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<\/a>The 43rd edition of Platter\u2019s by Diners Club Wine Guide has announced its 2023 list of 196 wines in 28 categories that were awarded 5 stars this year. A total of 8000 wines by 900 producers was evaluated this year.<\/p>\nRed and White Blends as well as Chenin Blanc are the biggest 5 star classes, with 28, 27 and 28 individual labels, respectively. The Chardonnay, Shiraz\/Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon wine categories also performed well, with 22, 16, and 12 brands, respectively.<\/p>\n
The Top Performing Winery of the Year<\/u> goes to the winery that achieves the most five-star ratings after the annual final tasting round, it being Mullineux this year, with 8 five-star wines. It is the Swartland-based Wine Estate\u2019s fifth time as Platter\u2019s highest achiever, having also been best-performing winery in 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2020.<\/p>\n
The Editor\u2019s Award Winery of the Year<\/u> recognises a winegrowing individual or team who, based on performance in the current edition as well as their track record, are ambassadors par excellence for South African wine. This year the award goes to Cape Winemakers Guild member Duncan Savage and his Cape Town boutique winery Savage Wines, achieving five such rankings this year, \u2018proving Duncan\u2019s consistency as a trailblazer and undoubtedly one of the Cape\u2019s foremost winemakers\u2019.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
The Newcomer Winery of the Year<\/u> is awarded to the producer who debuts in Platter\u2019s this year and achieves the highest scores. The recipient is Trade Winds Wine, owned by friends and long-time serious wine aficionados Martin Voigt and Richard Wells, with a five-star Cabernet Sauvignon blended by Colin Frith, an honorary Cape Wine Master and one of the most experienced men-about-the-winelands.<\/p>\n
\u2018Wines receiving the sought-after five-star rating in Platter\u2019s undergo a rigorous process of sighted and blind assessment (i.e. with and without sight of the label) by a team of experienced experts. Bottlings that are judged to be \u201cSuperlative, a South African classic\u201d are given the highest ranking of five stars, equal to 95 points or better on the 100-point rating scale<\/i>\u2019, Platter\u2019s explains.<\/p>\n
Platter\u2019s writes that reflected in the five-star line-up this year are many of the key trends shaping South African wine today: \u2018the revival and reinterpretation of traditional varieties such as Cinsault and Semillon, and adoption of heat-tolerant varieties like Grenache Noir; red wines with lighter textures and lower alcohol; clay and concrete vessels as alternatives to oak for ferment and\/or ageing; and \u2018deconstruction\u2019, where different sites and even clones of the same grape variety are bottled separately.\u00a0Another relatively recent development mirrored in the ratings is the release of minuscule special bottlings of an experimental nature, sometimes literally one barrel, intended to explore a particular grape variety, site and\/or winegrowing technique, or sometimes simply express the winemakers\u2019 personality or vision\u2019<\/i> says Philip van Zyl, managing director and editor of Platter\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s always a pleasure to see new names make their debut in the guide at the highest levels of quality, and established ones achieve their first Platter\u2019s five-star rating.