Ernie Els posts a record score once more

Date: 11/02/2004
Author: Cowley Nel & Associates


Classic Bordeaux blend again attains South Africa's highest international score.

2001 Ernie Els Bordeaux blend has scored 93/100 points in the influential and highly respected US Wine Spectator magazine for the second consecutive year. With this score, the 2001 vintage matches the heights of the maiden 2000 Ernie Els vintage, which also scored 93/100, and was the first South African wine ever to receive this recognition.

This success is twofold - a remarkable score that is an international achievement and secondly, a wine that shows consistency. Consistency is the hallmark of every great wine in this world. John Platter's 5-star rating of the 2001 vintage is another indication of the wines' quality.

Reflecting Ernie Els's preference for classic Bordeaux-style blends, the Ernie Els is a blend made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in French Oak (80% new), it is a complex wine that will benefit from further cellaring. Through berry selection and micro-vinification, extensive care is taken to develop a wine that not only shows complexity, but also the diversity of the Stellenbosch terroir.

The Wine Spectator had the following to say about the Ernie Els 2001: 'Terrific modern-style wine. Confidently rendered, with blackberry, black currant and boysenberry fruit that oozes along the palate, while cocoa powder, Lapsang souchong tea, black fig and Kona coffee notes ripple through the finish. Still a bit tight, so cellar. A hair less rich but with more exotic flavours than the debut 2000. Best from 2005 through 2008'.