Sauvignon Blanc Top 10
Sauvignon Blanc Top 10
audited ratings
About the category: Sauvignon Blanc possesses purity of fruit and lively acidity. It is the perfect aperitif but is also unobtrusive and refreshing when served with food, ideally suited to lighter, healthier meals. The Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre appellations in France's Loire Valley are famed for their versions of Sauvignon Blanc, while New Zealand has also established a well-deserved reputation for the variety in recent times.
Key findings: The third annual WINE magazine Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 competition attracted 226 entries, up from 186 last year and 112 the year before - it remains white wine du jour and with complete justification: there are three wines rated 5 Stars, and a further 13 just shy on 4½ Stars, not to mention a whopping 33 that come in at 4 Stars. Winemakers have been talking all year about how great the 2009 vintage was, and clearly they weren't exaggerating. There is surely not another local wine category with the same depth of quality.
Although local Sauvignon Blanc has traditionally been divided into two broad styles, the first being "grassy" and the second being "fruity", this distinction seems increasingly irrelevant. Whereas the "grassy" style was unquestionably distinctive, such wines tended to be austere with acidity that was not so much fresh as searing.
The "fruity" style, meanwhile, very often relied on delayed picking to facilitate the riper, tropical flavours but these wines could be criticised for being excessively rich and full, their acidities arguably being not fresh enough. As local winemakers become ever more proficient with the variety, and factoring in the positive role of the 2009 vintage, we now have wines that are optimally ripe, neither green nor overly confected.
One issue to ponder, as wine lovers consider the future of Sauvignon Blanc in the South African context, is the role of multiregional blends. Sauvignon is arguably one of the ultimate terroir wines in the sense that there is theoretically little to obscure the impact of site when it comes to wine assessment.
However, a number of South Africa's top examples such as the Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Limited Release 2009 are undoubtedly excellent, yet rely on fruit from a number of sources. The question is: are these technically almost perfect examples any less legitimate than sometimes idiosyncratic single-vineyard wines?
BEST VALUE – TOP 5 SAUVIGNON BLANC
Wines rated 2½ Stars or better recommended for particularly good value on the
basis of their quality/price ratio in the context of the average price per bottle of the226 wines assessed:
Name of wine Rating Price
1. Lutzville Cape Diamond Vineyards 2009* 4 Stars R 25.99
2. McGregor 2009* 4 Stars R 26.50
3. Cape Atlantic 2009* (Cederberg) 4 Stars R 30
4. Du Toitskloof 2009* 3½ Stars R 28
5. Stellar Organics 2009* 3 Stars R 25
ARE YOU GETTING WHAT YOU PAY FOR?
Average price per 750ml of the 226 Sauvignon Blanc wines assessed: R65
Average price per 750ml of the 16 wines rated 4½ to 5 Stars: R80
Average price per 750ml of the 33 wines rated 4 Stars: R75
Average price per 750ml of the 50 wines rated 3½ Stars: R64
Average price per 750ml of the 68 wines rated 3 Stars: R63
Average price per 750ml of the 30 wines rated 2½ Stars: R58
Average price per 750ml of the 29 wines rated less than 2½ Stars: R56
THE TOP 10
(in order of ascending price)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ five stars
Havana Hills 2009*
APPRO XIMATE RETAI L PRI CE R50
Alc 11.02% RS 5g/l TA 7.5g/l pH 3.42
Pale yellow-green. Dusty, herbaceous nose.
Juicy lime fruit, bright acidity. Clean, pure
and focused. Drink now or over the next
2 years.
CE 18 CR 18 JP 18 CA 18 SvW 19
Delaire 2009*
CELLAR PRICE R75
Alc 13% RS 3g/l TA 6.5g/l pH 3.37
Pale. Herbaceous and musky aromas on the
nose. The palate has good weight and texture
balanced by vibrant acidity. Layers of flavour
from citrus to tropical fruit. Crisp, clean finish.
Drink now or over the next 2 years.
