Tim Atkin South African Special Report 2022
Cellar Door Experience of the Year and 10 Medals of Excellence for Benguela Cove Wine Estate
Tim Atkin, MW, 2022 South Africa Wine Special Report
Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate was a standout performer in UK wine writer Tim Atkin’s 10th annual South Africa Special Report, released on September 6th, 2022. The Walker Bay wine farm won the Cellar Door Experience of the Year award and Medals of Excellence for all of its ten wine entries, with each wine achieving 90 or more points out of 100 for the second consecutive year.
Benguela Cove’s top achievers included its Benguela Cove Vinography Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2021, awarded 94 points – just one point short were its Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Sauvignon Blanc Noble Late Harvest 2020, and Vinography Chardonnay 2021.
The Benguela Collection wine and hospitality group is owned by the Streeter family. It was founded by Penny Streeter OBE in 2013, when she acquired and developed the 543-acre vineyard and residential estate at Benguela Cove, located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, at the start of the Hermanus Wine Route in the Walker Bay region.
Penny Streeter says:
“We’re delighted to be selected for the top award from so many outstanding cellar door experiences in South Africa, and it recognises our commitment to ecotourism and the environment, as well as superb wines. Benguela is a unique destination, set in the UNESCO designated Kogelberg Biosphere; it's at the lowest height, at sea level, and with the longest seaboard of any vineyard in the world.”
The cellar door experience includes the Moody Lagoon restaurant, recommended in the Atkin’s report, and a popular wine-tasting pontoon tour with beautiful views across the tranquil lagoon, which is protected by a sandbar from the Atlantic Ocean. There are also cheese and chocolate pairings, winemaking experiences, and a programme of major art exhibitions, music and other year-round events, as well as children’s entertainment.
Winemaker, Johann Fourie says: “As a producer selling internationally, it’s important to get Tim Atkin’s feedback not only because he knows South African wines so well but because they are judged in a global context and how they stack up against the best in the world.”
“Getting 90 plus across the grape varietals, both white and red, shows the diversity in terroir we are spoiled with at Benguela Cove. What is particularly pleasing is to see the score of the wines creeping up year on year, which is a sign that we're constantly improving.”
The assessment for the Atkin’s report included a record 2,282 wines from 433 wineries.
“I sincerely hope that the reviews and scores in my report, as well as the Medals of Excellence given to producers whose wines have scored more than 90 points, will ensure that more people are made aware of the outstanding quality of South African wines. More than ever, we need to tell the world!” says Tim Atkin, MW
Taste a Collage of Nature; Benguela Cove Award-winning Wines
Tim Atkin is an award-winning wine writer and Master of Wine, with over 35 years' experience and a strong international following. Tim is widely respected for his amusing and often controversial presentational style.
Here’s his report on Benguela Cove wines this year:
94 Points 2021 | Benguela Cove Vinography Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc
93 Points 2021 | Benguela Cove Sauvignon Blanc
93 Points 2020 | Benguela Cove Sauvignon Blanc Noble Late Harvest
93 Points 2021 | Benguela Cove Vinography Chardonnay
92 Point 2020 | Benguela Cove Collage
92 Points 2020 | Benguela Cove Vinography Petit Verdot
91 Points 2021 | Benguela Cove Chardonnay
91 Points 2020 | Benguela Cove Syrah
90 Points 2018 | Benguela Cove Joie de Vivre Cap Classique
90 Points 2019 | Benguela Cove Vinography Cabernet Sauvignon
Benguela Cove Cellar Door Experience
When owner, Penny Streeter OBE, opened the state-of-the-art winery in 2017 the dream was to create a world-class wine producer and hospitality venue. Now, Benguela Cove is recognised as the Best Cellar Door Experience in the Western Cape. High praise indeed, considering the 433 outstanding wineries considered for the honour.
Penny says, “Our exceptional attractions are tailored to ensure that all guests receive an outstanding experience from our sommelier ambassadors, from vine to glass, and we take them through the estate grown and bottled wines as well as offering a whole plethora of wine experiences.”
Benguela Cove is the destination to visit between Cape Town and Hermanus. If the thought of great service, beautifully landscaped surrounds, contemporary art and sculptures, the distinct smell of the ocean and award-winning, 100% estate produced cool-climate wines pique your interest, then join us at the Cellar Door.
The winery is a WWF Conservation Champion and is committed to WOSA's Sustainable Wine South Africa project (Wines of South Africa). Vineyard safaris and wine-tasting pontoon cruises are available, as well as world-class dining, all located within the UNESCO-designated Kogelberg Biosphere.
The estate produces a range of award-winning wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sémillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir and Malbec grapes.
The Atkin Report Tasting Notes
94 Points 2021 | Benguela Cove Vinography Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc
“Two lagoon-side vineyards are the source of this excellent 70/30 blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, which is always one of the stellar wines at Benguela Cove. Elegant, nuanced and refined, with wax, nutmeg and cream soda flavours, racy acidity and a sea breeze top note”
93 Points 2021 | Benguela Cove Sauvignon Blanc
“The painterly, cool climate vineyards at Benguela Cove seem to be particularly well-suited to Sauvignon Blanc. This Graves-style white is mostly barrel fermented, with the remaining 40% seeing ceramic and terracotta eggs and stainless steel. Waxy, salty and intense, with subtle lime and pink grapefruit flavours and a hint of vanilla spice”
92 Point 2020 | Benguela Cove Collage
“Cabernet Sauvignon is a little marginal in some vintages at Benguela Cove, but it generally works well in a blend like this one with 65% Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Racy, fresh and elegant, with firm, detailed tannins, cassis, plum and liquorice flavours and scented 40% new wood.”
92 Points 2020 | Benguela Cove Vinography Petit Verdot
“Skillfully made by Johann Fourie, as Petit Verdot could easily struggle to ripen here, this hails from a warmer, north-facing site and was whole berry fermented to enhance fruit sweetness. Ripe and concentrated, with glossy tannins and a core of black cherry, green herbs and pencil shavings.”
91 Points 2021 | Benguela Cove Chardonnay
“I don’t like smoke and toast in my Chardonnay," says Johann Fourie, who only uses steam bent barrels to produce this wine. Subtly wooded in 35% new oak, this has pear, nutmeg, fresh lemon flavours and a briny note that seems to be part of the terroir here.”
91 Points 2020 | Benguela Cove Syrah
“Benguela Cove's Syrah has seen the "biggest step change" in style, according to winemaker Johann Fourie, moving towards less extraction and earlier picking. This has bramble and blackberry fruit, hints of seaweed and clove and well-integrated 25% new wood.”
90 Points 2018 | Benguela Cove Joie de Vivre Cap Classique
“Johann Fourie uses some barrel fermentation on 20% of the base wine for extra nuances here. Aged on its lees for 36 months, this is a fresh, tangy, lightly nutty Cuvée of Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir with fine bubbles, lots of zip and a dry finish.”
90 Points 2019 | Benguela Cove Vinography Cabernet Sauvignon
“Like a Bordeaux from a cooler vintage - remember those? - this is a Cabernet Sauvignon that will reward patience. Graceful and perfumed, with firm, sinewy tannins, coffee bean oak, graphite and blackcurrant leaf flavours and cranberry acidity.”