Strauss & co - Review 2021

“Our belief in South Africa’s rightful place in the company of the fine wines of the world received a further shot in the arm with this sale,” said Strauss & Co wine expert and sommelier Higgo Jacobs. “We are incredibly happy with the results, for the sellers but also for the South African wine industry in general. These positive results will go a long way to elevate the status of iconic, historic South African wine.” In October, interest in a trio of prestigious South African producers – Alheit Vineyards, Sadie Family Wines and Vilafonté – contributed to the higher than expected total of R1.8 million. The top-selling individual lot in this white-glove sale was a vertical case of Sadie Family’s long-ageing Columella, South Africa’s most coveted red wine. The 12 vintages (2000-11) in the case attracted serious interest and the lot sold for R113 800. In November, a sale devoted to Left Bank Bordeaux wines juxtaposed big names from France with a line-up of South African wine producers. A wooden case of six First Growths from the 1998 vintage of Cheval Blanc, Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Mouton Rothschild and Petrus sold for R204 840. Wine Cellar VIP 2015, a special investment offering of 43 cases of 2015 vintage Bordeaux-inspired South African wines, also sold for R204 840. The sale netted R1.2 million and capped a positive year of bold positioning of South African fine wines to Strauss & Co’s global audience. Porseleinberg Syrah, 2015 Sold R19 993 Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon, 1982 Sold R23 450 Romanée Conti 1998 Sold R216 220 Lafite Rothschild Pauillac, 2000 Sold R147 940 First Growth Collection Bordeaux, 1998 Sold R204 840 Sadie Family’s Columella Vertical Case, 2000-2011 Sold R113 800 58