Boplaas port has just smashed a hat-trick, having once again been named best in category overall at this year’s auspicious National Wine Challenge (NWC/Top 100 Wines). The competition, now in its fifteenth year, singled out the Boplaas Cape Tawny Colheita 2005, reaffirming the consistent quality underscoring wines from the family-owned winery in Calitzdorp.
The Boplaas Cape Tawny Colheita 2005 was named Grand Cru National Champion Best in Class in the NWC/Top 100 category for Sweet Wine, which incorporates fortifieds.
In addition, the Cape Vintage Reserve 2023 – another port-style wine – and the red blend Boplaas Family Reserve Ring of Rocks 2022, each received Double Platinum and inclusion in the competition’s list of the year’s Top 100 wines. Additional entries, the Boplaas Cape Vintage and Touriga Nacional Family Reserve, also did exceptionally well, netting Double Gold in their respective categories.
“The Challenge ranks among South Africa’s most esteemed competitions, which makes this achievement especially gratifying,” says Daniel Nel, co-marketing head at Boplaas. “Boplaas first planted Portuguese wine grape varieties in the 1970s and has spent decades working with them and studying the craft of these wines, particularly port. This award is another reflection of that journey.”
Boplaas made its first port in the 1980s having planted Portuguese varieties on the farm a decade earlier. Breaking away from the local industry’s traditional sweeter fortifieds, Boplaas pioneered a drier style more in line with the wines from their spiritual home of Portugal. Soon after, the awards began piling up, which has showcased not only the outstanding suitability of Calitzdorp for Portuguese varieties, but also the lifelong study the Nels have invested in crafting wines of world-class standard.
The Boplaas wines competed at the NWC/Top 100 again this year against hundreds of entries from across South Africa. They are adjudicated by a panel comprising international and local-experienced specialists, including a Cape Wine Master and Master of Wine. All wines are assessed blind. The highest scoring wines are included in the list of Top 100 with Double Platinum.
In 2024, the NWC/Top 100 judges awarded Boplaas the Best in Class title to the 2021 Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve. A year earlier, it was joint-winner as South Africa’s Best Port for the Cape Tawny Colheita 2007.
Boplaas Port – ever better with age
The Boplaas Cape Tawny Colheita 2005 is the first 20-year-old Tawny to be released by Boplaas. It follows the Cape Tawny Colheita 2007, the top achiever at the NWC/Top 100 in 2023. When it was 16 years of age, the 2005 vintage was named Tim Atkin’s Port of the Year as well.
Old Colheita Tawny Ports are internationally regarded as the pinnacle of the category. They are made from a single vintage and only the best of them continue to develop for decades and occasionally centuries. In South Africa, Boplaas remains a leader of this style.
Ring of Rocks – a symbol of power and symmetry
The Family Reserve Ring of Rocks that achieved glory at the NWC/Top 100 competition is a blend of Portuguese wine grape varieties, with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon. Its name reflects the power and symmetry that has given it consistent recognition from competition judges and wine connoisseurs alike.
The range, which also includes a white blend, is named after an assembly of boulders on the farm in Calitzdorp that was created as a nod to tradition and the prayers by ancient agrarians for bountiful harvests.
The red wine follows the 2021 vintage that received Double Gold at the NWC/Top 100 competition last year.
Cape Vintage Reserve 2023 – a must for the collector
“The greatest ports enjoy the most accessible value when they’re young,” says Daniel, reflecting on the achievement of the Cape Vintage Reserve 2023. “Most people buy port to enjoy soon after their purchase, and if it’s from Boplaas, it will be enjoyable. But take an extra few bottles to put away and you’ll be so much richer for the experience.”
This perspective is borne out with the young Cape Vintage Reserve 2023 having caught the eye of the NWC/Top 100 judges. Indeed, its tasting notes declare that “time will temper the fiery, fruity exuberance of youth and slowly unfurl the complexities of this fine Cape fortified”.
Inky black in colour with hints of purple-black on the rim, the wine shows a bouquet of crushed blackberries, tart cranberries, kirsch and blue violets.
Boplaas wines, ports and spirits are available at fine retailers across South Africa, and can also be ordered online from boplaas.co.za. Shipping is free on all orders over R2 000, and only available in South Africa. Get maximum benefits on Boplaas releases when you sign up – via the website – as a member of its wine and whisky club.
For more information, email admin@boplaas.co.za, call 044 213 3326 or visit boplaas.co.za.