CE 16 CR 18 JP 18 CA 18.5 SvW 19
Graham Beck
Pheasants' Run 2009*
CELLAR PRI CE R99
Alc 14.34% RS 2.61g/l TA 7.1g/l pH 3.59
Pale yellow-green. Herbaceous, dusty nose.
Excellent fruit expression and fresh acidity
make for a sumptuous palate. Intense lime
flavour, very long finish. Drink now or over
the next 2 years.
CE 19 CR 18 JP 17 CA 17 SvW 19
★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ four and a half stars
Avondrood
Ancient Mountain Reserve 2009
CELLAR PRICE R45
Alc 11.51% RS 4.5g/l TA 8.9g/l pH 3.35
Pale. Ripe citrus and slight mercaptan
character on the nose. Expressive palate
with lemon, grapefruit and pineapple
flavours. Tangy acidity and riveting
intensity. Drink now.
CE 16 CR 18 JP 16.5 CA 17.5 SvW 18
De Grendel Koetshuis 2009*
CELLAR PRICE R80
Alc 14.24% RS 2g/l TA 8.2g/l pH 3.32
Bright yellow-green. Dusty on the nose.
The palate shows juicy, optimally ripe fruit
and mouth-watering acidity. Lime and white
pepper flavours. Drink now or over the next
2 years.
CE 18 CR 17 JP 17.5 CA 16 SvW 18.5
Nederburg Manor House 2009
CELLAR PRICE R90
Alc 13.44% RS 1.63g/l TA 6.65g/l pH 3.41
Pale yellow. Gooseberries and lime throughout.
Racy acidity gives focus and length.
Lots of flavour intensity and long, dry finish.
Drink now or over the next 2 years.
CE 16 CR 18 JP 17.5 CA 18.5 SvW 16
Durbanville Hills
Biesjes Craal 2009
CELLAR PRICE R 98
Alc 13.59% RS 2.1g/l TA 6.3g/l pH 3.36
Pale. Herbaceous, dusty nose. Lean and
pithy palate making for a wine of elegance.
Flavours of lime and gooseberries. Vibrant
acidity. Long finish. Drink now or over the
next 2 years.
CE 18 CR 16 JP 18 CA 17.5 SvW 17
Graham Beck
Pheasants' Run 2008*
CELLAR PRICE R99
Alc 14.07% RS 2.37g/l TA 7.1g/l pH 3.44
Pale with green tinge. Herbaceous nose with
a hint of asparagus and tinned peas. Full
flavoured on the palate with relatively soft
acidity. Never-ending tail. Drink now or over
the next year.
CE 17 CR 17 JP 16.5 CA 17 SvW 18.5
Nitida Club Select 2009*
CELLAR PRICE R115
Alc 13.5% RS 2.2g/l TA 6.1g/l pH 3.50
Very pale. Hint of musky mercaptan on the
otherwise shy nose. The palate is juicy, clean
and fresh. Good palate weight and depth of
flavour. Drink now or over the next 2 years.
CE 17 CR 16 JP 18 CA 17.5 SvW 18.5
Fleur du Cap
Unfiltered Limited Release 2009*
APPRO XIMATE RE TAIL PRICE R120
Alc 14.04% RS 1.7g/l TA 6.88g/l pH 3.36
Pale. Dusty on the nose. Austere and lean on
the palate with lime fruit and bright acidity.
Well balanced and elegant with a persistent
finish. Drink now or over the next 2 years.
CE 17 CR 19 JP 17 CA 16.5 SvW 16
ALSO FOUR AND A HALF STARS
Onyx 2009
DARLING CELLAR PRICE R54
Alc 13.77% RS 2.1g/l TA 7.03g/l pH 3.44
Yellow-green. Grass, nettles and limes on
both palate and nose. Intensely flavoured
with tangy acidity. Some phenolic grip.
Drink now or over the next year.
