Category Archives: Competitions
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.
Uitkyk Carlonet Earns Decanter Gold
The 2009 vintage of Uitkyk’s Carlonet has won a gold medal at the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards in London. Flagship of the Stellenbosch estate, it has been made for more than half a century.
“This rich, velvety red shows typical Cabernet Sauvignon flavours with its combination of dried fruit, berries and spice all in one mouthful. Expect a well-rounded, long finish with vanilla oak and chocolate in the background supported by ripe tannins. I enjoy it with robust red meat dishes, rich casseroles as well as mildly spicy pizzas,” says winemaker Estelle Lourens.
Carlonet takes its name from George von Carlowitz, whose father, a German nobleman, had planted Uitkyk to Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Cinsaut on the advice of renowned viticulturist Prof Izak Perold as far back as 1949.
Uitkyk Carlonet 2009 retails for around R100 a bottle and is available from selected outlets countrywide.
Lomond Cat’s Tail Syrah Wins Gold At Decanter
Lomond’s 2011 Cat’s Tail Syrah has been awarded a gold medal at the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards in London. The annual competition is well known for its rigorous judging. This year, 219 judges from around the world evaluated 14 362 wines from 52 countries with just 229 gold medals awarded.
“We are so proud of the international acknowledgement for this fragrant and generously flavoured red of ours,” says Lomond winemaker Kobus Gerber. “Succulent with ripe berry and plum flavours and notes of pepper and spice, this wine is a great accompaniment to grilled steaks, slow-cooked oxtail, hearty casseroles as well as dishes with a bit of bite or spice.
“Just a few weeks ago, the 2012 vintage of our Sauvignon blanc was awarded a gold medal at the 2013 Concours Mondial du Sauvignon in France. It’s fresh and medium-bodied and brimming with green and tropical fruit flavours,” Gerber said.
Constantia Glen Wins Decanter Trophy For Best SA Bordeaux Red
Constantia Glen has swept the board in London as the Regional Trophy winner for the best South African Bordeaux red over £15 and two Gold medals at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards 2013 as well as breaking the venerable 90 point barrier with two wines in Tim Atkin’s 2013 SA Wine Report.
The graceful Constantia Glen THREE 2009, a full-bodied blend of three classic Bordeaux varietals, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, clinched the Decanter Trophy and a gold medal. The second Decanter gold medallist, is the Constantia Glen TWO 2011, which made its debut last year as the first wooded Bordeaux-style white wine for this esteemed boutique wine estate.
Respected wine commentator Tim Atkin gave both the Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2012 and the much anticipated flagship Bordeaux-style red, Constantia Glen FIVE 2009, which will only be released later this year or early in 2014, a 91 point rating in his SA Wine Report. Atkin, an award-winning wine writer and Master of Wine, is known for his special reports focusing on prominent wine regions throughout the world.
Known for exceptional, award winning cool climate Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux-style reds, Constantia Glen is open daily from 10h00 till 17h00 on week days and from 10h00 till 16h00 on Saturdays and Sundays. Look out for the Constantia Glen signs towards the top of Constantia Main road. Call 021 7956100 or e-mail sales@constantiaglen.com. Visit www.constantiaglen.com, Facebook or follow @ConstantiaGlen on Twitter. The GPS co-ordinates are S 34º 0’39.6” E 18º 24’30.6”.
Bouchard Finlayson Wins Gold Twice At decanter 2013 World Wine Awards
Bouchard Finlayson is proud to announce that its Hannibal 2009 and Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2010 have both won Gold, the highest accolade, at the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards, which were held in London on Monday 20 May.
The prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards launched in 2004 with just over 4,000 wines, and are now celebrating their 10th anniversary as the world’s leading wine competition. This year, 219 wine experts from 27 countries, including 75 Masters of Wine and 13 Master Sommeliers, gathered in London in April to taste a record-breaking 14,362 wine entries from 52 countries. South Africa entered the third-highest numbers of wines (842), behind Spain with 1616 wines and Australia with 1104. Bouchard Finlayson’s two trophies were amongst a total of 14 awarded to South Africa.
Winemaker and ‘Pinot Pioneer’ Peter Finlayson is delighted with the accolades received for both wines. Explaining Bouchard Finlayson’s Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot Noir’s appeal he says that, ‘Tête de Cuvée reflects the winemaker’s opportunit
y to create a blend from a handful of chosen, best barrels in the cellar from a particular vintage. Not every vintage presents suitable quality for this selection – 2010 is arguably our best Pinot Noir vintage since 2005 and 2007. This Tête de Cuvée edition is a barrel selection of the best barrels from the 2010 vintage where the wine matured in 100% new wood, which means more time is required for the ageing and bottle maturation – resulting in greater complexity.’
