[imagesource: Nox Rentals]

Here in the Western Cape, we are well aware that we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to great wines on our doorstep.

I’ve heard that used as an excuse for a third glass of Chardonnay with a midweek lunch and hey, I’m not going to argue.

Those who are clued up on the scene have likely heard the name Tim Atkin before. The UK-based Master of Wine (it’s a qualification) has written for publications around the world and also has his own award-winning website.

He’s just released his 2022 South Africa Report (his 10th annual report) and says the 2021 vintage could well rank as one of the Cape’s best-ever vintages to date.

These details from WIA:

“Overall, I am extremely impressed with the quality of what I tasted in 2022, especially from the 2017 and 2021 vintages. I am more convinced than ever that 2017 deserves its place among the best-ever Cape harvests, as good as and, in some cases, even better than 2015. But I have a feeling that 2021 could equal and possibly surpass it.”

Atkin heralded the remarkable progress of the South African wine industry over the past decade. Of the 2 282 wines he tasted from 433 different wineries, a staggering 195 scored 95 or higher.

Stellenbosch wines performed exceptionally well, while the award for Best White Wine of the Year went to the 2020 Boekenhoutskloof Semillon, from Franschhoek.

Another standout Franschhoek performer was Anthonij Rupert Wyne, with a record 16 of their wines achieving Medals of Excellence (ratings of 90 points and higher).

These scores spanned the Anthonij Rupert, Cape of Good Hope, and L’Ormarins ranges.

The 2016 Anthonij Rupert Cab Franc scored 92, as did the 2017 Cab Sav.

In the L’Ormarins range, the newly-released 2014 Private Cuvée 2014 scored 92 and the 2017 Blanc de Blancs 91.

Individual achievement awards from Atkin’s report include:

• Winemaker of the Year: Duncan Savage of Savage Wines
• Young Winemaker of the Year: Charla Bosman of Sijnn
• Winemaking Legend: Kevin Arnold

Encouragingly, Atkin gave credit to the local wine industry’s commitment to addressing climate change.

There has been a focus on planting drought-resistant varieties as well as techniques which reduce water usage.

Perhaps best of all, the report says while we already rank among the world’s most exciting wine producers, there is “still so much potential to reveal”.

I’ll drink to that.

[source:wia]