New 2009 Platter's Guide Reveals Best South African Wines

Whose wine is the finest of them all - the latest edition of the definitive guide to South African wine reveals all...

The 2009 edition of the John Platter's Guide, South Africa's original and still best-selling wine annual, was unwrapped in Stellenbosch on 13 November along with the names of the five-star wines and the coveted awards for Superquaffer, Wine and Winery of the Year.

Now in its 29th year, Platter’s is the definitive guide to who’s who and what’s what in South African wine, with comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of most currently available brands, as well as wine cellars, winelands restaurants and accommodation, tourist attractions and more.

For the new edition, the guide’s tasting panel reviewed some 6,400 individual wines and in the process identified 85 wines as potentially worthy of the maximum five star rating. After a further round of tasting, a record 33 labels received the sought-after top grading, making them truly the crème de la crème of South African wines for 2009.

The 2009 Platter’s Guide five-star recipients are:

Cabernet Franc
- Buitenverwachting 2005
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Boekenhoutskloof 2006
- Kanonkop 2004
- Thelema The Mint 2006

Pinot Noir
- Meerlust 2004

Pinotage
- Simonsig Redhill 2006

Shiraz
- Boekenhoutskloof 2006
- De Trafford 2006
- Eagles’ Nest 2006
- Hartenberg The Stork 2005
- Signal Hill Clos d’Oranje 2006

Red Blends
- De Toren Fusion V 2006
- De Trafford CWG Perspective 2005
- Kaapzicht Steytler Vision 2005
- Morgenster 2005
- Vilafonté Series C 2006
- Waterford CWG Auction Reserve 2004
- Chardonnay
- Ataraxia 2007
- Jordan CWG Auction Reserve 2006
- Uva Mira Single Vineyard 2007

Chenin Blanc
- Ken Forrester The FMC 2006

Sauvignon Blanc
- Quoin Rock The Nicobar 2007
- Semillon
- Constantia Uitsig 2007

White Blends
- Cape Point Isliedh 2007
- Nederburg Ingenuity White 2007
- Sterhuis Astra White 2006
- Tokara White 2007

Dessert Wine, Unfortified
- Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2007
- Klein Constantia Rhine Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2006
- Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards Vin Pi Two NV

Dessert Wine, Fortified
- Mons Ruber Muscat d’Alexandrie Jerepigo 1997

Port
- Boplaas Vintage Reserve 2006
- De Krans Vintage Reserve 2006

During the second round of tasting for five stars, the label which emerges as the clear leader is singled out for special praise as the Wine of the Year.

For the 2009 edition, the front runner (and only the guide’s 5th Wine of the Year) is the Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2004.

The guide’s other major award, Winery of the Year, is made by the editor after considering a variety of consumer-driven criteria, the aim being to spotlight a winery which epitomises the best of South African winegrowing today.

"One winery deserves special recognition. For decades it has maintained exemplary standards, remained focused and true to its terroir amid the vagaries of fashion, and produced classic, elegant, world-class wines, even in less conducive vintages. It is our privilege to honour Kanonkop Estate as Winery of the Year 2009," said editor Philip van Zyl.

In a continuing focus on highlighting value-for-money wines, Platter's tasters identify a number of entry-level wines which are exceptionally drinkable and well priced. The best of these, like the five-star candidates, go into a second round of tasting to select the Superquaffer of the Year. For the second year running, Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2008 heads the list of ultimate easy sippers.

New, tourist-friendly features of the 2009 edition include GPS coordinates for most wineries open to the public by appointment or at set hours. 

If South African wine and the Cape winelands are of interest to you, then subscribe to our Editor’s Picks Newsletter , browse our Wine and Lunch section and ourCape Winelands section for a comprehensive selection of wine news and Cape Winelands activities.

Read More