Esh Naidoo (Diner's Club) and Philip van Zyl (Platter's managing director & editor) with Chris and Andrea Mullineux of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, the Platter's 2023 Top Performing Winery of the Year.
The announcement was made at the launch of the top-selling and collectible hardback guide, featuring a stunning cover design, the first with an elegant white background, with touches of always-stylish rose gold.
The new-look hardcover book was introduced at a bespoke function in Stellenbosch on Thursday 17 November 2022. The digital version of Platter’s, available on the apps for iOS/Apple and Android, and on the website, www.wineonaplatter.com, was launched at the same event.
This 43rd edition of South Africa’s favourite wine guide features well over 900 producers, merchants and brands, including 37 new ones, and over 8,000 locally produced wines, as well as brandies, husk spirits and sherry-style wines.
A highlight of any new edition is the trio of prestigious Winery of the Year awards, the highest accolades bestowed by Platter’s. The Top Performing Winery of the Year goes to the winery that achieves the most five-star ratings after the annual final tasting round. This year the worthy recipient is Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, with an astonishing run of eight five-star results. This is the stellar Swartland-based venture’s fifth time as Platter’s highest achiever, having been best-performing winery in 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2020.
The Editor’s Award Winery of the Year 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. Last year Savage Wines achieved a remarkable seven five-star ratings. An amazing five such rankings this year, once again proving Duncan’s consistency as a trailblazer and undoubtedly one of the Cape’s foremost winemakers.
Esh Naidoo (Diner's Club) and Philip van Zyl (Platter's managing director & editor) with Duncan Savage of Savage Wines, winner of Platter's 2023 Editor's Award Winery of the Year.
The Newcomer Winery of the Year is awarded to the producer who debuts in Platter’s this year and achieves the highest scores. The well-deserved recipient of this distinction is Trade Winds Wine, owned by friends and long-time serious wine aficionados Martin Voigt and Richard Wells, with a brilliant five-star Cabernet Sauvignon blended by Colin Frith, an honorary Cape Wine Master and one of the most experienced men-about-the-winelands.
Wines receiving the sought-after five-star rating in Platter’s must 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 “Superlative, a South African classic” are given the highest ranking of five stars, equal to 95 points or better on the 100-point rating scale.
Platter's 2023 category winners
Of the 5-star-awarded wines, the top performers within each category receive the coveted accolade, Wines of the Year. This time there are 26 category winners. They are:
Cabernet Franc
Mulderbosch Single Vineyard 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon
Le Riche Reserve 2019
Cinsault
Rall 2021
Grenache Noir
Kruger Old Vines 2020
Merlot
Longridge Misterie 2017
Petit Verdot
Benguela Cove Vinography 2020
Pinotage
Kanonkop Black Label 2020
Pinot Noir
Cap Maritime 2021
Shiraz/Syrah
Patatsfontein Sons of Sugarland Syrah 2021
Red Blends, Cape Bordeaux
Fleur du Cap Laszlo 2019
Red Blends, with Pinotage
Beyerskloof Faith 2018
Red Blends, Shiraz/Syrah-based
Sadie Columella 2020
Red Blends, Other
Leeu Passant Dry Red 2019
Chardonnay
Hamilton Russell 2021
Chenin blanc
Mullineux CWG Trifecta 2020
Hárslevelü
Lemberg 2021
Sauvignon Blanc
Bartho Eksteen Houtskool 2021
