Category Archives: Wine Awards
Sweet Success For Delheim At Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2013
Edelspatz triumphs as Best Dessert Wine second time in a row
Delheim Estate – the pride of Cape pioneer ‘Spatz’ Sperling and his family, situated in the Simonsberg ward in Stellenbosch – celebrated sweet victory at the highly contested Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2013, with its eminent Edelspatz Noble Late Harvest clinching the Trophy for Best Dessert Wine for the second consecutive year.
Showing remarkable consistency as one of the country’s finest dessert wines, Delheim Edelspatz 2012, which boasts a 4 ½ star rating in the latest Platter’s South African Wine Guide, follows in the winning footsteps of its predecessor, Edelspatz 2011, who swept up the same trophy at last year’s Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show.
Additional feathers added to Delheim’s winning cap at this year’s challenge include a gold medal for the Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 whilst the Delheim Pinotage 2011 clinched silver status.
Made from Rhine Riesling grapes stemming from a single 27-year old vineyard on the farm, Delheim Edelspatz 2012 delivers a luscious concentration of dried apricot, quince and cumquat. This estate jewel exudes wonderful fruit purity, focused by botrytis and is an elegant and intense wine with thrilling balance and length.
The Delheim Edelspatz is ready to drink now but will also benefit from further bottle maturation. The wine, which retails at R140 per bottle is available directly from the farm or at selected wine outlets and boutique wine shops countrywide.
Delheim has been producing a wide range of internationally acclaimed wines for more than 60 years and its first Edelspatz saw the light in 1979. The original farm was founded in 1699 and today, Delheim still reflects the traditions and values of the Sperling and Hoheisen families who have established the strong foundations, known to people worldwide as Delheim. Owner ‘Spatz’ was one of the co-founders of the Stellenbosch Wine Route in 1971.
For more information or wine orders contact Delheim at Tel: 0 21 888 4600, send an email to orders@delheim.com or visit www.delheim.com.
De Krans Port Comes Out Tops At Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show
De Krans Wine Cellar, situated in Calitzdorp, walked away with the highest score at the 2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine, higher than any other South African port on show, for its 2009 Cape Vintage Reserve. This port, recently launched in the cellar and trade, was also awarded a 5-star rating in the authoritative 2012 Platter’s Wine Guide.
Earlier this year it was also named as one of the Top 100 Wines in South Africa, as well as walking away with a Gold medal and awarded Best Vintage of Vintage Reserve Port at the 2012 Cape Port Producers’ Association Port & Wine Challenge.
This exceptional port is produced using several Portuguese varietals and is matured for 22 months in the barrel before bottling. Each bottle of this flagship port from De Krans is individually packaged in an attractive tin box, which makes for a very special gift. According to Louis van der Riet, winemaker at De Krans, it can be left to mature beautifully for another 20 to 30 years.
De Krans also did extremely well at the 2013 CAPPA Port & Wine Challenge winning two Gold medals for the winery’s 2002 and 2003 Cape Vintage Reserve Port, as well as two red wines in the Top 10 wines in the 2013 CAPPA Wine Challenge. These were the De Krans 2010 Touriga Nacional and 2006 Red Stone Reserve.
For more information contact the farm on 044 213 3314 or email at dekrans@mweb.co.za.
Eikendal Scoops Two Coveted Old Mutual Trophies
Charisma 2011 hailed Best Shiraz Based Blend & Discovery of the Show
Eikendal Estate, situated in the Helderberg ward known for its quality grape-growing terroir, soared with a double trophy triumph at the 2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, with its beguiling Charisma 2011 – a fruit-forward Shiraz-driven blend – hailed overall Best Shiraz-based Blend and The Old Mutual Discovery of the Show at this year’s competition.
No newcomer to this highly contested challenge, Eikendal clinched awards for both its red and white flagship wines at last year’s contest. Its Bordeaux-style red blend, Classique 2009, won the Old Mutual Trophy for the Best Red Wine as well as the Riedel Trophy for the Best Bordeaux-style Red Blend whilst the wooded Eikendal Chardonnay 2011 scooped a gold medal.
