American Express Friday Night Barrel Auction a Resounding Success

The Mvemve Raats MR De Compostella lot – which comprised of eight bottle of the estate’s 2012-2015 vintages – went for R45 000, while a single bottle of 1929 KWV Port from Mark Norrish fetched R11 000.

The auction – which this year took place at the Tokara Delicatessen on the Tokara Estate in Stellenbosch – provided wine lovers with a rare opportunity to taste, bid for and potentially own exclusive yet-to-be-released vintages of some of South Africa’s top winemakers.

There were 22 very exciting lots to choose from including …

• Mvemve Raats MR De Compostella 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015 8 x 750ml bottles vertical. One lot. A true undertaking in the search of excellence the MR de Compostella has been a benchmark of Bordeaux style red blends since its maiden vintage in 2004. Sourced from various plots over the Stellenbosch region each lot is vinified and matured separately, tasted, scored and discarded if found below 90 points.
• Grangehurst Nikela 2007: 3 x 1500ml bottles. “Nikela”, (pronounced “Nicare-la”) Xhosa for paying tribute to one’s ancestors. A Cape Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz and Merlot, produced by renowned Cape Winemakers Guild member Jeremy Walker from carefully selected, prime, Helderberg and Simonsberg plots.
• Mark Norrish KWV Port 1929: One 750ml bottle of this tawny-styled South African port of extreme rarity that turns 89 this year.
• Oneiric First Quantum Grand Reserve 2011: Five 1500ml bottles of these magnums which are much sought after as there are only 138 bottles in existence
• Stark-Condé Wines: Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014. Six 1500ml bottles. With less than 24 magnums produced in some of these vintages this was a truly rare lot of outstanding age worthy wines and a selection of vintages never to be repeated again.

Says Cape Wine Auction Director Darielle Robertson: “Guests at tonight’s auction were truly spoiled for choice, with 22 amazing lots up for grabs.

“We were absolutely delighted with the generous response from the bidders and we look set to equalling – if not bettering – last year’s figure raised when we follow up with the main Cape Wine Auction event.”

Adds Catherine Malec, Vice President Business Development, American Express: “The barrel auction was, as always, a tremendous way to start the Cape Wine Auction weekend. We cannot thank everyone who came along enough for making the evening a great success and through participating in the auction, benefitting numerous educational projects in the winelands region.”

The American Express Friday Night Barrel Auction is the precursor to the main event – The Cape Wine Auction – sponsored by Nedbank Private Wealth, which takes place on Saturday, February 10 at the iconic Rustenberg Estate.

Regarded as Africa’s premier auction, all proceeds raised at both events are allocated to 27 beneficiaries, which make a profound impact on education and the lives of children in the Cape Winelands. Now in its fourth year, the Cape Wine Auction raised R22.3 million in 2017.