Semillon
Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite 2021
White Blends, Cape Bordeaux
Benguela Cove Vinography Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc 2021
White Blends, Other
Sadie ‘T Voetpad 2021
Cap Classique
Anthonij Rupert L’Ormarins Private Cuvée 2014
Dessert Wine, Fortified
De Krans Muscat Blanc 2022
Natural Sweet
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2018
Noble Late Harvest
Paul Clüver Riesling 2021
Vin de Paille
Mullineux Olerasay Straw Wine NV
Port-style
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2020
Platter's 2023 five-star wines
The 196 five-star wines for 2023 are:
Cabernet Franc
- Botanica Big Flower 2020
- David Finlayson Camino Africana 2020
- Mulderbosch Single Vineyard 2019
- Warwick 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon
- Bartinney Skyfall 2017
- Benguela Cove Vinography 2019
- Erika Obermeyer Erika O 2019
- Kanonkop 2018
- Le Riche Reserve 2019
- Miles Mossop Maximilian CWG 2019
- Nederburg Manor House 2019
- Restless River Main Road & Dignity 2019
- Reyneke Biodynamic Reserve 2019
- Rickety Bridge The Bridge 2020
- Stark-Condé Oude Nektar 2019
- Trade Winds 2019
Cinsault
- Kleine Zalze Project Z 2021
- Leeu Passant Basson 202
- Rall 2021
- Rickety Bridge Paulina’s Reserve Old Vine 2021
Grenache Noir
- AA Badenhorst Raaigras 2021
- David & Nadia 2021
- Kruger Old Vines 2020
- Mischa Reserve 2021
- Momento 2020
Merlot
Petit Verdot
- Benguela Cove Vinography 2020
Pinotage
- Beeslaar 2020
- De Grendel Amandelboord 2020
- Diemersdal Prospect 2020
- Francois van Niekerk 2020
- illimis 2021
- Kaapzicht Steytler 2020
- Kanonkop Black Label 2020
- Survivor Reserve 2020
Pinot Noir
- Bosman Hermanus 2021
- Cap Maritime 2021
- Creation The Art of Pinot Noir 2021
- Crystallum Bona Fide 2021
- Crystallum Cuvée Cinéma 2021
- Crystallum Mabalel 2021
- Kara-Tara Reserve 2020
- Oak Valley South Ridge PN667 2020
- Storm Vrede 2021
Shiraz/Syrah
- Boschkloof Epilogue 2020
- De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2020
- De Grendel Op die Berg Syrah 2021
- Harry Hartman Somesay 2021
- Hartenberg The Stork 2019
- Keermont Topside Syrah 2017
- Mullineux Jakkalsfontein Granite Syrah 2020
- Mullineux Iron Kasteelsig Syrah 2020
- Mullineux Schist Roundstone Syrah 2020
- Mullineux Syrah 2020
- Patatsfontein Sons of Sugarland Syrah 2021
- Rall Ava Syrah 2021
- Savage CWG Syrah 2020
- Savage Girl Next Door 2021
- Savage Red 2020
- Wolf & Woman Syrah 2021
Red Blends, Cape Bordeaux
- Allée Bleue L’Amour Toujours 2017
- Alto MPHS 2016
- Darling Cellars Sir Charles Darling 2019
- Fleur du Cap Laszlo 2019
- Glenelly Lady May 2018
- Hartenberg The Mackenzie 2017
- Jordan Cobblers Hill 2018
- Jordan Sophia 2017
- Keet First Verse 2019
- Marianne Desirade 2019
- Overgaauw Tria Corda 2019
- Stellenrust Timeless 2019
- Stony Brook The Max 2019
- Thelema Rabelais 2020
- Van Biljon Cinq 2018
- Vondeling Philosophie 2017
- Woolworths Cobblers Hill 2018
Red Blends, with Pinotage
Red Blends, Shiraz/Syrah-based
- ArtiSons JJ Handmade Eight Pillars 2019
- Ellerman House The Ellerman 2020
- Sadie Columella 2020
Red Blends, Other
- Blackwater Sophie Cabernet Franc-Cinsaut 2021
- De Trafford Elevation 393 2016
- Fairview Homtini 2019
- Leeu Passant Dry Red 2019
- Leopard’s Leap Pardus 2020
- Marianne Floréal 2019
- Van Wyk Rebecca May 2021
Chardonnay
- Bartinney Hourglass 2020
- Capensis Fijnbosch 2018
- Creation Glenn’s Chardonnay 2021
- David Finlayson Shale Terraces 2021
- Delaire Graff Terraced Block 2021
- Draaiboek Onskuld 2021
- GlenWood Grand Duc 2020
- GlenWood Vigneron’s Selection 2021
- Hamilton Russell 2021
