48 fine, rare wines for sale
HALLMARKS OF THE COLLECTION ARE QUALITY AND INNOVATION
Ameticulously curated collection of 48 individually crafted wines of great diversity and rarity, goes under the hammer at the 34th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction in Stellenbosch on September 29.
Innovation and consistency of quality stand out as the hallmark of this South African wine industry showcase that features small volumes of unique collectors’ wines all made exclusively for the auction by members of the Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG).
This year’s auction represents a more fine-tuned selection featuring abundant variety in smaller volumes compared with 2017.
The 2018 auction line-up comprises 31 red wines, 14 white wines, two Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) wines and one portstyle wine, making up the tally of 2 012 cases (six x 750ml case equivalent). Last year a total of 2 962 cases went under the hammer.
“Our Guild members are really focused on quality and innovation.
“There is a strong showing of traditionally styled wines, such as Cabernet blends, Shiraz and Pinot Noir, but it is great to see some members pushing the boundaries with unusual varieties such as Grenache Blanc, Mourvèdre and Tempranillo.
“The Nedbank CWG Auction is the ultimate showcase for our members who are serious about producing and selecting only the best quality, even if this results in a smaller auction,” says Boela Gerber, CWG chairperson.
In the 2018 line-up of 14 white wines, Chardonnay is once again the biggest category with five entries, followed by blends and Chenin Blanc with two each.
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Semillon Gris, Grenache Blanc and Riesling each have one wine on auction.
Bordeaux-style blends are the strongest category with eight wines in the red wine selection, which comprises 31 entries this year.
Next in line is Shiraz with six, followed by Pinot Noir with five wines. Cabernet Sauvignon and non-Bordeaux blends both have three wines on auction, with two Pinotages on offer.
The rest of the auction reds are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Mourvèdre and Tempranillo with one entry each.
Two vintage offerings make up the Méthode Cap Classique category this year. Pieter Ferreira’s Graham Beck Cuvée 105 ‘MGA’ Zero Dosage 2009 Pinot Noir Chardonnay Cap Classique owes its name to the 105 months (eight years and nine months) that the wine spent on the lees.
The other auction MCC is John Loubser’s Silverthorn Wines Big Dog IV Méthode Cap Classique 2013.
Port-style wine makes a comeback this year with Carel Nel’s Boplaas Cape Vintage Auction Reserve 2015. This vintage is widely held as one of the best years for Cape Vintage production in the last three decades.