Boplaas Family Vineyards joined the podium of winners at the 20th SA Terroir Wine Awards last week, one of its ports having been selected as the judges’ overall favourite. Significantly, the wine – the only port to be awarded – came from the 2008 vintage, reaffirming the outstanding age-ability of Boplaas ports.
“We’re always grateful for recognition of our wines,” says Boplaas winemaker Margaux Nel, who accepted the award at the ceremony in Stellenbosch. “For us, time has always been the differentiator between good wines and great wines, so for a wine to excel and keep excelling so many years after harvest, speaks volumes. This explains where our winemaking focus lies – for us at Boplaas, it’s all about legacy and how heritage builds into the future.”
The SA Terroir Awards only considers entries certified as single-vineyard, estate-produced wine and from a ward or undivided district like Calitzdorp. Among the judges who assessed some 240 wines from over 55 producers, were Cape Wine Masters and highly regarded winemakers.
The Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2008 was made from a trio of varieties traditional to Portugal and which have long thrived in Calitzdorp - Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barocca and Souzão.
The Klein Karoo climate suits them as they require less water to ripen and are less sensitive to warmer weather.
Tinta Barocca was planted by accident when the late Nel Family patriarch, Danie, ordered Shiraz vines from a nursery in the Cape, but received the Portuguese variety instead. For 10 years he made wine without knowing until his son, Carel, while studying at Stelllenbosch University suspected the mix-up. His professor confirmed that he was right.
The winning Cape Vintage Reserve Port was made using traditional vinification while remaining true to the vintage style – to create a wine promising decades of enjoyment. In its youth, the wine showed volumes of spice, plenty of rich fruit character and tannin strength.
“After spending 15 years in the bottle, the wine has grown in stature, with no indication of decline,” says Margaux.
The 2008 also received five stars from Platter’s South African Wine Guide in 2011 and Double Gold at Veritas in 2010.
Far from being a one-hit wonder, it’s 2004 expression was named best fortified and rated 95 out of 100, by UK Master of Wine, Tim Atkin in 2021.
A selection of older vintages are available from the tasting room at the winery in Calitzdorp and can also be ordered online from boplaas.co.za. Shipping is free on all orders over R2 000 – an offer only available in South Africa. Get maximum benefits on Boplaas wine releases when you sign up as a member of its wine and whisky club.