There is an old stockman's adage "competition breeds best" and this quite possibly lies at the heart of the SA Young Wine Show - a competition where the latest vintage's wines are assessed blind by wine professionals in over 110 categories.
The SA Young Wine 2013 attracted 2060 entries from 135 producers, with Boplaas Family Vineyards being crowned SA Champion Port, and also picking up three trophies in the Port category winners, two gold medals for white Muscadel, a gold in the Sauvignon Blanc category and a final tally of 16 medals. This fine showing can only be attributed to the dedicated efforts of all the vineyard teams, cellar staff, farm manager Pieter Terblanche and winemakers Carel and Margaux Nel.
The dedicated efforts of crafting authentic Cape 'Port' styled fortifieds from Portuguese varietals continues to garner success with the Monis Trophy, the Dr AI Perold Trophy, AJ Conradie Trophy and SA Champion Port trophy all won by fortifieds crafted from traditional Portuguese Port varietals and traditional methods. The 2013 Vintage Ports are marked by exceptional colour, tannin structure, fruit concentration and complexity which will after barrel maturation, blending and bottling offer consumers enjoyment over the coming decades. A total of six gold medals were awarded across the four Port classes, with Boplaas accounting for three class winners and 5 gold medals.
Muscat de Frontignan has been crafted by the Nel's of Boplaas for generations with the skill and 'secrets' of crafting these wines that typify the Klein Karoo terroir being passed on from one generation to the next - this tradition continues with Margaux Nel at the helm of winemaking. Boplaas managed to clinch two gold medals of the 8 in total awarded to the white Muscadel category (Class 081 and Class 082).
Continuing the surprising success with Sauvignon Blanc - Boplaas having crafted the SA Champion Sauvignon Blanc at the SA Young Wine Show 2009 and 2010 - is a gold medal received by the maiden vintage of the Boplaas Family Reserve Bobbejaanberg 2013. The Bobbejaanberg Sauvignon Blanc was crafted from a parcel of vines terrorized by a troop of baboons and located at an elevation well in excess of 600m in the Outeniqua Mountain range of the Upper-Langkloof ward. The fruit was harvested the 2nd week of April, a mere 1400 bottles were crafted and this unique Sauvignon will be made available from the Boplaas cellar door mid-October.
Boplaas once again punched well above its weight and performed admirably with a final medal tally of 16 - 3 Class Winners, 5 Gold, 6 Silver and 2 Bronze. To experience Boplaas's wines, please visit our cellar door in Calitzdorp or visit our Cool Bay tasting room in Great Brak along the N2 near Mossel Bay or purchase our wines at leading national retailers.
Boplaas Family Vineyards, Calitzdorp - Tending vines & Crafting wines, since 1880