- Jordan Nine Yards 2021
- Leeu Passant Stellenbosch 2020
- Longridge Organic Clos du Ciel 2018
- Newton Johnson CWG Sandford 2020
- Oak Valley South Ridge CY95 2020
- Oak Valley Groenlandberg 2021
- Oldenburg 2021
- Richard Kershaw Elgin 2020
- Richard Kershaw Kogelberg Sandstone CY76 2020
- Richard Kershaw Lower Duivenhoks River 2020
- Storm Ridge 2021
- Tokara Reserve 2021
- Warwick The White Lady 2021
Chenin Blanc
- Alheit Cartology 2021
- Alheit Fire by Night 2021
- Bellingham The Bernard Series 2021
- Bosman Optenhorst Chenin Blanc 2021
- Botanica Mary Delany Collection 2021
- Catherine Marshall Fermented in Clay 2021
- Cederberg Five Generations 2021
- David & Nadia 2021
- David & Nadia Plat’bos 2021
- David & Nadia Skaliekop 2021
- DeMorgenzon Reserve 2021
- Eenzaamheid 2020
- JC Wickens Swerwer 2021
- Kaapzicht Kliprug 2021
- Leeuwenkuil White 2020
- Metzer & Holfeld Montane 2021
- Mullineux CWG Trifecta 2020
- Mullineux Granite Eikelaan 2021
- Old Road Wine Company Stone Trail 2020
- Raats CWG The Fountain 2021
- Rall Ava 2021
- Sadie Mev. Kirsten 2021
- Sakkie Mouton Revenge Of The Crayfish 2021
- Savage Never Been Asked To Dance 2021
- Scions of Sinai Granietsteen 2021
- Stark-Condé Monk Stone 2021
- Stellenrust Old Bushvine 2021Wade Bales Breedekloof 2021
Hárslevelü
Sauvignon Blanc
- Anthonij Rupert Altima 2022
- Bartho Eksteen CWG Vloekskoot 2021
- Bartho Eksteen Houtskool 2021
- Cederberg David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Wild Ferment 2021
- Diemersdal The Journal 2021
- Diemersdal Wild Horseshoe 2021
- Marianne 2021
- Steenberg The Black Swan 2021
- Thorne & Daughters Snakes & Ladders 2021
- Trizanne Signature Wines Sondagskloof White 2021
- Vergelegen SV Schaapenberg 2020
Semillon
- Anthonij Rupert Laing Groendruif 2021
- Black Elephant Vintners The Dark Side Of The Vine 2019
- Boekenhoutskloof 2020
- De Kleine Wijn Koöp Debutant White 2021
- De Kleine Wijn Koöp Road to Santiago 2021
- Gabriëlskloof Magdalena 2021Rickety Bridge The Pilgrimage 2020
- The Vineyard Party I’m Your Huckleberry 2019
- Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite 2021
White Blends, Cape Bordeaux
- Benguela Cove Vinography Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc 2021
- Delaire Graff White Reserve 2020
- Morgenster White Reserve 2021
- Savage White 2021
- Wade Bales Constantia Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon 2021
White Blends, Other
- Alheit Hemelrand Vine Garden 2021
- Beaumont New Baby 2021
- Bellingham Freda 2021
- Creation Viognier-Roussanne 2021
- David & Nadia Aristargos 2021
- Keermont Terrasse 2021
- Mullineux Old Vines White 2021
- Rall White 2021
- Sadie Skerpioen 2021
- Sadie Palladius 2020
- Sadie ‘T Voetpad 2021
- Stark-Condé The Field Blend 2021
- Tempel Kattemaai Chenin Blanc-Semillon 2021
- The Ahrens Family The WhiteBlack 2020
- The Grapesmith Die Kluisenaar 2019
- Vuurberg White 2021
Cap Classique
- Anthonij Rupert L’Ormarins Blanc de Blancs 2017
- Anthonij Rupert L’Ormarins Private Cuvée 2014
- Colmant Absolu Zero Dosage NV
- Saltare Brut Rosé NV
- Silverthorn CWG Big Dog VIII 2017
- Silverthorn Jewel Box 2017
Dessert Wine, Fortified
- De Krans Muscat Blanc 2022
Natural Sweet
- Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2018
Noble Late Harvest
- Delheim Edelspatz 2020
- Miles Mossop Kika 2021
- Paul Clüver Riesling 2021
Vin de Paille
- Fairview La Beryl Blanc 2022
- Mullineux Olerasay Straw Wine NV
- Zevenwacht Vine Dried Muscat Blanc 2019
Port-style
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2020
KWV Cape Tawny NV
Brandy
- Boplaas Potstill Reserve 20 Years
- KWV Centenary
- KWV Nexus
