A wine by family-owned winery Boplaas has been named South Africa’s Best Port at the 2024 National Wine Challenge. The title was awarded to the 2021 Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port.
Furthermore, two other Boplaas wines that received Top 100/ Double Platinum ratings were the 2022 vintage Cape Vintage Reserve Port and the 2021 Ring of Rocks Family Reserve, a blend of Portuguese varietals.
These results follow news last week of a Boplaas port rating best overall in a line-up assessed by Robert Parker Wine Advocate. The wine was one of only six from South Africa to score 95 points.
The legacy of great port continues
The consistent achievements of the Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port further builds on the Nel family heritage of crafting the very finest Cape fortifieds utilising Portuguese varieties, traditional vinification and a dedication to style.
“It’s wonderful for Boplaas to be highlighted again by the National Wine Challenge,” says marketing manager Rozanne Nel. “With port being a winter favourite, now is the time to stock up!”
Portugal meets South Africa in an excellent wine
The Boplaas Ring of Rocks is named after a circular assembly of boulders on the farm in Calitzdorp. It was created as a nod to tradition and the ancient agrarians who used the rocks to pray for bountiful harvests.
The wine is a blend of Portuguese varietals with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The 2021 vintage was also awarded 91 points and a place among Top 10 Red Blends in Wine Magazine’sSignature Red Blend Report as well as 90 points by Master of Wine Tim Atkin and four stars in Platter’s South African wine guide.
The Portuguese varieties thrive in the climate of the Klein Karoo as they require less water to ripen and are less sensitive to warmer weather.
Notably, the six-generation family enterprise’s venture into Portuguese wine grape varieties was not completely planned. TintaBarocca was the first arrival and made its way to the farm by pure chance and a fortunate accident or two.
Boplaas patriarch, Oupa Danie Nel, returned from a visit to the Swartland in the late 70s with his Chevy El Camino packed with Shiraz. His neighbours duly and enthusiastically finished off the Shiraz, so the decision was made to plant this variety on the farm.
Once the vines had settled however, an error was discovered, in part by Danie’s son, the current owner Carel Nel. Carel was still a student of oenology at Stellenbosch University when he realised his father’s vines were actually Tinta Barocca and not the desired Shiraz. A trip to Portugal followed, where the Nel family got to know the varieties – at the same time befriending many of the Douro’s top producers.
Taste Boplaas champions on the Garden Route
Boplaas has had visitor centres and tasting rooms on the Garden Route for over a decade. Having closed its facilities at Klein Brak, it now has tasting rooms at Redberry Farm outside George, Hart&Bosch Village in Hartenbos and Old Nick Village at Plettenberg Bay.
Boplaas sells a total of seven five-star Platter’s guide wines as well as its full range of award-winning whiskies, brandies, ports, still wines and gins from these facilities.
Wines may also be purchased via the Boplaas online shop at www.boplaas.co.za. Exclusively in South Africa, there’s free delivery to your door for orders above R2 000.
For more information, email admin@boplaas.co.za or call 044 213 3326.
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