The Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa?
October 22, 2008
The winners of the TOPS at SPAR Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 Awards have been announced and are as follows (in alphabetical order):
David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner 2008
Diemersdal Single Vineyard 2007
Graham Beck Pheasant’s Run 2008
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2007
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2008
Kumkani Lanner Hill 2007
Rietvallei Special Select Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Strandveld Vineyards 2008
Tokara Elgin 2007
Woolworths Reserve 2007 (Groote Post)For a full report of the wines click here.
Now the thing to note here is that some of these Sav Blancs are 2007’s - which means they have some ageing potential (albeit not for too long!).
The other thing to note is the regional diversity of the winners as well as confirmation of the fact that good Sav Blanc generally comes from cool climate growing area’s - in particular coastal regions.
I’m chuffed to see the Diemersdal Single Vineyard 20007 in there - it’s one of the only Sav Blancs I really enjoy.
As for the rest - well I haven’t tried any of them (mostly because I generally hate Sav Blanc) but I will endeavour to give some of thema go.
If any of you have tried some of them I’d welcome some feedback!
Posted in Awards, White Wine
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:54 am
Pheasant’s Run gets the thumbs up from me.
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
It’s really great to see that consumers are starting to realise the ageing potential of cool climate Sauvignon Blancs! I can assure you that some of those will last for much longer than just a year - we (at Steenberg Vinyeards) had a vertical tasting of our Sauvignon Blancs dating back to 1993 three days ago. They oldest wines were still alive, though not showing their best anymore. The real star was a 1996 Sauvignon Blanc, which showed freshness with good complexity from bottle age. Now, back to the Top 10: recently had Dawid Nieuwoudt’s Ghost Corner, Graham Beck Pheasant’s Run, and the Strandveld - all utterly delicious and highly recommendable - worht the splashing out! Admittedly, I do lean towards the Sauvignon Blancs from Elim (Strandveld and Ghost Corner). Enjoy!
October 24th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Never hate a wine Crumaster! You just need time together. I fell for a simple, relatively cheap Marlborough Nobilo Sav Blanc 06/07 many moons ago. £5.99 at Tesco. Its my favourite (apart from the Villa Maria Riesling Reserve) - tis the passionfruit and minerality in the finish that sets the hook.
http://www.villamaria.co.nz/search.php?wineid=271
October 27th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Hi anetha - thanks so much for the insighful comments - elim def seems to be sav blanc country, will have to investigate and visit the area!
Oracle - you are right, i shouldnt blanket my thoughts on a categry like that - I have truth be told had some relaly amazing sav blancs. one thing i’d like to note is that whenever i’ve enjoyed a sav blanc, it’s been with a meal.