Choosing a list of South Africa’s top whites is an arduous task as the range is so big and diverse. It is impossible to pick a list of South Africa’s top white wines in one article. It would take a long book. So these are some of my personal favorites.
I start with wooded Chardonnays. I think that premium wooded Chardonnays represent a vital contribution to SA’s top South African whites. I would have to kick off with Hamilton Russell for its richness, elegance, bouquet and consistency. Jordan Nine Yards is also included once again for its richness, bouquet and smoothness. Rustenberg Five Soldiers also shows incredible opulence, aromas and citrus qualities. Finally, Cape Chamonix Chardonnay Reserve displays power, restraint and elegance.
South African Sauvignon Blanc represents a vast category as we produce so many fine wines in this category. But two Sauvignon Blanc’s make my list. Cape Point Vineyards for its stony elegance and rich flavours. And Iona from Elgin for its bouquet, elegance, minerality and longevity. This wine can really age at least ten years plus.
When it comes to Semillon Boekenhoutskloof from Franschhoek really stands apart. I first tasted it at the farm about 12 years ago and I remember writing “pure perfume.” The fragrance was incredible. My tasting notes for the 2004 reads “Incredible like perfume. Citrus notes. Silky, sensuous, intense palate.”
Chenin Blanc still remains South Africa’s most planted grape variety. And some of the most exciting examples today are made from very old vines. My top Chenin Blanc has to be Ken Forrester’s FMC. This award winning wine is opulent, well oaked with a fine leesy character. Definitely, SA’s icon Chenin.
The category of white blends is a broad and diverse one. My first choice remains Vergelegen’s Vergelegen White. This Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend is classy, complex, polished and ages very well. The 2003 is currently at its peak. Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh has also made a big impact. Mainly Sauvignon Blanc with a small quantity of Semillon this wine shows green fig and grassy characteristics. Flinty and austere it is a beautiful white blend.
In terms of desert wines there are a number of stunners but there could be more. The jewel in the crown is definitely Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance. This iconic desert wine made from Muscat is hugely concentrated and opulent on both the palate and the nose. It ages well as its maiden 1986 bottling shows and simply throws an array of senses at one. My other choice would be Nederburg’s Edelkeur. The original Cape Noble Late Harvest from honeyed botrytised Chenin grapes. Always cloying, always complex. An institution since its maiden appearance at the Nederburg Auction in 1975.
Finally, when it comes to bubbly my three favourite examples are Graham Beck’s Brut Blanc de Blancs a beautiful, complex wine with excellent maturation potential. Villiera are sparkling wine specialists making many fine bubbly with their Monro Brut being perhaps their finest. High Constantia’s Clos Andre displays rich toasty brioche aromas with a firm, mineral palate.
What we can see from this is that South Africa produces many fine top white wines. As I have said I have only mentioned a few. What is the important is that the average quality of our top whites is high and consistent. We also make fine whites across a broad spectrum of grape varieties.
