Platter’s 2024 Guide: Celebrating Benguela Cove's Wine Excellence

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate has proudly earned two prestigious 5-star accolades and an impressive eleven 4.5-star ratings in the esteemed Platter’s 2024 South African Wine Guide. Our commitment to crafting top-quality wines is reflected in this remarkable achievement.

Highlights from Platter's 2023 Ceremony:

The recently unveiled 2024 edition of the Platter’s by Diners Club Wine Guide, on November 16, 2023, provides a comprehensive insight into the dynamic South African wine scene. With over 900 wineries and approximately 8,000 unique local wines featured, this guide serves as a benchmark for the industry's growth and diversity.

Benguela Cove's Outstanding Achievements in Platter’s 2024:

1. Catalina Semillon 2021 (5 Stars)

Only in its third release, this single vineyard Semillon has captivated wine enthusiasts worldwide. Reflecting purity of fruit and exceptional longevity, it is crafted from a 0.9-hectare vineyard that consistently excels.

2. Vinography Petit Verdot 2021 (5 Stars)

This wine's power lies in its elegant profile, offering delicate nuances characteristic of a sophisticated red. A montage of dark fruit, a gentle perfume of incense, and hints of dark chocolate define its uniqueness.

3. Vinography Chardonnay

Take a journey through cool climate finesse with a spectacle of citrus and tropical fruit. As the wine warms up, nuances of ginger, hazelnut, lemon-curd, loquat, and lemon verbena come to the fore.

4. Vinography Sauvignon Blanc

Fruit takes the spotlight, complemented by smart oak usage framing its beauty. The 500L French oak barrels with Acacia heads add a unique bohemian twist.

5. Vinography Cabernet Sauvignon

Ripe red fruits on the nose, coupled with sweet notes of violets, dried vanilla pods, and layers of complexity, define this elegant wine.

6. Benguela Cove Collage

A blend of masculinity and vivid violets, offering rich aromas of cherry, raspberry, and fynbos, wrapped in cool nuances of cigar leaves, pencil shavings, and dried herbs.

7. Benguela Cove Cabernet Sauvignon

Swirl to evoke concentrated aromas of subtle dark fruit, sour plums, violets, sweet leather, and cool nuances of fynbos and strawberry jam.

8. Benguela Cove Syrah

Craft your online story with the unique notes of this wine, inviting you to explore its depth and richness.

9. Benguela Cove Pinot Noir

A true impression of the vintage, packed with layers of fruit and intricate flavor nuances that beckon you back for more.

10. Benguela Cove Sauvignon Blanc

A nostalgic journey with preserved green figs, joined by grapefruit, gunflint, sweet tropical fruit, and lemon candy notes.

11. Benguela Cove Chardonnay

Sumptuous aroma, green-gold in color, with flint, peach, melon, and nougat, balanced by fresh acidity, gentle creaminess, citrus zest, and a toasty finish.

12. Benguela Cove Joie De Vivre

Capturing the class and finesse of traditional sparkling wines, with inviting aromas of nougat, shortbread biscuit, citrus, almonds, and grapefruit.

13. Benguela Cove Noble Late

Intense greeny straw color evolving over time, delivering heady notes of pineapple, orange peel, grapefruit, dried peaches, honey, raisin, and rose oil.

Cellar-master Johann Fourie's Insight:

Receiving 4.5 stars or more for all 13 entries is a significant accomplishment for our family-owned vineyard in just six years since building our winery. We prioritize site-specific wines showcasing Benguela Cove's unique terroir and distinctive wine style. Our diverse slopes, soils, and exposure to prevailing winds bring out the best in each varietal, while our special location on the Atlantic Ocean edge lends a distinctive character to our wines.