The winning Charisma 2011 – a cellar gem born from winemaker Nico Grobler’s intrepid wine travels across the globe – is a harmonious melange of Shiraz (88%), Petit Verdot (7%) and Sangiovese (5%) that showcases his love for unique red blends, made with rare varietals.
“I love the challenge and unpredictable nature and the adrenaline rush it evokes when it comes down to the blending of the different cultivars. You have all the best quality ingredients and you know the basic guidelines, but the proof lies in the final result. The Charisma 2011 is Rhône meets Chile meets Umbria in one bottle,” shares Nico.
The Eikendal Charisma 2011 is made in a New World, fresh and upfront style with intense fruit on the nose which follows gracefully through onto the palate. Silky tannins with a hint of sweetness ensure a smooth wine with delicious, juicy fruit.
Perfectly positioned on the famed ‘golden slopes’ of South Africa’s red wine production area – midway between Stellenbosch and Somerset West – Eikendal maximises its favourable terroir and close proximity to False Bay to produce great wines with strong regional and varietal integrity.
Hand-picked at optimum ripeness, the three different grape varieties that make up the Eikendal Charisma 2011 were vinified separately and spent 15 months in new (11%) and older oak barrels prior to blending, after which it spent another three months in the tank before it was bottled.
Described by the winemaker as ‘a different blend that makes sense once it is in your glass’, Eikendal Charisma 2011 exudes classic spice and violet nuances and the Shiraz lends a clean, fresh structure to the wine, whilst the Petit Verdot adds black fruit and spunk to the blend. The smack of Sangiovese adds the final, refined touches to the wine with its clean fruit and kiss of tomato paste.
Eikendal Charisma 2011 is delicious right now, but also has the body and structure to improve with cellaring over the next 4-6 years. This wine is a stellar choice with red meats, game dishes and roasted veggies with olive, oil, herbs and garlic.
The wine retails from R72 per bottle and is available directly from the Eikendal tasting room or at selected fine wine outlets and restaurants countrywide. For more information or wine orders contact Eikendal at Tel: (+27)21 855 1422 or email: orders@eikendal.co.za
Eikendal is an easy 40 minute drive from Cape Town and the spectacular landscape of the nearby Helderberg Mountains; its quality wines, and popular restaurant make Eikendal a worthwhile port of call while visiting the area. Its glistening dam with towering water fountain is a real landmark in the area and offers the perfect Winelands hotspot for fly fishing.
KWV – Double Trophy Winner
KWV came very close to a consecutive victory as top producer in one of South Africa’s toughest wine competitions, having claimed two trophies and 12 medals in this year’s Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. Securing the Paarl wine and spirits producer’s outstanding achievement were the:
• KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2011, Trophy for Best Niche Red Variety
• KWV The Mentors Sauvignon blanc 2009, Trophy for Best Museum Class Sauvignon blanc
These latest accolades were announced this week at the landmark Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, where the awards function was held.
Sharing the podium were the KWV Abraham Perold Insignis 2011, which received Gold, four KWV wines that won Silver and eight that won Bronze. The panel of judges agreed the achievement represented an exceptional accomplishment in the light of the marked drop in the number of trophy, gold and silver medal winners this year. Commenting on the phenomenon, the panel said the bar had been raised and that consequently, all medal winners could be regarded as truly outstanding wines.
“We felt that a Silver was a massively important award,” said UK-based panel member Oz Clarke, a worldwide wine authority. “I’m not sure I know of any other show where the silver is taken quite so seriously as it is here.”
