Boplaas receives inaugural Platters 5 Stars for Boplaas Potstill 20 Years Brandy

Tuesday, 12 November, 2013
Boplaas Family Vineyards
With the first Boplaas brandy being exported in 1880 and being the first “Estate Brandy” after the repeal of legislation, it might seem apt that Boplaas Family Vineyards receives one of only seven 5 Star ratings in Platters’ 2014 for the Boplaas Potstill 20 Years Brandy.

Nestled at the vinous heart of the Klein Karoo, Boplaas Family Vineyards boasts a fine heritage of crafting brandy stretching back to the very first export of Boplaas Brandy to London in 1880. The art of crafting fine potstill brandies was halted in the 1920’s due to legislation forbidding private producers to distill, but as soon as this law was repealed in 1989, Boplaas were the first to release an “Estate brandy” in 1994. It is quite apt in the inaugural inclusion of brandy in the Platter’s South African Wine Guide that Boplaas receive one of only seven 5 Star ratings for a Cape brandy and is also the only privately owned cellar in the list of illustrious nominees. The annual Platter’s this year garnered 7400 entries from 900 producers.

Double distilled, by Oupa Danie Nel, in a copper potstill from the finest Colombard rabat; blended by his son, Carel; slowly matured for twenty years in limousine barrique and bottled in 2011 by winemaking grand-daughter, Margaux – the Boplaas Potstill 20 Year Brandy completes an incredible cycle of patience, perseverance and dedication by three generations to the crafting of small batch lots of the finest potstill brandy. A mere 500 bottles resulted from the two decades of barrel maturation and these rare collector’s items are available exclusively from the Boplaas cellars at R1500 per bottle.

Platter’s recognition for Boplaas’s fine brandies comes on the back of an incredible double gold – one of only seven awarded - at the Veritas awards 2013 for the Boplaas 15 Year Reserve Brandy. Once again, Boplaas was the only private cellar to scoop one of the prestigious Veritas double gold medals & was the most successful private cellar, at this South Africa’s largest blind assessed wine show.

Unbeknownst to most, except those astute brandy aficionados, Boplaas also crafts the Carel Nel 5 Years Reserve Brandy, the potstill Boplaas 8 Years Brandy, the 15 Years Reserve Brandy & releases fine vintage potstill brandy under the Ox Wagon 1880 moniker at the Cape Winemaker’s Guild Auction.

To experience these fine brandies and the range of Boplaas wines, visit our cellar door in Calitzdorp or alternatively the Cool Bay tasting room in Great Brak River near Mosselbay. For more information visit www.boplaas.co.za, send us a mail to info@boplaas.co.za, give us a call on 044-2133326 or tweet us @Boplaas1880.

Boplaas brandy range Platter’s 2014 ratings:

5 Stars - Potstill 20 Years Brandy

4 ½ Stars - Carel Nel 15 Years Reserve Brandy & Postill 8 Years Brandy

3 ½ StarsCarel Nel 5 Years Reserve Brandy

Boplaas Family Vineyards, Calitzdorp – Tending vines & Crafting wines, since 1880