Diners Club Winemaker of the Year 2011

"Piele!"

Spier’s Johan Jordaan is this year’s Diners Club Winemaker of the Year, his Creative Block 5 2009 judged best overall out of 110 entires in the featured category of Bordeaux-style red blends. Matthew van Heerden won the title Young Winemaker of the Year for his 2009 Uva Mira Chardonnay in the category of dry white wines which attracted 64 entries.

My tasting note for the Spier Creative Block 5 2009 when judged for the July 2011 issue of Wine magazine: “Intense black in colour. Dark fruit and tea leaf aromas. Rich and full but balanced. Fresh acidity. Firm but fine tannins.” Score: 17/10.

My tasting note for the Uva Mira Chardonnay 2009 when judged for the November 2010 issue of Wine magazine: “Citrus and vanilla on the nose. Oak still needs to marry but great fruit concentration and lively acidity. Promises much.” Score: 18/20.