CE 15 CR 17 JP 18 CA 18 SvW 16
Villiera Traditional Bush Vine 2009
CELLAR PRICE R65
Alc 12.6g/l RS 1.85g/l TA 6.7g/l pH 3.45
Pale. Complex nose showing some dustiness
through fynbos to lime. Lean and focused on
the palate with a long, dry finish. Drink now
or over the next 2 years.
CE 17.5 CR 18 JP 17.5 CA 15.5 SvW 17
Hillcrest 2008*
CELLAR PRICE R65
Alc 12.8% RS 1.4g/l TA 6.9g/l pH 3.62
Deep yellow-green. Asparagus, green melon
and honey throughout. Rich with relatively
soft acidity on the palate. Shows pleasing development.
Drink now or over the next year.
CE 17 CR 16 JP 17.5 CA 16 SvW 19
Anura Reserve 2009
CELLAR PRICE R70
Alc 14.7% RS 1.7g/l TA 7.2 pH 3.55
Pale. A pungent nose showing herbaceous
notes, green pea and asparagus. A generous
palate with great fruit expression and fresh
acidity. Drink now or over the next 2 years.
CE 18 CR 17 JP 14.5 CA 17 SvW 18.5
Rietvallei Limited Edition
Special Select 2009*
CELLAR PRICE R71
Alc 14.04% RS 3.1g/l TA 8.6g/l pH 2.91
Luminous yellow-green. The nose is complex
with herbaceous notes as well as ripe fruit
and a slight sweaty mercaptan note. Rich
and succulent on the palate with mouthwatering
acidity. Drink now or over the
next 2 years.
CE 18 CR 17 JP 16 CA 17 SvW 16
Constantia Uitsig 2008*
CELLAR PRICE R85
Alc 12.5% RS 2.3g/l TA 7.5g/l pH 3.2
Yellow-green. Forthcoming nose of citrus
blossom, lime and asparagus. Juicy, rich
and full on the palate but balanced by fresh
acidity - made in an extravagant style.
Drink now or over the next year.
CE 17 CR 17 JP 15 CA 17 SvW 18
★ ★ ★ ★ four stars
Lutzville R25.99
Cape Diamond Vineyards 2009*
McGregor 2009* R26.50
Cape Atlantic 2009* (Cederberg) R30
Bergsig Woolworths What! 2009* R35.50
Conradie Family 2009 R38
Galleon 2009* R45
Boland Private Cellar 2009 R46
Signatures of Doolhof 2009* R50
Meerendal 2009 R55
Ken Forrester 2009* R59
Thelema 2009* R60
Backsberg R65.50
John Martin Reserve 2009*
Hermanuspietersfontein No 7 2009* R69
Graham Beck 2008* R69
Sir Lambert 2009 (Diemersdal) R71
Rietvallei R71
Limited Edition Special Select 2008*
Diemersdal Single Vineyard 2009 R75
Uva Mira Cellar Selection 2009* R75
Flagstone Free Run 2009* R78.50
(Constellatia Wines SA)
Cederberg 2009* R80
Tokara Elgin 2008* R80
Buitenverwachting Husseys Vlei 2009 R85
Boschendal Reserve Collection 2007 R90
Groote Post R90
Woolworths Reserve 2009 ARP
Rijks 2007 R90
Domaine des Dieux 2007 R90
Ormonde 2008 R90
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered 2008* R92
(Bergkelder) ARP
Diemersdal 8 Rows 2009 R102
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered R120
Limited Release 2008 (Bergkelder) ARP
Diemersdal MM Louw 2009 R125
David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner 2009* R140
(Cederberg)
Steenberg Reserve 2009 R180
★ ★ ★ ✩ three and a half stars
Du Toitskloof 2009* R28
Diemersdal Matys 2009* R32
Van Loveren 2009* R32
