No wine producing country has such a dominant and all-embracing wine annual as the John Platter South African Wine Guide. To win five stars from its tasting panel is the South African wine equivalent of striking gold. This list of the five star wines in the forthcoming 2005 edition of the guide has just been published. Jean Daneel and Joostenberg are names new to me. And Ernie Els' triumph off the golf course, for the second year running, suggests that this is one celebrity label that is worth drinking.
Axe Hill Cape Vintage Port 2002
Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2002
Boplaas Wine Cellar Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2002
Cape Point Vineyards Semillon 2003
Ernie Els 2002
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2003
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2003
Jean Daneel Wines Signature Chenin Blanc 2003
Joostenberg Wines Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest 2003
Jordan Winery Nine Yards Chardonnay Reserve 2003
Kaapzicht Estate Steytler Vision 2001
Robertson Winery Wide River Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2001
Rust en Vrede Estate Wine 2001
Sadie Family Wines Columella 2002
Steenberg Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2004
Vergelegen Semillon, Cape Wine Guild 2003
Vergelegen White 2003