South Africa’s foremost and ultimate pocket-guide of the country’s wines, Platter’s Wine Guide, has once again lauded Ernie Els Wines and winemaker Louis Strydom with another 5-Star award at the launch of the 2015 edition.
Louis’ ‘Ernie Els CWG 2012’ – a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot, produced for the annual Cape Winemakers Guild Auction – was this year’s top performer. “It’s great news,” commented Ernie. “Louis and the team are doing such a fantastic job and of course it’s always gratifying to get this kind of recognition from a prestigious guide such as Platter’s.”
In fact, this latest 5-star award makes it six such illustrious honours for Louis and the winery since Ernie’s wines first became available to the public in late 2002. It’s also two in two years with the maiden vintage of the ‘Ernie Els Proprietor’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2011’ being last year’s recipient. An awards ceremony was held at the historic Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town on 27 October, which marked the release of the 2015 guide. This occasion garners some interest, not only to establish which wines achieved 5-Star status, but also to view which colour the publishers decide on to cover the guide (see below).
Also worth mentioning about the 2015 guide is that both the ‘Ernie Els Signature 2011’ and ‘Ernie Els Proprietor’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2012’ were nominated for 5-Star status, eventually ending up with a distinguished 4½-Star rating. Considering that all three wines were either a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend (minimum 60%), or a straight Cabernet Sauvignon, it continues to suggest that this variety is tremendously suited to the terroir of the Helderberg within the appellation of Stellenbosch. Ernie Els Wines has a particular affinity toward this noble grape as the bulk of the property is covered by these vines and hence the focus on striving to produce world-class Cabernet Sauvignon is maintained.