\u00a0South Africa continues to impress wine-lovers and -collectors around the world with its outstanding quality, along with diversity, character and interest. The fact that many pinnacle wines in our guide are tagged as good value is a massive plus for consumers in challenging economic times.\u00a0We are delighted and very proud of our line-up and would like to take the opportunity to congratulate all the producers on their stellar achievement\u2019.<\/i><\/p>\n
The winning wine in each of the categories are as follows:<\/p>\n
Cabernet Franc<\/u>
\nMulderbosch Single Vineyard 2019<\/p>\n
Cabernet Sauvignon<\/u>
\nLe Riche Reserve 2019<\/p>\n
Cinsault<\/u>
\nRall 2021<\/p>\n
Grenache Noir<\/u>
\nKruger Old Vines 2020<\/p>\n
Merlot<\/u>
\nLongridge Misterie 2017<\/p>\n
Petit Verdot<\/u>
\nBenguela Cove Vinography 2020<\/p>\n
Pinotage<\/u>
\nKanonkop Black Label 2020<\/p>\n
Pinot Noir<\/u>
\nCap Maritime 2021<\/p>\n
Shiraz\/Syrah<\/u>
\nPatatsfontein Sons of Sugarland Syrah 2021<\/p>\n
Red Blends, Cape Bordeaux<\/u>
\nFleur du Cap Laszlo 2019<\/p>\n
Red Blends, with Pinotage<\/u>
\nBeyerskloof Faith 2018<\/p>\n
Red Blends, Shiraz\/Syrah-based<\/u>
\nSadie Columella 2020<\/p>\n
Red Blends, Other<\/u>
\nLeeu Passant Dry Red 2019<\/p>\n
Chardonnay<\/u>
\nHamilton Russell 2021<\/p>\n
Chenin blanc<\/u>
\nMullineux CWG Trifecta 2020<\/p>\n
H\u00e1rslevel\u00fc<\/u>
\nLemberg 202<\/p>\n
Sauvignon Blanc<\/u>
\nBartho Eksteen Houtskool 2021<\/p>\n
Semillon<\/u>
\nThorne & Daughters Paper Kite 2021<\/p>\n
White Blends, Cape Bordeaux<\/u>
\nBenguela Cove Vinography Semillon-Sauvignon
\nBlanc 2021<\/p>\n
White Blends, Other<\/u>
\nSadie \u2018T Voetpad 2021<\/p>\n
Cap Classique<\/u>
\nAnthonij Rupert L\u2019Ormarins Private Cuv\u00e9e 2014<\/p>\n
Dessert Wine, Fortified<\/u>
\nDe Krans Muscat Blanc 2022<\/p>\n
Natural Sweet<\/u>
\nKlein Constantia Vin de Constance 2018<\/p>\n
Noble Late Harvest<\/u>
\nPaul Cl\u00fcver Riesling 2021<\/p>\n
Vin de Paille<\/u>
\nMullineux Olerasay Straw Wine NV<\/p>\n
Port-style<\/u>
\nBoplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2020<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The five-star Platter\u2019s wines for 2023 are:<\/p>\n
Cabernet Franc<\/b>
\nBotanica Big Flower 2020
\nDavid Finlayson Camino Africana 2020
\nMulderbosch Single Vineyard 2019
\nWarwick 2019<\/p>\n
Cabernet Sauvignon<\/b>
\nBartinney Skyfall 2017
\nBenguela Cove Vinography 2019
\nErika Obermeyer Erika O 2019
\nKanonkop 2018
\nLe Riche Reserve 2019
\nMiles Mossop Maximilian CWG 2019
\nNederburg Manor House 2019
\nRestless River Main Road & Dignity 2019
\nReyneke Biodynamic Reserve 2019
\nRickety Bridge The Bridge 2020
\nStark-Cond\u00e9 Oude Nektar 2019
\nTrade Winds 2019<\/p>\n
Cinsault<\/b>
\nKleine Zalze Project Z 2021
\nLeeu Passant Basson 2020
\nRall 2021
\nRickety Bridge Paulina\u2019s Reserve Old Vine 2021<\/p>\n
Grenache Noir<\/b>
\nAA Badenhorst Raaigras 2021
\nDavid & Nadia 2021
\nKruger Old Vines 2020
\nMischa Reserve 2021
\nMomento 2020<\/p>\n
Merlot<\/b>
\nLongridge Misterie 2017
\nPetit Verdot