KWV winemakers Johann Fourie and Izele van Blerk with trophies for Best Niche Red Variety and Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc
KWV’s success at the Old Mutual Wine Trophy Show follows within days of its international achievements. In the most recent results, KWV claimed six Gold medals at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles International Wine Championship, which also hailed the KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2011 and awarded a Grand Gold medal for the KWV The Mentors Shiraz 2011. Then, at the auspicious Decanter World Wine Awards in London, KWV achieved one of the best performances among SA producers, receiving no less than three trophies and six Golds together with its overall 18 medals and commendations.
“We are very proud of the success we have achieved, especially considering where we were just five years ago,” said KWV Chief Winemaker Johann Fourie. “The winemaking team has worked very hard at refining its approach to all aspects of winemaking. We know that the pursuit of excellence is never done, but acknowledgments like these motivate us to persist in our journey.”
Highlighting the consistency of awards across the KWV portfolio and strength of its fruit sourcing and winemaking capabilities, Fourie pointed out that KWV has won trophies consecutively for four years at the Trophy Wine Show – each year for a different varietal. He said the team was particularly proud of KWV’s achievement in the Museum Class Sauvignon blanc category, which served once again to demonstrate the aging potention of the varietal. “We have always known the KWV The Mentors Sauvignon blanc 2009 would benefit from time in bottle,” Fourie added.
“The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show plays a significant part in guiding consumers to the best wines. We believe the international representation on its judging panel provides a strong indicator of the appeal of winning wines enjoyed by global palates – a strategy that has been central to our winemaking vision,” said Fourie.
The 2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, which has honoured excellence in the wine industry since its inception in 2002, attracted 1 039 entries – up on last year’s 1 022. The largest categories were Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style red blends.
In addition to a selection of esteemed local wine writers and industry experts, the judging panel was chaired by renowned wine judge Michael Fridjhon and this year included international judges
• Yabby Lake Victoria Chief Winemaker Tom Carson from Australia; and
• The Relais Bernard Loiseau Group executive sommelier Eric Goettelmann from France.
Image courtesy of Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show
Simonsig Limited Release Chenin Blanc Wins Old Mutual Gold
Sur Lie Chenin Blanc exclusive to Woolworths
Simonsig Estate hit the high notes with a Gold medal for its Woolworths Limited Release Sur Lie Chenin Blanc 2012 at the prestigious and highly contested, 2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show.
“Chenin blanc was the first wine released by Simonsig founder and family patriarch Frans Malan in 1968. The Simonsig Woolworths Limited Release brings added depth and complexity to our white wine line-up,” says Simonsig cellarmaster Johan Malan.
The Woolworths Limited Release Sur Lie Chenin Blanc 2012 flaunts an attractive starbright pale straw hue and displays layers of fragrant tropical fruit flavours such as guava, pineapple and Golden Delicious apples. An abundance of honeysuckle and dried fruit characters linger on the crisp, dry finish. Johan recommends serving this wine slightly chilled as an aperitif or enjoyed with fresh seafood.
The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show is one of South Africa’s most prominent wine competitions. Chaired by respected wine expert and writer Michael Fridjhon, the 2013 competition saw only 31 Gold and 77 Silver medals, a drop from 42 and 178 medals respectively, awarded during the 2012 competition.
The Simonsig Woolworths Limited Release Chenin Blanc 2012 retails at R 59.95 per bottle at selected Woolworths outlets. For more information on Simonsig contact Tel: (021) 888 4915 or visit www.simonsig.co.za.
Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show – A Year Of Raising The Bar?
The 2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show delivered a set of results which shook the complacency induced by the medal count in 2012. A marked drop in the number of trophy, gold and silver medal winners compared with the previous year raises real questions about whether the industry has under-delivered to consumers or whether the judges have been inconsistent in the message they are sending to producers and wine drinkers.
“It’s probably a bit of both,” admits Show Chairman Michael Fridjhon. “We recognise that the year-on-year improvements in wine quality compel us to raise the bar: in 2012 we probably did not lift it enough, and perhaps this year we raised it – at the show widely regarded as the toughest in the world – a little too much. At the same time we think that vintage-related factors have played a role. Last year the judges were spoilt with the array of wines from superb harvests like the 2009. This year vintage variation was undoubtedly a factor.”
