | Depth

For me, Richard Kershaw’s Chardonnays blow all other SA Chardonnays away (maybe with the occasional exception of Paserene and Newton Johnson…). The subtlety and finesse are from another league.
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Vinoblogie score: 5*

Oak Valley Fountain of Youth Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Lives up to its name! Concentrated & thirst quenching Sauvignon Blanc water from Elgin

Expressive | Crispy Granny Smith apple | Gooseberry | Pure & Clear | Fresh | High citrusy acidity | Balance | Even some length!

Balanced and extremely refreshing Sauvignon Blanc with good Quality-Price Ratio but misses complexity to be a 5* wine — 4+* but earns extra points for QPR
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Vinoblogie score: 4,5*

Sadie ‘T Voetpad 2016

Chenin, Semillon, Palomino blend
Deep and layered with savoury and stony minerals, acid structure and very subtle citrus/peach/white blossom/beeswax. Nothing that stands out — almost boring?  — everything is in a long and complex, harmonious balance.
One remark: alcohol feels more powerful than 13,5%

Balance | Restrained power | Layered complexity | Citrus | Savoury & Stony minerality | Floral touch | Hint of peach | High but rounded acidity | Length

Goes spectacularly well with both delicate (sea-) as well as meaty or spicy food — brings great length, finesse and freshness to the food‼
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Vinoblogie score 5*

Tasted&Tested 5* red wines

Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2015

Classic New World Cool Climate Pinot Noir

Ripe red fruits | Sweet cherry | Forest berries | Toasted oak | Cinnamon & mild spices | Warmth from vintage 2015 whilst maintaining elegance | Fine dusty tannin structure | Vivid acidity | Integrated oak | Loves food

Less depth and complexity than current Iconic Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2013 that would have deserved at least 5*‼ (instead of Platter’s 4,5 — but comes with a much higher price tag)
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Vinoblogie score: 5*

Cederberg Shiraz 2015

Sun-kissed dark fruit | Black pepper | Bacon | Savoury | Elegant structure and acidity | Slightly dominated by flavours of toast and clove from oak
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Vinoblogie score: 4,5*

Chamonix Troika Reserve 2015

Cabernet Franc dominated Bordeaux-blend: 49% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot ,13% Petit Verdot, 18 months in French oak, 60% new, 14,5% ABV

Lots of fruit | Red and black berries | Spices: cinnamon, clove, pepper | Hint of vanilla and cigar box | High acidity | Gentle tannin

A very (almost too) elegant Bordeaux-blend, fruit-forward and more delicate than you’d expect from a wine that was matured for 18 months in 60% new oak! Very well done but could do with more lusciousness
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Vinoblogie score: 4,5*

Creation The Art of Pinot Noir 2016

Single vineyard, 30% whole bunch fermented, 12 months French oak, 50% new.
Complexly layered, utterly elegant Pinot Noir with mouthwatering acidity and a supple yet profound tannin structure.
Delicate perfume+flavours of

Earth | Forest | Truffle | Sour cherry | Goji berry | Cranberry | Forest berries | Spices | Roses | Stony minerality | Hints of fresh woodfire smoke

If you can, try to let this age — even the basic Creation estate Pinot Noir ages very well and beautifully
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Vinoblogie score 5*

David Finlayson GS 2014

100% Cabernet Sauvignon in honour of the legendary George Spies GS Cab Sauv
Ripe Cabernet Fruit, Power & Elegance from cool vintage 2014

Excellent fruit & intense concentration | Ripe currants & blackberries | Cigar box | Sweet smooth tannins | 15% unnoticeable in perfect alcohol-fruit-acidity-tannin-oak balance

Platter’s says ‘for the long haul’, I say no need to wait – totally agree with 5* score
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Vinoblogie score 5*‼

Delaire Graff Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2015

From single vineyard planted in 1999, whole berry fermented, 18 months in French oak, 80% new, 14,8% ABV

Ripe yet fresh cassis and blackberry fruit | Vibrant red fruit | Cigar box | Hint of wax | Fine tannin structure

Love the vibrant red fruit in this beside the classic Cabernet notes. Very nice, vibrant and elegant, with power and intensity from 2015 vintage, quite expensive
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Vinoblogie score: 5-*
(4,5* taking into account the €40+ price tag. The Laurence Graff Reserve is a 5 barrel selection of the same wine, even nicer and more complex but far too expensive)

De Trafford Blueprint Shiraz 2015

Low yield (39 hl/ha) from decomposed granite soil in Stellenbosch, 10% whole bunch, spontaneously fermented, 20 months in used oak, low sulphur (15mg/l free SO2, 59mg/l total), unfined and unfiltered.

Pure | Blackberry | Black pepper | Spice | Hint of barnyard | Stony minerality | Solid structure of fine, ripe tannin | Vibrant | Energy | Balance | Concentration | Decant or age | 15,1% ABV unnoticeable!