\nBenguela Cove Vinography 2021<\/p>\n
Pinotage<\/b>
\nBeeslaar 2020
\nDe Grendel Amandelboord 2020
\nDiemersdal Prospect 2020
\nFrancois van Niekerk 2020
\nillimis 2021
\nKaapzicht Steytler 2020
\nKanonkop Black Label 2020
\nSurvivor Reserve 2020<\/p>\n
Pinot Noir<\/b>
\nBosman Hermanus 2021
\nCap Maritime 2021
\nCreation The Art of Pinot Noir 2021
\nCrystallum Bona Fide 2021
\nCrystallum Cuv\u00e9e Cin\u00e9ma 2021
\nCrystallum Mabalel 2021
\nKara-Tara Reserve 2020
\nOak Valley South Ridge PN667 2020
\nStorm Vrede 2021<\/p>\n
Shiraz\/Syrah<\/b>
\nBoschkloof Epilogue 2020
\nDe Grendel Elim Shiraz 2020
\nDe Grendel Op die Berg Syrah 2021
\nHarry Hartman Somesay 2021
\nHartenberg The Stork 2019
\nKeermont Topside Syrah 2017
\nMullineux Jakkalsfontein Granite Syrah 2020
\nMullineux Iron Kasteelsig Syrah 2020
\nMullineux Schist Roundstone Syrah 2020
\nMullineux Syrah 2020
\nPatatsfontein Sons of Sugarland Syrah 2021
\nRall Ava Syrah 2021
\nSavage CWG Syrah 2020
\nSavage Girl Next Door 2021
\nSavage Red 2020
\nWolf & Woman Syrah 2021<\/p>\n
Red Blends, Cape Bordeaux<\/b>
\nAll\u00e9e Bleue L\u2019Amour Toujours 2017
\nAlto MPHS 2016
\nDarling Cellars Sir Charles Darling 2019
\nFleur du Cap Laszlo 2019
\nGlenelly Lady May 2018
\nHartenberg The Mackenzie 2017
\nJordan Cobblers Hill 2018
\nJordan Sophia 2017
\nKeet First Verse 2019
\nMarianne Desirade 2019
\nOvergaauw Tria Corda 2019
\nStellenrust Timeless 2019
\nStony Brook The Max 2019
\nThelema Rabelais 2020
\nVan Biljon Cinq 2018
\nVondeling Philosophie 2017
\nWoolworths Cobblers Hill 2018<\/p>\n
Red Blends, with Pinotage<\/b>
\nBeyerskloof Faith 2018
\nRed Blends, Shiraz\/Syrah-based
\nArtiSons JJ Handmade Eight Pillars 2019
\nEllerman House The Ellerman 2020
\nSadie Columella 2020<\/p>\n
Red Blends, Other<\/b>
\nBlackwater Sophie Cabernet Franc-Cinsaut 2021
\nDe Trafford Elevation 393 2016
\nFairview Homtini 2019
\nLeeu Passant Dry Red 2019
\nLeopard\u2019s Leap Pardus 2020
\nMarianne Flor\u00e9al 2019
\nVan Wyk Rebecca May 2021<\/p>\n
Chardonnay<\/b>
\nBartinney Hourglass 2020
\nCapensis Fijnbosch 2018
\nCreation Glenn\u2019s Chardonnay 2021
\nDavid Finlayson Shale Terraces 2021
\nDelaire Graff Terraced Block 2021
\nDraaiboek Onskuld 2021
\nGlenWood Grand Duc 2020
\nGlenWood Vigneron\u2019s Selection 2021
\nHamilton Russell 2021
\nJordan Nine Yards 2021
\nLeeu Passant Stellenbosch 2020
\nLongridge Organic Clos du Ciel 2018
\nNewton Johnson CWG Sandford 2020
\nOak Valley South Ridge CY95 2020
\nOak Valley Groenlandberg 2021
\nOldenburg 2021
\nRichard Kershaw Elgin 2020
\nRichard Kershaw Kogelberg Sandstone CY76 2020
\nRichard Kershaw Lower Duivenhoks River 2020
\nStorm Ridge 2021
\nTokara Reserve 2021
\nWarwick The White Lady 2021<\/p>\n
Chenin Blanc<\/b>
\nAlheit Cartology 2021
\nAlheit Fire by Night 2021
\nBellingham The Bernard Series 2021
\nBosman Family Optenhorst 2021
\nBotanica Mary Delany Collection 2021
\nCatherine Marshall Fermented in Clay 2021
\nCederberg Five Generations 2021
\nDavid & Nadia 2021
\nDavid & Nadia Plat\u2019bos 2021
\nDavid & Nadia Skaliekop 2021
\nDeMorgenzon Reserve 2021
\nEenzaamheid 2020
\nJC Wickens Swerwer 2021
\nKaapzicht Kliprug 2021
\nLeeuwenkuil White 2020
\nMetzer & Holfeld Montane 2021
\nMullineux CWG Trifecta 2020
\nMullineux Granite Eikelaan 2021
\nOld Road Wine Company Stone Trail 2020