José Conde of Stark-Condé Wines winner of the Fairbairn Capital Trophy for the most successful Producer Overall after receiving trophies for Best Shiraz and Best Cabernet Sauvignon as well as three silver and three bronze medals.
The 2013 results reflect both forces at play: gold medals were down from 42 to 31 (leading to a commensurate drop in the number of category trophies) while silver medals fell from 178 to 77. It is in the silver medal count, according to Fridjhon, that the tougher standards are revealed. “When a judging panel has to choose between awarding a high bronze or a low silver, it’s really, in the end, a matter of calibration. I’m involved in many of these ‘threshold’ decisions and this year more wines were nudged down into bronze rather than up into silver. Of course, this means that top bronzes are better than ever, and represent extraordinary drinking value.”
“We felt that a silver was a massively important award. I’m not sure I know of any other show where the silver is taken quite so seriously as it is here”, commented worldwide wine authority and one of this year’s judges, Oz Clarke.
The Fairbairn Capital Trophy for the Show’s top performing winery went to Stark-Condé Wines, a frequent trophy, gold and silver medalist which has been regularly amongst the show’s top ten performing producers, but until this year never reached the number one position. In second place was KWV, last year’s winner, while the third slot was occupied by Delaire Graff. The “usual suspects” were to be found amongst the trophy and gold medal laureates: Rustenberg, whose 2010 Five Soldiers Chardonnay was a gold medal winner in 2012, won the trophy this year with its 2011 vintage. Delheim, whose 2011 Edelspatz
Neville Dorrington owner of Rijk’s with his three trophies: the Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc, The Old Mutual International Judges’ Trophy and the Old Mutual Trophy for Best White Wine Overall.
Noble Late Harvest won the 2012 dessert wine trophy, was back on the winners’ podium this year with its 2012 vintage. Paul Cluver, whose Chardonnay has been a top silver, or gold, or Trophy-winner over the past three years, took the gold medal for its 2011. Nederburg, Rijk’s, Eikendal, Jordan, Nuy, Cederberg and Diemersfontein are all back again this year with trophies and gold medals.
Rijk’s Cellar was the first ever winner of the Harold Eedes Trophy for the Best Chenin Blanc (in 2010 with its 2009 Touch of Oak). This year the Chenin Blanc Reserve 2008 garnered a hat-trick of trophies: the Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc, the Old Mutual Trophy for Best White Wine Overall and the Old Mutual International Judges’ Trophy.
Happily there are also newcomers, showing the dynamic nature of the Cape wine industry. Amongst the first time gold medal winners are Diemersdal, J C Le Roux and Graham Beck.
The Eikendal Charisma 2011, winner of the Best Shiraz-based Red Blend Trophy collected the Old Mutual Discovery of the Show award. The Trophy is awarded to the Gold Medallist whose final score – at the trophy judging – divided by its declared price on the entry form, yields the highest index (adjusted for category). In short, it is an award for the best value Gold Medal wine.
Sauvignon Blanc – a key category at the OMTWS – now has a new trophy. Nestlé Pure Life Water has chosen
Morné Vrey, Delaire Graff with his trophies Best Red Blend, Best Red Wine Trophy Overall and Best Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend
to sponsor this class – of which Oz Clarke said: “I think the Sauvignon Blanc thing is terribly important for South Africa. You have an ability in South Africa to make more different styles of Sauvignon Blanc probably than any other country in the world.”
The 2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show saw the number of entries judged rise slightly to 1038 from last year’s 1022. In spite of the drop in medal count, at the post-judging industry feedback session, the regular panellists – as well as the overseas judges with prior experience of the competition – commented on the markedly better quality of the top wines in most of the classes.
