CWG 2021 auction wines: the bottles to bid on

The 36th annual Cape Winemakers Guild Auction is being held in London for the second year in a row, due to the difficulties facing the South African wine industry in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Auction house Bonhams will host the sale, sponsored by Nedbank, live and online from 10am London time on 2 October.

Scroll down for tasting notes and scores of some of the top CWG 2021 auction wines to bid on

The Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) was founded in 1982, with the first auction in 1985. Membership of the guild is by invitation only, and the 45 winemakers collectively choose the wines for each auction. These exclusive, small-lot wines are only available via the sale.

This year, the 45 wines (see list below) are split into 485 lots of 36, 24 or 12 bottles. There are also a number of magnums available in lots of six and 12 bottles.

As in previous sales, the predicted top lot is Kanonkop’s CWG Paul Sauer, made by Abrie Beeslaar. The 2018 vintage of this iconic Bordeaux blend has a pre-auction estimate of £76-£100 a bottle.

Last year, funds raised by the first case of each auction wine were donated to CWG member Samantha O’Keefe. Her Lismore Estate in Greyton was destroyed by fire in December 2019.

This year O’Keefe makes her CWG auction debut, with an exciting Chenin Blanc–Viognier blend. Here Comes the Sun 2020 has a pre-auction estimate of £32-£40 a bottle.

Strong bidding is also expected for the wines of retiring CWG members Jeff Grier (Villiera), Jeremy Walker (Grangehurst) and Jacques Borman (Boschkloof).

CWG 2021 auction: how to get involved

Bidders can attend the auction in person at 101 New Bond St in London, bid by telephone, or online. They can also leave a commission bid in advance of the sale.

Richard Harvey MW, international director of Bonhams, will hold the main CWG 2021 auction from 10am on 2 October.

‘We are delighted to be able to host this year’s annual CWG auction which is proving an increasingly important way of spreading the word internationally about the quality and diversity of South African wine,’ Harvey said.

‘Last year we had buyers from Asia and Europe as well as from South Africa itself, and I expect a similar level of interest this year.’

Bonhams is also hosting an online-only sale to raise money for the Guild’s Protégé Programme. This auction, now live, closes at 4pm on 4 October.

The 73 lots include rare past auction wines, flagship wines from CWG members and wines made from Protégé graduates as well as bespoke wines and wine-related experiences.

Money raised will go towards education and mentorship to help improve the South African wine industry. A three-year sponsored internship has already produced 16 graduates who are now making wine professionally.

The CWG 2021 auction wines

Sparkling

Silverthorn, Big Dog VII Méthode Cap Classique, Robertson 2016

Villiera, Shooting Star Cap Classique Brut, Stellenbosch 2015

Graham Beck, Synergy Chardonnay-Pinot Noir Extra Brut, Western Cape 2017

White

Raats, The Fountain Terroir Specific Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2020

Ataraxia, Under the Gavel Chardonnay, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge 2020

Warwick, The White Lady Auction Chardonnay, Stellenbosch 2019

Lismore Estate, Here Comes the Sun Chenin-Viognier, Cape South Coast 2020

De Grendel, Wooded Sauvignon Blanc, Lutzville Valley 2020

Newton Johnson, Sandford Chardonnay, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2019

Paul Cluver, The Wagon Trail Chardonnay, Elgin 2020

Simonsig, Die Dop Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2019

Miles Mossop, Saskia-Jo Chenin Blend, Swartland 2018

Rijk’s, CWG Chenin Blanc, Tulbagh 2018

Red

Kanonkop, CWG Paul Sauer Cabernet Blend, Simonsig-Stellenbosch 2018

Boekenhoutskloof, Auction Reserve Syrah, Coastal Region 2018

Rust en Vrede, CWG Auction Estate Cabernet-Syrah, Stellenbosch 2017 (bottles and magnums)

Beaumont, Whole Bunch Mourvèdre, Bot River 2017

Miles Mossop Wines, Maximilian Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2018

Bouchard Finlayson, Pinot Noir, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2019

Groot Constantia, CWG Gouverneurs Reserve Cabernet Blend, Constantia 2018

Hartenberg, CWG Auction Merlot, Stellenbosch 2018

Rijk’s, CWG Pinotage, Tulbagh 2017

Boschkloof, Epilogue Syrah, Stellenbosch 2019

Gottfried Mocke, Pinot Noir, Cape South Coast 2019

Jordan, Sophia Cabernet Blend, Stellenbosch 2018

Savage Wines, Auction Syrah, Swartland 2019

Grangehurst, Heritage Pinotage Blend, Stellenbosch 2018

Luddite, The Lone Stranger Mark II Mourvèdre Blend, Bot River 2018

Spier, Frans K Smit CWG Special Edition Cabernet Blend, Stellenbosch 2018

Simonsig, Heirloom Shiraz, Stellenbosch 2018

Delaire Graff, Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc, Banghoek-Stellenbosch 2017

Saronsberg, Inner Circle Shiraz Blend, Tulbagh 2017

Neil Ellis, Amper Bo Tempranillo, Bottelary 2017 (bottles and magnums)

Boplass, Daniel’s Legacy Shiraz Blend, Western Cape 2017

Ernie Els, CWG Cabernet Blend, Stellenbosch 2018

Cederberg, Teen Die Hoog Shiraz, Cederberg 2019

Kanonkop, CWG Pinotage, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch 2018

Rust en Vrede, CWG Auction Estate Cabernet-Syrah, Stellenbosch 2016

Saronsberg, Die Erf Shiraz, Tulbagh 2018

Delaire Graff, Cabernet Franc-Cabernet Sauvignon, Banghoek-Stellenbosch 2016

Grangehurst, Au Revoir Cabernet Blend, Stellenbosch 2017

De Grendel, Op Die Berg Pinot Noir, Ceres Plateau 2018

Raats, Stella Nova Cabernet Franc, Stellenbosch 2017

Hartenberg, CWG Auction Shiraz, Stellenbosch 2018

Fortified

Boplass, Cape Vintage Reserve Fortified Touriga Blend, Western Cape 2017

CWG 2021 auction wines: top lots to bid on

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