Simonsvlei Premier Selection 2009* R34.99
Ridgemor 2009 R35
Alexanderfontein 2009* (Ormonde) R35
Bergsig 2009* R35.50
Under Oaks Limited Release 2009* R41
Rietvallei 2009* R42
Usana 2009 R43
Neethlingshof 2009* ARP R44
Wildekrans 2009* R45
Avondrood R45
Ancient Mountain Reserve 2008
Eikendal 2008* R48.50
Cape Hutton 2008* R49
Neethlingshof R50
Special Release 2009 ARP
Villiera 2009* R50
Le Bonheur 2009 ARP R50.40
Nelson 2009* R54
Kumkani 2009* (the company of wine people) R54
Klein Constantia KC 2009* R55
Lomond 2009* (Bergkelder) ARP R55.31
Elgin Heights 2008* R57
De Wetshof 2009 R59
Rickety Bridge 2009* R60
Zonnebloem R64
Limited Edition 2009 (Bergkelder) ARP
Paul Cluver 2008* R65
Hartenberg 2008* R67
Bartinney 2009 R70
Kings Kloof R70
Family Reserve Single Vineyard 2008*
Quoin Rock Cape Agulhas 2009 R70
Nitida 2009* R72
Durbanville Hills R75
Rhinofields Inner Valley 2009
Nitida R75
Woolworths Limited Release 2009 ARP
Oak Valley 2008* R75
Rickety Bridge Paulina's Reserve 2008* R75
Spier Private Collection 2009* R75
Circumstance 2008 (Waterkloof) R78
Southern Right 2009 R79
Lourensford R80
Winemaker's Selection 2009
Stony Brook "Heart of the Lees" 2008 R85
Grande Provence 2009* R90
Boschendal Reserve Collection 2008* R90
Fleur du Cap R92
Unfiltered 2009* (Bergkelder) ARP
Durbanville Hills Biesjes Craal 2008 R98
Kumkani Lanner Hill 2008 R99
(the company of wine people)
Fryer's Cove Bamboesbay 2009 R100
Lomond Pincushion 2007* R102.66
(Bergkelder) ARP
Lomond Sugarbush 2009* R102.66
(Bergkelder) ARP
Cape Point 2008 R117
★ ★ ★ three stars
Stellar Organics 2009* R25
Welmoed 2009* (the company of wine people) R27
Edenhof 2009* (Schalkenbosch) R28.50
Landskroon 2009* R30
Perdeberg Reserve 2009 R33
Fortress Hill 2008* (Fort Simon) R34
Spier 2009* R35
Bergwater 2009* R35
Douglas Green R35.99
Vineyard Creations 2009 (DGB) ARP
Boland Five Climates 2009* R37
Lutzville R37.99
The Diamond Collection 2009*
Kaapzicht 2009* R38
Viljoensdrift River Grandeur 2009* R39.50
Porcupine Ridge 2009* (Boekenhoutskloof) R40
Rietvallei 2008* R42
Arniston Bay Reserve 2009* R43
(the company of wine people)
Diemersdal 2009* R43
Goede Hoop 2008 R43
Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection 2009* R45
Le Pommier 2009* R45
Iona Sophie Te'blanche 2009* R45
Eikendal 2009* R48.50
Barton 2009* R49
Simonsig Sunbird 2009* R49
Herold 2008* R50
Miravel 2009* R50
Nederburg FIFA Twenty10 2009* R50
Skilpadvlei 2009* R50
Tokara Zondernaam 2008* R50
Virgin Earth 2008* ARP R50
Uitkyk 2009 ARP R50.80
Zevenwacht 2009* R53
Maastricht 2009* R55
South Hill The Vineyards 2008* R55
Sterhuis 2007 R55
Tierhoek 2008 R56.25
La Motte 2009* R57
Dornier Cocoa Hill 2009* R60
Sumaridge 2008 R60
Elgin Heights 2009* R63
Neil Ellis Groenekloof 2009* R65
Buitenverwachting 2009 R65
La Vierge Temptation 2009 R65
Lady Anne Barnard 2009 R68
(African Pride) ARP
Marianne Cuvée L'escapade 2009* R68
