Best Value Wine Guide 2012

Articles and Directories

• Best Value Awards
• Best Value Cellar Overall
• Best Value Cellar Directory
• Best Value in Numbers
• Best Value Wine Guide 2011

Best Value Wines

• Best Value Whites
• Best Value Rosé
• Best Value Reds
• Best Value Port and Sherry
• Best Value Dessert and Sparkling Wines

Best Value Port and Sherry

The judges use a standard 20-point scoring system: 5 stars awarded for a score of 18 or more, 41⁄2 for 17 and 4 stars for a score of 16, 31⁄2 for 15.5 points, 3 stars for 15 out of 20 and 21⁄2 for 14.5 points. Wines rated lower than 21⁄2 stars were not eligible for inclusion in the 2012 Best Value Wine Guide, with the judges endeavouring to help consumers steer clear of plain ordinary wines in addition to those that are faulty or possibly even unpleasant.

	Superlative wine, top class; a masterpiece
	Excellent, wine of distinction (41⁄2 Stars = on the cusp of 5 Stars)
	Good (3 Stars) to very good (31⁄2 Stars). Fine character and style.
	Average, appealing
	Acceptable, ordinary
	Half a star, as in 21⁄2 Stars, 31⁄2 Stars, 41⁄2 Stars

Think Port and the automatic association used to be of rotund, red-faced old English gents in poncy clubs who blamed their gout on the thimbleful of Port at the end of a resplendent meal rather than all the other unhealthy lifestyle choices they made. Today there is a thriving Port industry in South Africa and, although the local producers can no longer use the word ‘Port’ in terms of an agreement between SA and the European Union, they’ve found equivalent terminology that works just as well and still indicates the various styles. Cape Ruby, Cape Tawny, Cape Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) and Cape Vintage are what you’ll now see on labels, each referring to how they were made. The earliest drinking one, lighter and with plenty of youthful fruit is Ruby; Tawnies have longer barrel ageing and develop nuttiness and tawny colour over time; Vintage is normally the best fruit, bottled after at least two years in barrel and the highest priced of them all. LBV’s name explains it, and is for earlier drinking. Many local ports are made from Portuguese grape varieties such as Tinta Barocca, Touriga Naçional, Souzão and others, and emulate the classic style.

Below are 10 of the top Best Value Port and Sherry wines of 2012, 1 of which was awarded the highest accolade (V20) for its combined high quality score and affordable price.

19 wines were entered in the Port and Sherry category, 18 of which were judged for the Best Value Wine Guide 2012. Of these, 11 made the grade and have been featured in the guide. To see all finalists buy the book now.

PORT AND SHERRY

Aan de Doorns Cape Ruby 2010
R35.00		V20
Aan de Doorns is one of those former co-operative wineries which are now grower owned – and still producing uncomplicated wines which over-deliver at their price. Expect to find clove-scented plums and raisins with some stewed tea leaves on the nose and palate. Delightful balance of ripe spicy fruit with good acidity, alcohol fortification and integrated wooding. Ample structure and panache.
Slanghoek Cape Ruby 2010
R40.00		V18
The Christmas pudding abundance that typifies port-style wines is amply displayed here. Attractive raisin and prune flavours that mingle with star anise and cinnamon on the nose and palate. Everything is in the right place, balanced alcohol, wood and fruit. Nice aftertaste that finishes dry.
Swartland Winery Port 2009
R40.00		V18
A somewhat individualistic style with some light liquorice and coffee nuances to the more traditional blackberry and prune spice. Concentrated with a chalky grip and fiery texture to the palate. Good body and length.
Rooiberg Winery Cape Vintage 2006
R41.00		V17
The extra time shows in this wine’s softness and approachability. Plentiful nutty dried fruit and raisins on the nose and palate. Deep, ripe and intense, although good equilibrium is maintained between the fruit, alcohol and wood.
Robinson’s Pale Dry Sherry NV
R38.99		V15
Lovely almonds and pecan-nut bouquet on this dry sherry. A hint of a salty sea breeze too. In the mouth it is dry but succulent with distinct nuttiness. Good length and concentration.
De Wet Cellar Cape Vintage 2008
R40.00		V15
A bit wild, one taster noted. Distinct stewed tea leaves over raisins and nuts on the nose and palate. There’s a query on the integration of this one with the spirit still being quite fiery and not yet meshing with the fruit and spicy wood.
De Krans Cape Ruby Port NV
R42.00		V14
Alluring plum spice and sweet blackcurrants and raisins on the nose and in the mouth. Light spicy touch shows restraint. Beautifully integrated and tasty on a long finish.
Bergsig Cape LBV 2001
R60.00		V14
Intriguing waxy stoep polish and pecan nut aroma. Flavours are abundant with lots of almonds mingling with Christmas-cake fruit and spice. Good balance of fruit, wood and alcohol with a deliciously lengthy aftertaste.
Van Loveren Cape Ruby NV
R53.00		V13
Blackberry jam and cassis galore on this gutsy, fiery richly fruited number. A touch of coffee is apparent in the mouth too. Lovely grip from its time in wood. Nicely polished and well rounded. Very rewarding style.
Badsberg Cellar Vintage Port 2005
R57.00		V12
Appealingly intricate bouquet of tea leaves, cedar shavings and a light coffee note. In the mouth there are flavours of sweet ripe prunes, black berry fruit and a touch of olive tapenade. Succulent and spicy with good structure and long finish. Lots of character in evidence.