Winemag.co.za is pleased to release the fifth annual Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon Blend/Wooded Sauvignon Blanc Report (previously known as the White Hot Wine Awards).
The Graves sub-region of Bordeaux excels at under-stated, oak-aged dry whites from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. In simple terms, Sauvignon Blanc provides freshness while Semillon provides palate weight but when it comes to the best examples, it’s a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts.
Such blends are a niche category within South Africa but there is general agreement that overall quality is exceptionally high and our intention at Winemag.co.za is to provide these wines with the attention they deserve. For the first time, Wooded Sauvignon Blanc was included as some very exciting wines seem to be emerging in this category and they, too, bear comparison with Graves.
38 blends from 34 producers and 18 examples of Wooded Sauvignon Blanc from 15 producers were received for this year’s competition. 23 blends and 11 of the Wooded Sauvignon Blanc were rated 90 or higher on the 100-point quality scale and these were recognised during an event held at Nitida Cellars in Durbanville on Wednesday, 30 August.
The top wines were as follows:
93
Bizoe Henriëtta 2016
Gabrielskloof The Landscape Series Magdalena 2016
Highlands Road Sine Cera 2015
Nederburg Private Bin D252 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2016
Nitida Coronata Integration 2016 (BEST OVERALL)
92
Benguela Cove Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh 2016
Constantia Uitsig Natura Vista 2015
Fairview Drie Papens Fontein Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Mulderbosch Faithful Hound White 2015
Stellenzicht The Ratio 2015
91
David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner The Bowline 2015
90
Celestina Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2016
Constantia Glen TWO 2016
Creation Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2016
Delaire Graff White Reserve 2016
Glenwood Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2016
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve White 2015
Iona One Man Band 2016
Kevin King Bassey 2015
Nitida Coronata Integration 2015
Vergelegen GVB White 2014
Zorgvliet Simoné 2016
Wooded Sauvignon Blanc
93
Marianne 2016
Cape Point Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2015
92
Stark-Conde Round Mountain 2016
91
Klein Constantia Perdeblokke 2016
90
Authentique 2016
Glendirk 2016
Jordan The Outlier 2016
Klein Constantia Block 361 & 372 2015
Mulderbosch 1000 Miles 2015
Neil Ellis Amica 2016
Nitida Wild Child 2016
As producer of the best wine overall, Nitida won a new 225-litre Sylvain Blanc barrel worth over R12 800, from Tonnellerie Sylvain.
To read the report in full, go to Winemag.co.za.
Join the conversation and follow the action on twitter #SauvSemReport