{"id":50761,"date":"2013-11-09T10:05:12","date_gmt":"2013-11-09T08:05:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.whalecottage.com\/blog\/?p=50761"},"modified":"2013-11-11T21:29:25","modified_gmt":"2013-11-11T19:29:25","slug":"diners-club-platters-guide-sets-new-records-mullineux-leeu-new-winery-of-the-year-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/cape-town\/diners-club-platters-guide-sets-new-records-mullineux-leeu-new-winery-of-the-year-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"Diners Club Platter’s Guide 2014 sets new records, Mullineux new Winery of the Year!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\"Platter's<\/a>It was a boisterous Diners Club Platter’s South African Wines 2014 ‘prize-giving’ last night, with a record 80 wines receiving the much-desired 5 star accolade, selected blind-tasted from double the number of 5-star finalists. \u00a0It was an evening that honoured publisher Andrew McDowall, and saw new publisher JP Rossouw in action for the first time.<\/p>\n

A number of records were set last night, with the largest number of wines evaluated ever, at 7434, there being 49 new entries, and close to 900 producers of wine in the Guide. \u00a0After an absence, brandy and sherry-style wines were awarded again.<\/p>\n

On arrival, sipping Klein Constantia MCC, a number of well-known winemakers and estate owners were visible, giving one a taste of some of the 5 star winners, including last year’s Winery of the Year winner Gottfried Mocke of Cape Chamonix, Mike Ratcliffe of Warwick, Razvan Macici of Nederburg, Anthony Hamilton Russell, Johann Laubser of Delaire Graff, and Ginny Povall\u00a0of Botanica. \u00a0 \u00a0We commented that it was wonderful to see so many women winemakers amongst the top 5 star recipients! \u00a0Once we were allowed to enter the venue at the Vineyard Hotel, the wines were displayed in groups, for one to taste and to see the 5 star winners by their presence.<\/p>\n

David Hughes sang the praises of Andrew, and his direct involvement with 29 of the 34 Platter’s Wine Guides. \u00a0He described Andrew as a man ‘massive in character’<\/em>, who has a nickname ‘Grunter<\/em>‘, who got himself smuggled into a Nederburg Wine Auction via the boot of a car when he did not receive an invitation, who fell onto a cannon at the bottom of the steps of the Mount Nelson when he slid down the bannister at his 40th birthday party, a man one can trust when he gives you his word, ‘and a hell of a good guy<\/em>‘, warning JP that he has big boots to fill in taking over from Andrew. \u00a0There was roaring applause for Andrew.<\/p>\n

Andrew looked well, and his dry humour was on full form, saying that\"Platter's<\/a> the romance with Diners Club last year had led to marriage during the year. \u00a0He was full of praise for his ‘young, strong and virile’<\/em> successor JP. \u00a0He was proud that the edition was printed locally and not in Singapore. \u00a0He revealed the ‘Walker Bay blue’<\/em> cover, saying that they had considered calling it ‘Pendock sea sick’<\/em>, which brought the house down! \u00a0He praised editor Philip van Zyl as the ‘most ethical man’<\/em>, which led to applause from the floor. The 80 5 star winners include 7 brandies, up from 62 last year. \u00a0I asked Andrew what he would be doing with his time, and he said he wasn’t sure, but getting better at bridge is one of his goals.<\/p>\n

\"Platter's<\/a>The surprise of the evening for me was interacting with JP, not the friendliest person in the past, who appeared transformed and as outgoing as I have never seen before, coming to chat, sharing news about a new recommended restaurant opening, saying that he will not be publishing a Diners Club Rossouw’s Restaurants (part of the Platter’s publisher package is that they have bought his publication too) this year, and that he will not have enough time to do reviews going forward, but that he will appoint a team of tasters to do so for him.<\/p>\n