”For me, what was astounding was how much better the top wines are than they were eight years ago. The wines are much finer, they have a much better balance of tannins, they’ve got beautiful detail on the aromas. There’s a purity and vibrancy in the wines and they have a lovely mouthfeel and finish. And that’s what was really exciting about this show. All the judges felt the same,” said Australian Tom Carson, chief winemaker at Yabby Lakes and past chairman of the Australian National Wine Show.
KWV winemakers Johann Fourie and Izele van Blerk with trophies for Best Niche Red Variety and Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc
Museum Class entries continued the 2012 trend of accounting for at least 5% of the submissions – and revealed what was clearly a change in emphasis amongst the country’s super-premium wineries. “In the past, they were intent on using the show results to drive sales of current release wines,” observes Fridjhon. “Now they are also sending a message about the age-ability and age-worthiness of their best vintages. Since this coincides with a wider industry commitment to focus attention on the age-worthiness of our best wines, we’re delighted with the growth of the Museum Class numbers.” This year saw three Museum Class trophies, one Museum Class gold, eight silvers and 18 bronze. The growth in Museum Class entries has led to creation of the Old Mutual Trophy for the highest scoring Museum Class gold medalist. This year the inaugural winner is Jordan for the 2009 Riesling.
“Old Mutual is proud of its 12 year sponsorship of the country’s top wine competition,” said Robert Mafuna, Old Mutual’s Sponsorship and Events Executive. “Not only does it provide us with an opportunity to build relationships with wine lovers all over South Africa, but it enables us to play a crucial role in discovering talent and highlighting it both locally and on the international stage”.
Within the next two weeks, a series of tastings will be taken to seven major centres countrywide including
Winemaker Sjaak Nelson and owner-winemaker Gary Jordan of Jordan Wine Estate won the Just Riesling Trophy for the Best Riesling (Museum Class), theTrophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc (wooded) and the new Old Mutual Trophy for Best Museum Class Wine Overall.
East London followed by a Masterclass® in Windhoek. Wine lovers in Cape Town and Johannesburg will be able to taste 105 trophy, gold, silver and some Museum Class medal-winning wines at public tastings and will have an opportunity to judge these top achievers for themselves. They can expect to sample the industry’s best entries from 38 judging categories covering a wide range of varieties and wine styles – from bubblies, sauvignons and rieslings to cabernets, shiraz, merlots and Cape Port with some lesser-known varieties making an appearance.
They can also take advantage of the opportunity to buy superlative wines (while stocks are available) at special show prices via show fulfillment partner Makro. Those attending the public tastings will receive a copy of the Icons – the 168 page show guide – which contains details of all the winning wines, chapters contributed by Tom Carson and Oz Clarke, vintage information and advice about wine service. Icons will also be distributed with the July issue of WineLand.
Elunda Basson of The House of JC le Roux receives her Old Mutual Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine from David O’Brien
THE AUDITED* RESULTS OF 2013 OLD MUTUAL TROPHY WINE SHOW
Fairbairn Capital Trophy for the Most Successful Producer Stark-Condé Wines
Old Mutual International Judges’ Trophy Rijk’s Chenin Blanc Reserve 2008
Old Mutual Trophy for Best Museum Class Wine Jordan Riesling 2009
Old Mutual Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine JC le Roux Scintilla 2003
Old Mutual Trophy for Discovery of the Show Eikendal Charisma 2011
Old Mutual Trophy for Best Dessert Wine Delheim Edelspatz Noble Late Harvest 2012
Old Mutual Trophy for Best Red Wine Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2010
Old Mutual Trophy for Best White Wine Rijk’s Chenin Blanc Reserve 2008
American Express Trophy for the Best Cabernet Sauvignon Stark-Condé Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc Rijk’s Chenin Blanc Reserve 2008
Just Riesling Trophy for Best Riesling Jordan Riesling 2009 (Museum Class)
Miele Trophy for the Best Chardonnay Rustenberg Five Soldiers 2011
Nestlé Pure Life Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc Cederberg Sauvignon Blanc 2012 – unwooded
Riedel Trophy for the Best Bordeaux-style Blend Diemersdal MM Louw Estate Red 2011
Best Dessert Wine Fortified Nuy Wit Muskadel 2007
Best Museum Class Chardonnay Nuy Chardonnay 2009 (Museum Class)
Best Niche Red Variety KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2011
Best Pinotage Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Pinotage Reserve 2011
Best Red Blend Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2010
Best Sauvignon Blanc Jordan The Outlier Sauvignon Blanc 2012 – wooded
Best Sauvignon Blanc Museum Class KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Museum Class)
Best Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend Delaire Graff Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Reserve 2011
Best Shiraz Stark-Condé Three Pines Syrah
Best Shiraz-based Blend Eikendal Charisma 2011 Shiraz-based Blend
Frank Brooks and Robert Mafuna from Old Mutual with Chairman of the Judges, Michael Fridjhon.