- KWV 20 Year Old
- KWV 15 Year Old Alambic
- KWV 12 Year Old Barrel Select
- KWV 10 Year Old Vintage
- Tokara XO Potstill
- Van Ryn 20 Year Old Potstill
- Van Ryn 15 Year Old Potstill
- Van Ryn 12 Year Old Potstill
Husk Spirit
- Dalla Cia 10 Year Old Celebration Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot
With 28 five stars, Chenin Blanc continues its remarkable performance of recent years and, in a significant development, now not only equals the number of five-star Red Blends but also surpasses the White Blends category’s 21 maximum ratings.
Together, however, the Blended class (Red and White) remains a powerhouse of quality, responsible for a quarter of all the five-star ratings.
Another category building on an improved base is Chardonnay, adding three 95+ ratings to last year’s 19. Other strong performers are Shiraz/Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 16 and 12 wines respectively.
Reflected in the five-star line-up are many of the key trends shaping South African wine today, such as the 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 ‘deconstruction’, where different sites and even clones of the same grape variety are bottled separately.
“Another 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’ personality or vision,” says Philip van Zyl, managing director and editor of Platter’s.
“It’s 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’s five-star rating.
“South 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.
“We 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.”
Also noteworthy are the 291 Highly Recommended wines and brandies, which narrowly missed five stars but are nonetheless extremely fine and collectable, earning a rating of 94 on the 100-point scale.
Philip van Zyl continues: “The guide’s descriptions and ratings, compiled in association with a team of leading experts, make it easy to find the right wine for any occasion, while the good-value indicators highlight those bottlings which are especially budget friendly across all quality levels.
“Red and white wines showing potential for cellaring are flagged by means of the Cellar Worthy icon, while wines which tasters feel are particularly worthy of note, being interesting, attractive, unique or representative of an important trend are highlighted with the Hidden Gems icon.
“This edition, we are very pleased to be reintroducing the Superquaffers, wines that we feel are exceptionally drinkable and well-priced. These uber-affordable and easy-drinking bottlings are identified by the smiley-faced icon.”
Platter’s 2023 also packs extensive information on where to go and what to do in wine country. Cellar door tasting options are covered in detail, along with many winery amenities, attractions and activities, plus dining and accommodation in Cape Town and the winelands. Easy-to-use maps and quick look-up tables provide invaluable help for visitors planning their own wineland rambles, while listings of specialised wine tour operators offer a variety of alternatives for those who prefer a guided experience.
Fully updated notes on the major winegrowing regions, grape varieties, winemaking styles, winetasting terms, and the major wine competitions and awards, as well as listings of wine educators country-wide form part of a wide-ranging offering.
As always, the guide is prefaced by an insightful and thought-provoking overview of important developments and trends in South Africa and the wider wine world.
Platter’s 2023 hardcover is available from selected bookstores and retailers nationwide from the end of November 2022. The recommended retail price is R399.00 inclusive of VAT.