\"Platter's<\/a>The top news of the evening was that Winery of the Year 2014 went to Mullineux Family Wines, its\u00a0new company name Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and its association with Analjit Singh only having been announced a week ago. \u00a0It was a great shame that they did not attend, the function clashing with the Swartland Revolution in Riebeek-Kasteel, where they are based. \u00a0Viticulturist Rosa Kruger was a charming representative for Chris and Andrea \"Platter's<\/a>Mullineux, collecting their four 5 star certificates (as well as for Eben Sadie). \u00a0I asked Philip how they chose Mullineux & Leeu ahead of Cederberg and Nederburg, which also had four 5 star wines, and he explained that in the blind tastings the Mullineux wines had more ‘very good<\/em>‘ qualitative evaluations, and that they had been recognised with eleven 5 star wines in the past seven years. \u00a0 The Guide acknowledges the performance of the Mullineuxs as being a chance success, as both Chris and Andrea had different career plans (accounting for him, astronaut for her), and their success in the past seven years ‘places them firmly in the league of the greatest modern-era wineries<\/em>‘.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Red Wine of The Year\u00a0for 2014 was announced as Newton Johnson Windansea Pinot Noir 2012\u00a0(‘rich, fragrant, warmly sensuous’<\/em>, according to its evaluation), while the\u00a0White Wine of The Year for 2014\u00a0is\u00a0DeMorgenzon Maestro White 2012, a blend of Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, and Chardonnay (with an evaluation of ‘perfectly balanced for delicious current drinking or keeping’)<\/em>. \u00a0The Superquaffer of the Year for 2014 is Boland Kelder Five Climates 2013.<\/p>\n

Newton Johnson Vineyards scored three 3 five stars, while Cape Chamonix Wine Farm, DeMorgenzon, Fable Mountain Vineyards, Klein Constantia Estate, Kleine Zalze Wines, Sadie Family Wines, Stark-Cond\u00e9 Wines, Tokara, Reyneke Wines, and KWV each achieved two 5 stars. \u00a0First time 5 star wines are from\u00a0Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar, Chateau Naud\u00e9 Wine Creation, Eikendal Vineyards, Hilton Vineyards, Opstal Estate, Raats Family Wines, Richard Kershaw Wines, Sijnn, Silverthorn Wines, Spioenkop Wines, and Windmeul Cooperative Cellar.<\/p>\n

The 2014 Guide\u00a0includes descriptions and ratings of more than 60 brandies and husk spirits (grappas), as well as sherry-style wines. \u00a0The brandy ratings were done by Winnie Bowman and Tim James, with reference to Dave Hughes. \u00a0The sherry-style wines were assessed by Winnie Bowman and Christine Rudman. \u00a0The tasters for the wines were\u00a0Michael Fridjhon, Angela Lloyd, Cathy van Zyl, Winnie Bowman, Greg de Bruyn, Tim James, Christine Rudman, Meryl Weaver, David Biggs, David Clarke, Christian Eedes, Higgo Jacobs, Cathy Marston, Fiona McDonald, Ingrid Motteux, Greg Mutambe, J\u00f6rg Pf\u00fctzner, James Pietersen, and Dave Swingler.<\/p>\n

The 80 five star wines in Platter’s South African Wines 2014 are the following:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Cabernet Franc<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Raats Family 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Warwick 2010<\/b><\/p>\n

Cabernet Sauvignon<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Boekenhoutskloof 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Cederberg Five Generations 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ernie Els Proprietor\u2019s 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection 2010<\/p>\n

\u2022 Stark-Cond\u00e9 Three Pines 2011<\/b><\/p>\n

Pinotage<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Chateau Naud\u00e9 Le Vin de Fran\u00e7ois 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Rijk\u2019s Reserve 2009<\/p>\n

\u2022 Spioenkop \u20181900\u2019 2012<\/b><\/p>\n

Pinot Noir<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Newton Johnson Windansea 2012 (Red Wine of the Year)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Newton Johnson Family Vineyards 2012<\/b><\/p>\n

Shiraz\/Syrah<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Cederberg CWG Auction Reserve Teen die Hoog\u00a02011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Eagles\u2019 Nest 2010<\/p>\n

\u2022 Fable Syrah 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Hilton The Dalmatian 2010<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mont Destin Destiny 2009<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mullineux Family Schist Syrah 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mullineux Family Granite Syrah 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Rust en Vrede Single Vineyard Syrah 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Stark-Cond\u00e9 Three Pines Syrah 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Saronsberg 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Sijnn 2011<\/b><\/p>\n

