Medal Haul For Spier At The National Wine Challenge/Top 100 Sa Wines 2017
Four Spier wines have been included in the seventh edition of the Top 100 SA Wines, which forms part of the 2017 National Wine Challenge. Leading the pack is the Woolworths Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, which was awarded Grand Cru National Champion Best in Class.
“The Woolworths Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 is crafted from a blend of Stellenbosch and Darling grapes. The former provides its restrained structure while the latter’s higher temperatures provides a luxurious richness,” Spier cellar master Frans Smit says. “This intoxicatingly complex combination makes this one of our most frequently awarded wines.”
The other three wines to receive Top 100 – or double platinum – status were the Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, the Spier Creative Block 3 2014 and the Woolworths Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2015.
The fact that two of these wines are Cabernet Sauvignon comes as no surprise to Smit. “Although we place a big emphasis on Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the biggest varieties that we crush. It’s gratifying to see this focus is bearing fruit.” He adds: “We believe in making wines that are richly expressive of their terroir. This means we put great effort into choosing vineyards that – year after year – can offer consistently exceptional quality yields.”
Spier also received five Double Golds:
• Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2015
• Spier 21 Gables Chardonnay 2015
• Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2014
• Spier Creative Block 2 2016
• Spier Private Collection Chardonnay 2015
The Spier Creative Block 5 2014 and Woolworths Single Vineyard (The Hutton) Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 both received Double Silver awards.
“While our red wines are often in the limelight, these results illustrate the excellent quality of our white wines. It’s also encouraging to see acclaim for all of our top-tier wine ranges – that’s the kind of consistent quality we are committed to delivering,” Smit concludes.