Ernest Hemingway once said that wine is the most civilised thing in the world. This is a sentiment that Diners Club (South Africa) supports through various collaborations within the wine industry, by doing this they aim to add value to its members.
For the past 29 years, Diners Club has been selecting and rewarding South Africa's finest winemakers, The Diners Club Winemaker of the Year is regarded as South Africa's most prestigious wine competition and award. Nine years ago, the equally prestigious Young Winemaker of the Year Award was introduced. This award encourages young winemakers to express their individuality and develop their skills, by adding to the future quality of South African wines.
The Diners Club Winemaker of the Year competition has always been unique in that it is judged on one wine type, variety or style each year. In 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon featured for the third time. Similarly, the category for the Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year also alternates between red wine and white wine year on year. 2009 was earmarked to find the winning Dry White Wine.
The 2009 winners were announced in December.
2009 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year: Coenie Snyman for his 2007 Rust en Vrede Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tasting notes:
Almost opaque, blue/black core with bright, youthful purple rim. Ripe black currant and mulberry aromas come spilling from the glass followed by dark cherry, plum and fine oak. Deep and rich in the mouth with layers of black fruit flavours sympathetically balanced by some cedary oak. Intensity develops with time in the mouth where soft, dry tannins begin to show they are there in a supporting role. Youthful fruit penetrates everywhere with time. Long, fruit filled finish with spicy note at the end. Enormous potential to develop over the next six to eight years and then some. A decidedly civilized young cabernet with a great future.
2009 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year: Clayton Reabow of Môreson for his “Premium Chardonnay” 2007
Tasting notes:
Pale yet bright yellow and still very youthful on the eye. Nose is subtle and complex. Leads with stone fruits and green lime. Slight dusting of sweet oak. Fine and elegant yet substantial in the mouth where flavours of nectarine and grapefruit inter-work with understated touch of oak. Clean, fragrant finish. Develops interest with every sip. Delightful wine now and into the near future.
