Although many commentators expected dynamic couple Andrea and Chris Mullineux, from Mullineux Family Wines in the Swartland, to be awarded the Platter’s crown for Winery of the Year 2012, it was Franschhoek winery Boekenhoutskloof that walked away with this top accolade tonight.
The annual Platter’s wine guide, widely accepted as the consumer leader in wine ratings, today launched it’s 32nd edition – with a tally of wines now exceeding 7000.
Boekenthoutskloof was also lauded as the producer for this year’s Superquaffer of the Year – the Wolftrap White 2010 - firmly securing its feat over Nedeburg and Mullineux, wineries that, like Boekenhoutskloof, also boast a trio of five star ratings in the 2012 guide.
The Winery of the Year award is the editor’s personal selection, “the aim being to showcase a producer who epitomises the best of South African winegrowing today.” Editor Philip van Zyl admitted that “the fact that this year three wineries each recorded a trio of five star ratings had the potential to make the decision more difficult. However, one of the contenders distinguished itself by also producing the Superquaffer of the Year.”
Other top awards went to Chamonix Pinot Noir Reserve 2010 for Red Wine of the Year and Badsberg Badslese 2009 for White Wine of the Year.
The 2010 Platter’s guide, this year in a “Karoo sunshine yellow” is available from the second half of November at selected retailers and outlets at R159.95.
So what did you think of the wines? And, please God, you’re not listening to Cohen again. Try Washed Out. Come down Cab music. You daren’t use it before I do.
Although I cannot fault the selection of Boekenhoutskloof as winery of the year, I would’ve liked for the small guys to have scored a victory. I for one will celebrate this weekend at the Swartland Revolution as if one of the hosts won the winery of the year!