Top class Syrah, pure and complex, balance and tension, WOW, this might be my favourite SA Shiraz‼
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Vinoblogie score: 5*‼

Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2014

From highest and coolest Constantia vineyards, 18 months French oak, 30% new

Fresh and elegant dark Syrah fruit | White pepper spice | Savoury | Modest oak | Tannin well integrated | Nice and dry

Could do with a bit more length, depth and concentration to earn a 5* score
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Vinoblogie score: 4,5*

Remhoogte Syrah Single Vineyard Reserve 2015

Wild ferment, 50% whole bunch, 24 months in French oak, 50% new.

Intense ripe, mainly dark Syrah fruit | Black pepper | Spices | Licorice | Oak | Vanilla | Silky tannins

Almost over the top New World taste but with its massive length & concentration and silky tannins this is just A Fantastic Wine‼
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Vinoblogie score 5*

Trizanne Signature Wines Reserve Syrah 2016

Savoury | Olive | Crushed pepper | Blackberry | Red berry fruit | Violets | Refined | Elegant acidity

Very elegant Syrah from Elim fruit, cool climate style with red fruit next to dark fruit, black olive and pepper, very modest (old) oak. Made by a cool female winemaker, Trizanne Barnard. Excellent QPR. Beautiful and pure, could do with a bit more fruit though, should have decanted…
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Vinoblogie score: 5-*

Uva Mira The Mira Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Mountain vineyards at 620 meters altitude in Stellenbosch, 9 km from False Bay
18 months oak, 60% new
Smooth&Smoky Cab Sauv

Juicy | Black currant | Blackberry | Toasty oak | Mocha | Roasted coffee bean | Dense, ripe and velvety tannins

Not very complex but good concentration and juicy acidity, big&bold, a full-bodied comfort wine
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Vinoblogie score 4,5*

Tasted&Tested 5* sweet & fortified wines

Delaire Graff Cape Vintage 2015

50% Tinta Barocca, 50% Touriga Nacional from Stellenbosch, 12 months in barrique+18 in bottle.
A very serious yet extremely pleasant and refined Ruby, made by winemaker Morné Vrey who does not deny his Calitzdorp roots…

Tobacco leaf | 4 Red fruits | Nutmeg | Rich, Ripe & Powerful | Fine-grained tannins | Fruity freshness in perfect balance with modest sweetness

Best Port-style wine from SA I ever tasted‼ Complexity and finesse
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Vinoblogie score 5*

Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2014

Constantia Wyn=South Africa’s oldest wine (from late 17th century): a sweet wine from late harvest Muscat (usually Muscat de Frontignan) grapes, fermented and aged in oak barrels.
Production of Constantia wine ceased in the late 19th century following the devastation of South African vineyards by the phylloxera epidemic. Production resumed at Klein Constantia in 1986 (Vin de Constance), at Groot Constantia (Grand Constance) in 2003 and at Buitenverwachting in 2007 (“1796”).

Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2014 is amber-coloured, made from white and red Muscat de Frontignan grapes, barrel-fermented and matured in old French oak barrels for 18 months

Peach | More peach 🍑  | Apricot | Rose petal Turkish delight | Sufficient acidity | Some volatile acidity
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Vinoblogie score: 4,5*

Personally I prefer the Buitenverwachting “1796” 2015
(as well as 2014) from neighbouring vineyards and winery, which is more intriguing and full-flavoured when it comes to taste and has nicer acidity:

Fynbos honey | Peach & Apricot | Tobacco | Nice tannic grip | Good acidity | 190 g/l residual sugar | Fresh, not sticky
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Vinoblogie score: 5* (4,5* in Platter’s)

… And even ‘more perfect’ and complex is the epic

Vin de Constance from other neighbouring vineyards/winery Klein Constantia
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Vinoblogie score: 5+*‼  (Vintage after vintage 5* in Platter’s)

Miles Mossop Kika Noble Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2016

Candied fruit | Pineapple | Honey | Citrus | Some (artificial?) botrytis

Nice sweet-sour balance but lacks tension and complexity of great 5* sweet wines
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Vinoblogie score 4+*

Mullineux Straw Wine 2016

100% Chenin, only 8% alcohol
Nectar of the gods

Apricot | Nectarine | Honey | Orange flowers | Nice balance of sweetness-acidity

Intensely concentrated, sweet and fruity nectar countered by sufficient acidity (although not as poised as in the 5+ stellar 2015 vintage)
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Vinoblogie score 5*

Verkoopadressen (niet alle wijnen zijn in Nederland verkrijgbaar):

AA Badenhorst: Gall & Gall

Beaumont: Benier Global Wines, Pasteuning

Bellingham: LFE

Bouchard Finlayson: QV Select

Buitenverwachting: L’Exception

Cederberg/David Nieuwoudt: Les Généreux

Chamonix: Benier Global Wines, Pasteuning

Creation: Benier Global Wines, Pasteuning

David Finlayson: LFE

Delaire Graff: Kwast Wijnkopers, Bovino

De Trafford: Kwast Wijnkopers, Bovino

Eagles’ Nest: Gall & Gall

Groot Constantia: Gall & Gall

Jordan: Pallas Wines, Pasteuning

Kershaw: Les Généreux

Klein Constantia: L’Exception

Mullineux: Wine Matters

Remhoogte: Benier Global Wines

Sadie: Wijnkooperij De Lange

Trizanne: Glandorf & Thijs