Updated: 19 September 2005
(These pages are updated early/end each month with
revisions as news breaks - check-in here often)
John Platter Five Star Wines 2006 announced
24 August 2005 by Ina de Villiers PR for South African WineNews (https://www.wine.co.za/News/News.aspx?NEWSID=7295&Source=News)
The announcement is the culmination of several months of intensive tasting by
an internationally experienced team of some 5 000 individual wines.
These were sampled and ranked according to the guide's five-point scale, which
ranges from 0 stars ('Somewhat less than ordinary') up to 5 stars ('Superlative.
A Cape classic').
In the course of this year's evaluations, the guide's tasters identified 72 candidate five stars across a variety of categories - reds and whites, botrytised desserts and Natural Sweets, ports as well as methóde cap classique sparkling. As previously, only finished, bottled wines, available during the currency of the guide, were considered. The short-listed wines were then judged by a full panel.
Andrew McDowall, the guide's publisher, says: 'Our policy remains to taste and assess, as far as is practically possible, all of the wines that are available for the duration of the particular edition, locally as well as abroad. Given the enormous number of ranges and individual products tasted, the wines which merit a five-star rating make up a very select group indeed.'
The five stars for 2006 are:
Glen Carlou Syrah 2004
Rijk's Private Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2000
Thelema Reserve Merlot 2003
Axe Hill Cape Vintage Port 2003
De Krans Vintage Reserve Port 2003
Kaapzicht Steytler Vision 2002 (red blend)
Steenberg Vineyards Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Steenberg Vineyards Semillon 2005
Vergelegen White 2004 (white blend)
The Sadie Family Palladius 2004 (white blend)
'We would like to extend our congratulations to the top scorers, and of course to the balance of the five-star contenders, whose names will be announced at the book launch in November,' McDowall said. 'Our Wine of the Year will be announced at the same time, along with the name of the guide's first 'Superquaffer of the Year' - judged to be the most drinkable and well-priced of all the entry-level wines tasted for the current edition. Suffice to say wine drinkers are in for a pleasant surprise.'
The 2006 edition will be available from selected book shops and retail outlets, as well as the website, www.platteronline.com. The recommended retail price is R119.95.
John
Platter South African WINES 2006
for those serious about South African wines
Hardcopy: S$39.00 (Online Subscription: R150 or Hardcopy (worldwide delivery): R430)
HappyVines.com is pleased to offer, for the first time in Singapore, this independent wine guide to South African wines. This guide is updated yearly through tastings by a panel of expert tasters. In 2006, about 5,000 wines were tasted from which only 11 wines were awarded the maximum 5-stars out of 72 candidates.
Each year, this book becomes the second-best selling non-fiction after the Bible in South Africa. For the first time, this superlative guide to the South African Wine scene is being offered in Singapore, via pre-launch orders only.
The final order date for the Guide in HARDCOPY is 15 October 2005. Copies will be available for delivery/collection immediately after the official launch in South Africa on 08 November 2005. Self-collection for less than 12 copies. Free delivery for 12 copies and more.
Self-collection from: HappyVines.com, Block 21 Dover Crescent, Unit: 04-348. Tel: 6775 5676 (entry via Dover Rise off Dover Road or Commonwealth Ave West). Collection Times: Day or Evening upon prior arrangement.
To Order: Please EMAIL us. Upon our acknowledgement, please pre-pay via cheque to "HappyVines.com" and mailed to: Block 21 Dover Crescent, Unit: 04-348, Singapore 130021.
Raising a glass to 26 years of Platter from the left: Irina von Holdt, Philip and Cathy van Zyl, Andrew McDowall, Michael Fridjhon, Tony Mossop, Dave Hughes, Clive Torr, Neil Pendock, Tim James, Angela Lloyd, Steven Hobson, Meryl Weaver, Jabulani Ntshangase and Dave Swingler. Meeting tasting deadline off-camera were Christene Rudman and Richard Kelley.
Contributors: Erica Platter & Lindsaye McGregor
Return to HappyVines.com