James Molesworth awarded 90 points or more on Wine Spectator's infamous 100-point scale to 19 of the 2008 auction wines, whilst Tanzer singled out 22 of the wines in the 90-plus category.
Describing the auction wines as “some of the best new wines South Africa has to offer” in its article entitled “32 Rare South African Gems”, Molesworth gave his highest score of 93 to Teddy Hall's Rudera Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest Auction Reserve 2006, while the Teddy Hall Chenin Blanc Auction Reserve 2007 scored 92 points. Saronsberg 'Dewaldt Heyns' Shiraz Viognier 2006, the first auction wine from Dewaldt Heyns, one of the newest members of the Guild, also scored 92 points. Wine Spectator described the third 92 point auction wine, David Nieuwoudt's Cederberg Shiraz Teen Die Hoog 2006 as being “among the best bottlings in the auction”.
A little more generous with his 90-plus selection, Steve Tanzer gave 93 points to three outstanding wines: Adi Badenhorst's first auction wine, the 2005 A.A. Badenhorst Auction Blend; the 2006 Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Auction Reserve; and the 2005 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Auction Reserve of Marc Kent. Tanzer's two 92 point wines are Solo The Guildsman 2005, the first wine under his own label from Cape Winemakers Guild Chairman, Philip Costandius, and the 2006 Engelbrecht Els CWG.
The 2008 Auction wines have also stood up well to critical acclaim in Europe. At a recent tasting hosted by Wines of South Africa (WOSA) in Germany, the Eno WorldWine website gave 5-star ratings and positive comments to 14 of the wines tasted, describing the tasting as a good overview of the standard and level of achievement of the South African wine industry.
Distinctly different from wines bottled under the members' own labels, the CWG Auction wines are crafted specially for the auction by some of South Africa's finest winemakers; the vintages are selected at a blind tasting with only those showing technical excellence and maturation potential being chosen. This thorough process involving the members of the Guild ensures that every wine boasting the CWG Auction label is a wine of exceptional quality. Last year prices soared to unprecedented heights with the average price per case being R2016, an increase of almost 41%.
This year's lineup of 40 auction wines includes a record number of white wines and first time entries from new winemakers and cellars. The auction, now in its 23rd year, has a turnover in excess of R5 million.
The Auction also includes collections of exceptionally rare wine blends to go under the hammer in aid of the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust. Founded in 1999, the Development Trust assists with education, training and empowerment of young people from previously disadvantaged wine farming communities and includes the Guild's Protégé Programme. Last year the Charity Auction and the Silent Auction raised R90,450 in aid of the Development Trust and the Guild expects to set a new record with its 2008 CWG Collection. This year's limited edition collection offers bidders an extraordinary trilogy of diverse red blends in 1,5 litre bottles.
The 23rd Nedbank CWG Auction is open to the public and will be held at the CTICC on Saturday, 27 September 2008. Prospective buyers who are unable to attend the auction on the day, can register in advance with the CWG and take advantage of their telephonic and proxy bidding facilities. For further details and to attend the auction, visit www.capewinemakersguild.com or contact the Guild Office on: 021 852 0408 or .