OTHER GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:
Asara Wine Estate Asara Vineyard Collection Shiraz 2010
Ashton Kelder Roodewal 2011
Delheim Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Flagstone Wines Flagstone Free Run – Elim Reserve 2011
Graham Beck Wines Graham Beck Bowed Head Chenin Blanc 2011
Hillcrest Estate Hillcrest Estate Hornfels 2011
KWV KWV Abraham Perold Insignis 2011
MAN Vintners MAN Vintners Chardonnay 2006 (Museum Class)
Nederburg Wines Nederburg Private Bin Eminence 2008
Nederburg Wines Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2012
Paul Cluver Wines Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2011
Rustenberg Wines Rustenberg Stellenbosch Shiraz 2011
Simonsig Estate Simonsig Woolworths Exclusive Selection Chenin Blanc “Sur Lie” 2012
A full set of results including the silver and bronze medals and a transcript of the judges’ feedback session are available on the disk; and on HYPERLINK “http://www.trophywineshow.co.za/” www.trophywineshow.co.za.
* Chartered accountants PKF monitored the judging procedures at the 2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show and audited the competition results. Throughout the judging the identity of the wines was withheld from all the tasters, including the Show Chairman. No one judge was in a position to impose a result upon a majority of the panellists and declarations of interest have been received from all the judges as well as the associate judges.
Back row l-r: Paul Cluver jnr (Paul Cluver Wines), Francois Joubert (Asara Wine Estate), Nico Grobler (Eikendal), Nora Thiel Sperling and Reg Holder (Delheim), Thys Louw (Diemersdal), Gary Jordan (Jordan Wine Estate), Morné Vrey (Delaire Graff), Pieter du Toit (on behalf of Cederberg Private Cellar), José Conde (Stark-Condé Wines), Neville Dorrington (Rijk’s Cellar), Francois Bezuidenhout (MAN Vintners)
Front row l-r: Francois Roode (Diemersfontein Wines), Christo Pienaar (Nuy Wine Cellar), Johann Fourie (KWV), Allan Mullins CWM (Woolworths), Izele van Blerk (KWV), Sjaak Nelson (Jordan wine Estate) and Gerhard Swart (Flagstone Wines).
2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show Public Tastings
105 Trophy, Gold and Silver and some Museum Class medal winning wines will be presented at public tastings in Cape Town and Johannesburg:
Johannesburg: Friday 7 June 2013 | 18h00 to 21h00 – Sandton Convention Centre (Bill Gallagher Room)
Cape Town: Thursday 13 June 2013 | 17h00 to 20h30 – CTICC Ballroom East
Ticket Sales: Tickets from computicket and (subject to availability) at the door, R150 per person.
www.computicket.com or call 0861 915 8000.
Wine Sales: Wines can be ordered via MAKRO at the shows, with delivery to your door.
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter: #omtws2013 ; @omtrophywines
J.C. Le Roux Scintilla Best Sparkling Wine At Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show
The House of J.C. Le Roux achieved top honours at the highly regarded 2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show with the trophy for best sparkling wine awarded to the prestige cuvée, Scintilla 2003.
