The 2021 edition of Platter’s, the authoritative guide to South African wine, has awarded three Spier wines five stars: the Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2019, the Spier Frans K. Smit Red 2015 and the Cape Winemakers Guild - Spier Frans K Smit Auction Selection 2017.
The Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2019 is sourced from a 36-year-old single vineyard on the slopes of the Durbanville Hills; certified as a Heritage Vineyard by the Old Vines Project. Matured for 14 months in barrel, the wine offers soft aromas of dried apricots and ripe tropical fruit. A combination of savoury notes and pure fruit gives beautiful layers of complexity to a rich entry and powerful palate. The wine has also been recognised as one of South Africa’s best Chenin Blancs in the 2020 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge.
Named after Spier’s acclaimed Cellar Master, the Spier Frans K. Smit wines pay tribute to Smit’s winemaking skill and dedication to the process. Crafted in limited quantities, this is the third five-star award for the Spier Frans K. Smit Red blend, this time honouring the 2015 vintage.
“All the components were sourced from the Helderberg, a top-notch site for Bordeaux varietals, and this contributed to the consistency in style,” says Smit. “We gave prominence to the stellar Cabernet, adding a small percentage of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to bring aroma and structure.”
With rich dark fruit and firm but rounded tannins, it’s enjoyable now but will truly shine 10 years after the vintage. The wine also won gold at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2019.
Certified organic, the Spier Frans K Smit Auction Selection 2017 is the first organic red wine offered on the renowned CWG Auction. This limited release is a Bordeaux-style blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, made with grapes grown at Spier and matured for 22 months in barrel. It’s silky, textured and concentrated with hints of blackberry, cherry and lingering red fruit.
“We are delighted with this recognition, in particular with the five stars awarded to Spier Frans K Smit Auction Selection 2017, as this recognises our team’s commitment to making top quality organic wine with grapes sourced from our very own farm. Positively impacting the environment is a cornerstone of our winery’s ethos, and so our organic wines form an important part of our portfolio,” says Cellar Master Frans Smit.
About the Platter's South African wine guide
Now in its 41st edition, South Africa’s best-selling wine guide reveals the very best the Winelands have to offer. In order for a wine to be considered as a five-star champion, the wine had to be rated more than 95 out of 100 by a panel of the country’s most respected wine tasters.
Spier wines can be tasted and purchased at the farm in Stellenbosch, and are widely available at retail outlets, supermarkets and online at shop.spier.co.za