Nederburg scores top marks with UK critics

Friday, 17 May, 2013
Nederburg
Nederburg's 2011 Ingenuity White, an eight-way blend led by Sauvignon blanc, has been identified as one of South Africa's top white blends by Decanter, scoring 93 points, while Tim Atkin MW has given the same wine 94, in his newly released SA Report.
It was singled out by Decanter for its "Fresh, bright, lifted aromatics of white flowers and stone fruit," and described as "Tight, complex, (and having a ) firm palate with lifted spice (with a) Creamy texture (and as) Very well made and intriguing".

The wine was also rated five stars in the Platter's South African Wine Guide. Every vintage, since the launch of the maiden 2007, has earned a 5-star Platter ranking.

The 2011 blend comprises 35% Sauvignon blanc, 15% Semillon, 14% Chardonnay, 10% Chenin blanc, 8% Viognier, 2% Gewurztraminer and 2% Verdelho.

Nederburg's Ingenuity collection of limited-edition, unusual blends, forms the apex of the range and provides an "exciting opportunity for innovation", says cellar master Razvan Macici. The Ingenuity Red is an Italian-style blend of Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo, and has also been critically acclaimed, with Atkin scoring the 2009 vintage, 91.

"These are complex, layered wines styled to work extremely well as partners to food," adds the head of the Nederburg team, who earned the 2012 Diner's Club Winemaker of the Year title.

Atkin also scored Nederburg's 2011 Winemaster Reserve Noble Late Harvest, another Platter five-star wine, 93.

There were two others to which he gave high scores. Both from the recently released Heritage Heroes ensemble, they were the 2011 The Young Airhawk Sauvignon Blanc, with 91 and the 2011 The Anchorman Chenin Blanc with 90.

Last year Nederburg was judged the South African producer of the year at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

WineLand