The Best from the Market
Vinum Report Part 2
At the beginning of the year, we at KapWeine submitted over 100 white wines to Vinum Magazine for evaluation. In the second part of the Vinum Report, you will find our Top 26 Value White Wines from the Cape.
Vinum Magazine took a closer look at some of the top white wines, such as Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and many others, compared them, and praised them in the highest terms. Discover the ratings of the top white wines now.
Anyone who has ever been to South Africa knows: The country is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive wine regions in the world. Vinum Magazine took a closer look at some of the top white wines, such as the Chenin Blanc grape variety, compared them, and praised them in the highest terms. Discover all wine ratings now.
Basically, however, the northern part is hotter and drier; artificial irrigation is essential here. In contrast, the south, broadly speaking around Cape Town, has a more moderate climate. The same applies to the existing soils, which can be divided into three basic formations: granite, sand, and slate. Again, with various characteristics and conditions on site.
South Africa's indigenous flagship, Steen, also known as Chenin Blanc, reacts differently to each terroir. This market overview featured many wines from 2018, 2019, and 2020, with vintages dating back to 2007.
We observe: South African winemakers master uncomplicated basic wines as well as top growths and also know how to handle difficult years. Current 2021 wines and some of the basic wines from 2020 are enjoyable aperitif wines of good quality, conveying drinking pleasure. The crus with potential, demanding and terroir-driven, came from the 2018 and 2020 vintages. Both impressively confirmed their excellent reputation. In the challenging 2019 vintage, which demanded a lot from the wineries, the wines are more approachable and rounder.
Exceptions confirm the rule. Exotics like Riesling or Grenache Blanc showed pure fascination with independence at a high level. In addition, new winemaking methods seem to be emerging, leaving the beaten path.
This was particularly evident with Chenin Blanc - wonderfully challenging, long-lived, and true to the character of the grape variety. A real delight.
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DAVID & NADIA
Chenin Blanc – 2020
CHF 27.90 instead of 34.90
18.5/20 points by Vinum
Still reductive with flint and a hint of sulfur, definitely give it air or further aging. Juicy, yet firm and immensely animating palate with wonderful acidity and freshness, limestone soil, and lots of stony spice. There is structure with a mineral base. Lots of backbone and so clear and unvarnished. It doesn't rely on aromas, but structure, freshness, and minerality are its strengths.
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REYNEKE
Reserve White – Organic – 2018
CHF 27.90 instead of CHF 35.00
18.5/20 points by Vinum
Lots of cold smoke, flint, dried chamomile, and aromas like sawn stone blocks. Fascinating. Racy and firm, grippy and mineral. This is how the palate presents itself, stony and with a lot of pure aroma. Very demanding and not an easily understandable Sauvignon Blanc. Acidity and minerality, aging potential, and what a nervous acidity. Great class!
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CARINUS
Rooidraai – Chenin Blanc – 2020
CHF 23.90 instead of 29.90
18/20 points by Vinum
Slight spontaneous fermentation with some aged vegetables, hay, and grape skins. Racy and with finesse. What a wonderfully juicy style, yet never thin or flat or banal – simply honest. Down-to-earth in a double sense. Far from common styles, a lot of character and at the same time an invitation not to distort Chenin Blanc. Extremely unique – you either love it or scorn it.
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WATERFORD
Chardonnay Single Vineyards – 2018
CHF 29.90
18/20 points by Vinum
Very subtle, completely closed and showing only minimal fruit. An enormously demanding acidity that glides straight and uncompromisingly through the wine. Astringent. Very linear. Pure. Extremely difficult to rate. Unripe lemons, crisp lime, and melissa. Can range from "will remain so unripe" to "in five years it will be magnificent". And so uncompromising. Put it away – that's what the rating is based on.
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VERGELEGEN
Semillon Reserve – 2017
CHF 23.90 instead of 29.00
18/20 points by Vinum
Subtle nose with cold smoke, quince jelly, chamomile, and a lot of race and linear, enormously fresh fruit. Same on the palate, but there is tremendous power, a lot of grip, bitter grapefruit and astonishing acidity. Chalky, grippy and he brings the power to the ground really well. Not a flatterer. not a lightweight, a powerhouse in a bespoke suit. Class.
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BOUCHARD FINLAYSON
Missionvale – Chardonnay – 2019
CHF 24.90 instead of CHF 32.00
17.5/20 points by Vinum
Slightly smoky, some ripe pome fruit, a hint of meadow mushroom and a damp mineral note. Unique, deep and complex. Continues on the palate, with a fine yeast and slightly creamy foundation but sufficient freshness and acidity against it – it has something. A mix of flatterer and character type.
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CARINUS
Polkadraai – Chenin Blanc – 2020
CHF 23.90 instead of 29.90
17.5/20 points by Vinum
Pome fruit and apple pips, chamomile and almonds and all very unvarnished and pure. Firm style on the palate with again the notes of the nose plus a fine yeasty and fine bitter note. Backbone and structure, freshness and unpretentious aromatics. Long and racy as well as powerful and balanced finish.
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LOURENS FAMILY
Lindi Carien – 2020
CHF 32.00
17.5/20 points by Vinum
Earthy as well as subtly floral fruit with hay flowers, melissa, and yellow pome fruit. Harmonious and elegant. Good acidic bite, chiseled structure, and a quite pure, chalky, and very precise aroma on the palate. Demanding and grippy, characterful and far from the usual. Class.
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OAK VALLEY
Groenlandberg – Chardonnay – 2019
CHF 27.90 instead of 35.00
17.5/20 points by Vinum
Subtly creamy, yet also vegetal aromas with green apple, green asparagus, and meadow herbs. Racy and linear, fresh and cool. Rich and compact, very fresh and less rounded style with the aromas of the nose, a lot of grip and still restrained character. Rich acidity despite its power, harmonious and with very good aging potential.
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VERGELEGEN
Sauvignon Blanc – Reserve – 2018
CHF 26.10 instead of CHF 29.00
17.5/20 points by Vinum
Cut grass, fresh mint, and some spring onions, all subtle and never loud or banal. There's also minerality, chalkiness, and thus a structure, acidic freshness, and tautness that it needs for the power on the palate. Wonderful grip and a lot of unvarnished character! Freshness and precision.
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WOLF AND WOMAN
Chenin Blanc – 2020
CHF 29.00
17.5/20 points by Vinum
Restrained, quite earthy-mineral fruit with peppery and nutmeg spice, fresh grapefruit and a hint of apple. Very fresh, very linear and crisp with a taut and somewhat astringent character. Great balance with minerality and a demanding, grippy style, which gives it backbone. Long, racy finish.
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BOUCHARD FINLAYSON
Mission Valle – Chardonnay – 2019
CHF 24.90 instead of CHF 32.00
17.5/20 points by Vinum
Slightly smoky, some ripe pome fruit, a hint of meadow mushroom and a damp mineral note. Unique, deep and complex. Continues on the palate, with a fine yeast and slightly creamy foundation but sufficient freshness and acidity against it – it has something. A mix of flatterer and character type.
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CITY ON A HILL
White – 2020
CHF 22.90 instead of 29.00
17/20 points by Vinum
Very slender nose with stony spice, also with mushrooms and fresh ginger. A lot of character and individuality also on the palate, with again this kind of coolness, the earthy aromas and a wonderfully animating drinkability, which is not banal. Character, after all.
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STELLENBOSCH
Hangbrug Reserve – Chenin Blanc – 2019
CHF 15.90 instead of CHF 19.90
17/20 points by Vinum
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