Winning awards is nothing new for this elegant J.C. Le Roux flagship. Last year the 2003 vintage triumphed as overall winner of the 2012 Amorim Méthode Cap Classique Challenge and walked off with a gold medal at the 2012 Veritas Awards.
“Receiving the trophy for the best sparkling wine is testament to Scintilla’s outstanding quality and status as South Africa’s MCC champion. We only make Scintilla in exceptional vintages, and the end result is a Cap Classique that is luxuriously smooth and well-balanced with an elegant, dry palate and an explosion of scintillating bubbles that will uplift any occasion,” says Cellar Master Elunda Basson.
A classic blend of Chardonnay (75%) and Pinot noir (25%), Scintilla 2003 spent a remarkable seven years on the lees, resulting in rich layers of complexity and flavours with a superior, smooth character.
It is available at boutique wine shops and restaurants, selling for R160 at the cellar door.
For more information, visit www.jcleroux.co.za, www.facebook.com/HouseofJCLeRoux or follow @LeGoodLife on Twitter.
Boschendal Reserve Collection Shiraz 2011 Wins Gold And Red Rhône Trophy At decanter World Wine Awards
The Boschendal Reserve Collection Shiraz 2011 has been awarded Gold and the South African Red Rhône Varietal under £15 Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards, the world’s biggest wine competition which took place in London from 29 April to 3 May and featured 14 000 entries.
“We believe that we are ‘good’ with Shiraz and the number of awards and Platter 5 stars for our Cecil John Reserve Shiraz is testimony to this. The exciting 2011 vintage is particularly ‘showy’ and assertive while still elegant and stylish,” said Jacques Roux, marketing director for DGB, the parent company of Boschendal Wines.
JC Bekker, Group Winemaker for DGB, describes the Boschendal Reserve Collection Shiraz 2011 as a mixture of dark ripe fruit flavours and savoury notes, with the primary flavours on the nose reminiscent of dried mango and ripe litches. “The palate is luscious and inviting and the finish long and powerful,” he said.
The weeklong Decanter World Wine Awards features 225 judges including 75 Masters of Wine and 14 Master Sommeliers representing 27 countries. “The recognition from Decanter magazine is great and we are thrilled to be part of their campaign,” Roux said.
The Boschendal Reserve Collection Shiraz 2011 retails for R140 a bottle and is available from the Boschendal Estate Cellar Door, Pneil Road, R310, Groot Drakenstein or contact Cellardoor@dgb.co.za and select retail.
For more information visit www.boschendalwines.com or call 021 870 4200. Follow Boschendal on Twitter @Boschendal_1685 or like their Facebook /Boschendal Wines fan page.
Simonsig Tiara Clinches Gold At Concours Mondial De Bruxelles
Simonsig Estate has upped the stakes by clinching a Gold medal for its Bordeaux-style red, the Tiara 2009 at the 20th Concours Mondial de Bruxelle.
Proudly wearing the crown as this family owned estate’s flagship red wine for over two decades, the Tiara 2009 competed against 8 200 wines and spirits from 50 producer countries in this prestigious competition held in Bratislava, Slovakia. On the local front this wine was also awarded a Gold medal by the 2012 Veritas Wine Awards.
“Great harmony, intensity and elegance are what we strive for when crafting our flagship red and there is no room for compromise on quality,” says Simonsig cellarmaster Johan Malan.
Driven by Cabernet Sauvignon (76%), Simonsig Tiara 2009 is a sensual yet substantial wine reminiscent of a deep red, textured Persian carpet. Its intense ripe black berry and cherry flavours with hints of cigar box, are enriched by whiffs of graphite adding depth and dimension to this full circle Bordeaux-style blend.
Johan recommends Simonsig Tiara 2009 with robust beef and venison dishes. The wine sells at R190 at the cellar door and selected=”true”=”true” fine wine outlets countrywide.
For more information or wine orders contact Simonsig Estate at Tel: 021 888 4915 or visit www.simonsig.co.za.