Red Blends<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Chamonix Troika 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Eikendal Classique 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ken Forrester Three Halves 2009<\/p>\n

\u2022 Thelema Rabelais 2009<\/p>\n

\u2022 Windmeul Reserve Cape Blend 2012<\/b><\/p>\n

Chardonnay<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Chamonix Reserve 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Hamilton Russell 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Newton Johnson Family Vineyards 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Richard Kershaw Elgin Clonal Selection 2012<\/b><\/p>\n

Chenin Blanc<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Alheit Radio Lazarus 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Botanica Old Vine 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 DeMorgenzon Reserve 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jean Daneel Signature 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mullineux Family Schist 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Opstal Carl Everson 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Reyneke 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Sadie Family Skurfberg 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Stellenrust 48 Barrel Fermented 2012<\/b><\/p>\n

Grenache Blanc<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 The Foundry 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 AA Badenhorst Family CWG Auction Reserve White Grenache Vuilgoed 3 2012<\/b><\/p>\n

Roussanne<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Simonsig CWG Auction Reserve The Russety<\/p>\n

One 2012<\/b><\/p>\n

Sauvignon Blanc<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Cederberg David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Wild\u00a0Ferment 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Klein Constantia Perdeblokke 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mulderbosch 1000 Miles 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Tokara Walker Bay 2013<\/b><\/p>\n

Semillon<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Constantia Uitsig 2012<\/b><\/p>\n

White Blends<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Cape Point Isliedh 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Cederberg David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Bowline 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 David Aristargos 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 DeMorgenzon Maestro White 2012 (White Wine of the Year)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Fable Jackal Bird 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Fairview Nurok 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Flagstone Treaty Tree Reserve 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Nederburg Ingenuity 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Nitida Coronata Integration 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Rall 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Reyneke Reserve White 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Sadie Family Palladius 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 Tokara Director\u2019s Reserve 2012<\/b><\/p>\n

M\u00e9thode Cap Classique<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Klein Constantia Brut 2010<\/p>\n

\u2022 Silverthorn The Green Man Blanc de Blancs 2010<\/b><\/p>\n

Dessert Wine, Fortified<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Alvi\u2019s Drift Muscat de Frontignan White 2010<\/b><\/p>\n

Dessert Wine Unfortified<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Delheim Edelspatz Noble Late Harvest 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 KWV The Mentors Noble Late Harvest 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mullineux Family Straw Wine 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Nederburg Eminence 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Nederburg Edelkeur 2012<\/p>\n

\u2022 Nederburg Winemaster\u2019s Reserve Noble Late\u00a0Harvest 2012<\/p>\n

Port-Style<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Axe Hill Cape Vintage 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2011<\/p>\n

\u2022 KWV Cape Tawny NV<\/b><\/p>\n

Brandy<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Boplaas Potstill 20 Years Brandy<\/p>\n

\u2022 KWV 15 Year Old Alambic<\/p>\n

\u2022 KWV 20 Year Old<\/p>\n

\u2022 Oude Meester Souverein<\/p>\n

\u2022 Van Ryn 12 Year Distillers Reserve<\/p>\n

\u2022 Van Ryn 20 Year Collectors Reserve<\/p>\n

\u2022 Van Ryn Au.Ra<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Diners Club Platter’s South African Wines 2014, \u00a0<\/strong>www.wineonaplatter.com<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 Twitter: @Wineonaplatter R169,95. Available from mid-November.<\/p>\n

POSTSCRIPT 10\/11<\/strong>: \u00a0This Infographic by Winetimes<\/strong><\/span><\/a> gives a visual representation of the 2014 5 star wines: very large Stellenbosch wine region representation, and the majority are single variety wines.<\/p>\n

POSTSCRIPT 11\/11:<\/strong> \u00a0 Fleur du Cap PR agency GC Communications has sent a media release, informing us that the Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2012 is the seventh 5 star wine in a row.<\/p>\n

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com <\/a>Twitter: @WhaleCottage<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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