\nRaats CWG The Fountain 2021
\nRall Ava 2021
\nSadie Mev. Kirsten 2021
\nSakkie Mouton Revenge Of The Crayfish 2021
\nSavage Never Been Asked To Dance 2021
\nScions of Sinai Granietsteen 2021
\nStark-Cond\u00e9 Monk Stone 2021
\nStellenrust Old Bushvine 2021
\nWade Bales Breedekloof 2021<\/p>\n
H\u00e1rslevel\u00fc<\/b>
\nLemberg 2021<\/p>\n
Sauvignon Blanc<\/b>
\nAnthonij Rupert Altima 2022
\nBartho Eksteen CWG Vloekskoot 2021
\nBartho Eksteen Houtskool 2021
\nCederberg David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Wild Ferment 2021
\nDiemersdal The Journal 2021
\nDiemersdal Wild Horseshoe 2021
\nMarianne 2021
\nSteenberg The Black Swan 2021
\nThorne & Daughters Snakes & Ladders 2021
\nTrizanne Sondagskloof White 2021
\nVergelegen SV Schaapenberg 2020<\/p>\n
Semillon<\/b>
\nAnthonij Rupert Laing Groendruif 2021
\nBlack Elephant Vintners The Dark Side Of The Vine 2019
\nBoekenhoutskloof 2020
\nDe Kleine Wijn Ko\u00f6p Debutant White 2021
\nDe Kleine Wijn Ko\u00f6p Road to Santiago 2021
\nGabri\u00eblskloof Magdalena 2021
\nRickety Bridge The Pilgrimage 2020
\nThe Vineyard Party I\u2019m Your Huckleberry 2019
\nThorne & Daughters Paper Kite 2021<\/p>\n
White Blends, Cape Bordeaux<\/b>
\nBenguela Cove Vinography Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc 2021
\nDelaire Graff White Reserve 2020
\nMorgenster White Reserve 2021
\nSavage White 2021
\nWade Bales Constantia Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon 2021<\/p>\n
White Blends, Other<\/b>
\nAlheit Hemelrand Vine Garden 2021
\nBeaumont New Baby 2021
\nBellingham Freda 2021
\nCreation Viognier-Roussanne 2021
\nDavid & Nadia Aristargos 2021
\nKeermont Terrasse 2021
\nMullineux Old Vines White 2021
\nRall White 2021
\nSadie Skerpioen 2021
\nSadie Palladius 2020
\nSadie \u2018T Voetpad 2021
\nStark-Cond\u00e9 The Field Blend 2021
\nTempel Kattemaai Chenin Blanc-Semillon 2021
\nThe Ahrens Family The WhiteBlack 2020
\nThe Grapesmith Die Kluisenaar 2019
\nVuurberg White 2021<\/p>\n
Cap Classique<\/b>
\nAnthonij Rupert L\u2019Ormarins Blanc de Blancs 2017
\nAnthonij Rupert L\u2019Ormarins Private Cuv\u00e9e 2014
\nColmant Absolu Zero Dosage NV
\nSaltare Brut Ros\u00e9 NV
\nSilverthorn CWG Big Dog VIII 2017
\nSilverthorn Jewel Box 2017<\/p>\n
Dessert Wine, Fortified<\/b>
\nDe Krans Muscat Blanc 2022<\/p>\n
Natural Sweet<\/b>
\nKlein Constantia Vin de Constance 2018
\nNoble Late Harvest
\nDelheim Edelspatz 2020
\nMiles Mossop Kika 2021
\nPaul Cl\u00fcver Riesling 2021<\/p>\n
Vin de Paille<\/b>
\nFairview La Beryl Blanc 2022
\nMullineux Olerasay Straw Wine NV
\nZevenwacht Vine Dried Muscat Blanc 2019<\/p>\n
Port-style<\/b>
\nBoplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2020
\nKWV Cape Tawny NV<\/p>\n
Brandy<\/b>
\nBoplaas Potstill Reserve 20 Years
\nKWV Centenary
\nKWV Nexus
\nKWV 20 Year Old
\nKWV 15 Year Old Alambic
\nKWV 12 Year Old Barrel Select
\nKWV 10 Year Old Vintage
\nTokara XO Potstill
\nVan Ryn 20 Year Old Potstill
\nVan Ryn 15 Year Old Potstill
\nVan Ryn 12 Year Old Potstill<\/p>\n
Husk Spirit<\/b>
\nDalla Cia 10 Year Old Celebration Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whaletalesblog.com www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide\/Mein Kapstadt Guide, Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n