Clos Malverne 2009 R69.99
Zevenwacht 360° 2008* R72
Durbanville Hills Rhinofields 2009 R75
Fryer's Cove Bay to Bay 2009 R75
La Vierge 2008 R75
Sumaridge 2009 R75
Jordan Barrel Fermented 2008* R75.50
Hermanuspietersfontein No 3 2009* R79
Creation 2009 R79.50
Reyneke 2008 R80
Cape Point Vineyards Stonehaven 2009 R80
Vergelegen 2009* R82
Waterford 2009 R85
Cape Point Vineyards R89.95
Woolworths Limited Release 2009 ARP
Groote Post Reserve 2009 R90
Iona 2009* R90
Klein Constantia 2009* R95
Lomond Pincushion 2009* R102.66
(Bergkelder) ARP
Groot Constantia 2009 R105
Hermanuspietersfontein No 5 2008* R119
Packwood 2009 R140
Vergelegen Reserve 2009 R159
Reyneke Reserve 2008 R160
★ ★ ✩ two and a half stars
Swartland 2009* R24.70
Bonnievale 2009* R27
Table Bay 2009* (Ultra Liquors) ARP R27.99
Tulbagh 2009* R28
Franschhoek R35.99
Statue de Femme 2009* (DGB)
Bushmanspad Red Gold Blanc 2009 R39
Dieu Donné 2009* R41
Brampton 2009* (Rustenberg) R45.50
Stellenzicht R49.10
Golden Triangle 2009 ARP
Virgin Earth e Pepper Tree 2008 ARP R50
Altydgedacht 2009* R55
De Vallei 2009* R55
Sterhuis 2008* R55
Lomond 2008* (Bergkelder) ARP R55.31
Fort Simon 2008 R57
Groote Post 2009* R60
Thelema Sutherland 2009* R60
Ross Gower 2009* R60
Altydgedacht Reserve 2009* R65
Elgin Vintners 2008* R65
Elgin Vintners 2009 R65
KWV Cathedral Cellar 2008 R66
Môreson 2009 R69
Warwick Professor Black 2009* R69
Bouchard Finlayson 2009 R72
Durbanville Hills R75
Rhinofi elds Outer Valley 2009
Seven Steps 2009 (Cape Vino) ARP R75
Tokara Walker Bay 2008* R80
Lomond Pincushion 2008* R102.66
(Bergkelder) ARP
★ ★ TWO STARS
Seven Oaks 2009* R25
Koelenbosch 2009* (Koelenhof) R30
Darling Cellars Bushvine 2009* R33
Hill and Dale 2009* R34.46
(Stellenzicht) ARP
Vredenheim 2009* R35
Bon Courage 2009* R35
Morkel 2008* (Bellevue) R39.50
False Bay 2009* (Waterkloof) R47
Mooiplaas 2009 R51.50
Backsberg 2009* R65.50
Vrede en Lust 2009* R69
Longridge 2008 R70
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs 2009 R80
Avontuur Sarabande Reserve 2009 R85
Domaine des Dieux 2008 R90
Wedderwill 2006 R95
La Vierge Redemption 2008 R95
★ ONE STAR
Stettyn Millstone 2009* R27.50
Badsberg 2009* R28
Leopard's Leap 2009* R34.99
Darling Cellars R36.95
Woolworths Bush Vine 2009 ARP
Excelsior 2009* R37
Laborie 2009* R40
Klein Roosboom R44
Bandana Blanc 2009*
Klein Roosboom 2009 R58
De Grendel 2009* R60
Elgin Valley 2008* R85
La Motte R94
Pierneef Organically Grown 2008
Wedderwill 2005 R95
PRICES: wines in each quality grouping
are listed in order of ascending price - all
ex-cellar unless otherwise stipulated.
ARP Approximate retail price
* Bottled under screwcap
WINE TASTERS: Editor of WINE magazine
Christian Eedes (chair) (CE), Cape Wine
Masters Christine Rudman (CR) and Sue
van Wyk (SvW), Wine Judging Academy
graduates Carrie Adams of retailer Norman
Goodfellows (CA) and James Pietersen (JP).
