The
finalists of the prestigious Diners Club Winemaker of the Year are
Christiaan Groenewald (New Cape Wines), Mary-Louise Nash (Black Pearl), William
Wilkinson (Wildekrans Wine Estate), Johan Malan (Simonsig), Johan Jordaan
(Spier Wines) and David Finlayson (Edgebaston).
This
year’s category for the Winemaker of the Year is non-Bordeaux red blends and
the winner will be announced at a black tie gala dinner at the La Residence
Hotel in Franschhoek on November 30, 2013. The event will be attended by a
veritable who's who of South African wine, including leading personalities of
the industry, Diners Club guests and finalists. The six finalists are competing
for the celebrated title of Diners Club Winemaker of the Year as well as two
return tickets to San Francisco, home of the premium wine-growing region of
Northern California. The Winemaker will also receive an allowance of R50 000.
Now
in its 33rd year, the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year is regarded as the
country’s most well-respected wine industry competition. The awards recognise
the art of making fine South African wines and celebrate the experts behind the
wine-making process.
About the finalists:
Mary-Louise Nash started
Black Pearl Wines in 2001, and the wines are still made and bottled in the
vineyard by the women of the family and their local all-female team.
Mary-Louise entered the BLACK PEARL ORO 2012 in this year's competition. It has
dark red berry fruits with cherries and plums in the front with spice and
liquorice following. Rich and full in the mouth with big structure, yet fine
balance. Firm but supple tannins. Will reward well with a few years in the
cellar.
William Wilkinson farms
in the Bot River Valley where a unique fynbos character is discernable in the
estate's red wines. His WILDEKRANS CAPE BLEND BARREL SELECT RESERVE 2011 has an
attractive, ripe dark berry nose with gorgeous perfumed notes in the
background; rich and creamy in the mouth with supple tannins. Developing all
the while with nuances of raspberry and mulberry appearing with some time. Lots
of potential over the next six to eight years.
Johan Malan's
family have been vintners since the first Huguenot Jacques Malan arrived in the
Cape in 1688. Johan has entered the SIMONSIG THE SMV 2012 in this year's award.
It features cherry, liquorice, vanilla, coffee and a smidgeon of anise. A wave
of lavender and dark rose fills in the background. Deep, rich and full in the
mouth with flavours following what the nose advertises. Great balance and
lively texture. Fine, supple tannins. Robust but elegant. Long, sustained
finish. Everything still in very youthful mode with loads of potential to
develop.
David Finlayson has
been making wine for 20 years and entered the EDGEBASTON THE PEPPER POT 2012.
The nose is packed with ripe berries and hints of fynbos and black pepper. Ripe
plum, mulberry and hints of prune with massive lavender backing. Hints of herb
and vanilla. Big, full-flavoured mouth with great, ever-developing, complexity.
Firm but supple tannins and excellent balance. Well-managed oak is there in
support. Very drinkable now, but will reward with a few more years of
cellaring.
Christiaan Groenewald entered
the wine industry as a manager at a wine export company before building a
cellar on Welgemoed in 2003 and starting to produce wine. His ARENDSKLOOF
TANNAT SYRAH VOETSPORE 2011 features in this year's Diner's Club competition.
The wine has a distinctly different nose packed with ripe plum, prunes and
hints of treacle and anise; rich red berry fruit with dark rose in the
background. Dark chocolate is there with hints of vanilla and cinnamon; some
tarry tones emerge at the edges. Firm tannins give great grip in a full,
ripe-fruited mouth. Great depth of flavours follow the nose with the addition
of clove and dark cherry. Beautifully managed oak. Long finish and loads of
potential.
Johan Jordaan is a
previous Diners Club Winemaker of the Year winner, having taken the title in
2011. He entered the SPIER CREATIVE BLOCK 3 2010 with its super-attractive nose
that leaves no doubt its components are from the Rhône. Dense, ripe red berry
and black fruit with hints of liquorice and lavender. Rich and full in the deep
mouth where all the ripe berry flavours are well offset by some dark chocolate.
Super, supple tannins and great balance. Well-judged oak. Picks up momentum in
the mouth with palate becoming more concentrated and powerful. Worth watching
its development well into the future, yet very attractive now.
Caption: Clockwise on the picture is Mary-Louise Nash, Christiaan Groenewald, Johan Malan, William Wilkinson and David Finlayson.
Photographer:
Johan Wilke
Stylist:
Candice-Lee Kannemeyer
Hair
and Make-up: Candisty Lundall
Clothing:
Stuttafords (female); Carducci (male)