Boplaas Family Vineyards has just been awarded four five-star ratings from the esteemed Platter’s South African wine guide, arguably the country’s most influential publication in the sector. This brings the total number of five-star ratings that the 45-year-old guide has bestowed on this family-owned winery to an almighty 25.
In addition to five stars being awarded to two Boplaas ports and two potstill brandies, wines from the Calitzdorp farm also received ratings of four-and-a-half and four stars and acknowledgement as a “hidden gem”.
“To me, these ratings provide an unparalleled snapshot of what Boplaas represents, especially in the light of consistent awards for our entire portfolio,” says six-generation Boplaas winemaker Margaux Nel. “The Platter’s awards highlight quality across many facets: from contemporary vintages to wines and brandies that have taken decades of care and attention. What better guarantee can there be?”
The five-star fortified wines were the Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2022 and the Boplaas Cape Tawny Port N/V. No stranger to accolades, the former received 95 points from Tim Atkin MW, who named it his Port of the Year. It was also a SA Top 100 wine and winner of Double Platinum at the National Wine Challenge. The Cape Tawny also received 94 points from Atkin, and Double Gold at the Veritas Awards.
The five-star potstill brandies were the 12 and 20 Year Reserve. Each is a worthy ambassador of Boplaas’s history of distilling – and brandy-making in particular, which dates to 1880, when barrels were sent from the farm to high society in London.
The Platter’s panel awarded four-and-a-half stars to the Boplaas Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve 2021, Touriga Nacional Family Reserve 2020 and Cape Vintage Port 2022.
Four stars went to the Boplaas Alvarinho Family Reserve 2024, Bobbejaanberg Sauvignon Blanc 2023 and Touriga Nacional 2023.
Furthermore, recognition as “hidden gems” was given the Veritas Gold-awarded Boplaas Stoepsit Merlot 2023, the Stoepsit Sauvignon Blanc 2024 and Pinotage 2022.
“We’re especially proud that our wines made from traditional Portuguese varieties continue to garner such praise and attention,” says Margaux. “The Calitzdorp climate and terroir has proven itself time and again and will continue to do so with these varieties as global warming intensifies.”
Boplaas’s award winning ports, brandies, wines and other spirits are available directly from the cellar door in Calitzdorp and via the online shop at www.boplaas.co.za.
For more information, email admin@boplaas.co.za or call 044 213 3326. Boplaas is also on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Boplaas1880/).