The essence and soul of the Italian/French blend that is Bouchard Finlayson’s Hannibal meanwhile is captured in the pitching of six grape cultivars into one wine, with Italian Sangiovese as its principal component. All these cultivars are grown on Bouchard Finlayson’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley terroir which is composed of heavy clay shale soils. In dry years such as 2009 these soils offer red wines of bold composition and abundant complexity. Says Finlayson: ‘Vintage 2009 was predicted to offer stunning results, and I am thrilled for Hannibal 2009 to have been recognised in what is considered to be the most important wine award in the world.’
Both wines are available from the Bouchard Finlayson Vineyard, as well as through Bouchard Finlayson’s Worldwide Agents, including Seckford Agencies Ltd. in the UK.
Winners of the highest accolade, the 32 International Trophies, will be announced on 4 September 2013 at a gala dinner at the Royal Opera House in London.
ABOUT BOUCHARD FINLAYSON
Established in 1989 in the temperate Hemel-en-Aarde Valley on 125 hectares (312 acres) of Walker Bay’s prime viticultural land, Bouchard Finlayson Vineyard and Winery is a small cellar dedicated to the quality production of Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. Ever since releasing their first vintages, the name Bouchard Finlayson has been internationally synonymous with excellence. Today, owned by the Red Carnation Hotels’ Tollman family and under the leadership of Victoria Tollman and winemaker Peter Finlayson, 22 hectares (54 acres) of the estate are currently under vine with 50% devoted to the varietal for which Peter is most acclaimed – Pinot noir. Other cultivars under production include Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc and Sangiovese, as well as a handful under exploration. Bouchard Finlayson is an accredited Championship member of the Biodiversity and Wine initiative (BWI).
Situated on the R320 near Hermanus, Bouchard Finlayson vineyard and winery is open for tastings and sales Monday to Friday from 09h30 to 17h00 and on Saturdays from 10h00 to 13h00. For further information, call +27 28 312 3515; email info@bouchardfinlayson.co.za; or visit www.bouchardfinlayson.co.za.
Zonnebloem’s Laureat Lives Up To Awards-Winning Name
Zonnebloem’s 2010 Laureat, a luscious, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend, has won a gold medal at the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards, held in London.
Fewer than 2% of wines entered achieve a sufficiently high score to receive gold in the event billed as the world’s biggest wine competition.
“We really can say that this, our flagship wine has earned the right to its name,” says international Zonnebloem spokesperson, Dè-Mari Kellerman. “Laureat takes its name from the laurel wreath conferred in ancient times on those deemed worthy of the distinction.”
The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and has been made by Bonny van Niekerk, Zonnebloem’s red winemaker.
“It’s bold but graceful and well-balanced,” says Bonny. “When you nose the wine, fragrances of blackcurrant and dark chocolate literally jump out of the glass. On the palate, you can taste cherry and blackcurrant and some spice.”
The 2012 Limited Edition Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, a creamy-textured white with flavours of tropical fruit and a touch of grassiness, took silver. It was made by Elize Coetzee.
Dè-Mari recommends pairing the Laureat with hearty red meat or game dishes or with hard cheeses, while the Limited Edition Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon is a great accompaniment to creamy shellfish and chicken dishes, she says.
“Bonny and Elize are two talented women continuing the award-winning tradition established by Marie Furter, who brought acclaim to Zonnebloem when she started out as a winemaker more than 70 years ago,” she adds.
Nederburg Eminence Wins Decanter Trophy
Nederburg’s 2009 Eminence, one of the flagship sweet wines in the winery’s portfolio that is reserved for the Nederburg Auction, has been judged South Africa’s best sweet wine retailing for over £15 to win the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards category trophy and a gold medal.
Amongst the eight Decanter silver medals received in the competition were those for the 2011 and 2012 vintages of the Winemaster’s Reserve Noble Late Harvest and the 2011 Ingenuity White. All others were for wines sold exclusively on the Nederburg Auction.
Both the 2011 Winemaster’s Reserve Noble Late Harvest and the 2011 Ingenuity White are rated 5 stars in the current Platter’s South African Wine Guide.
Meanwhile, the 2010 vintage of Nederburg’s other flagship sweet wine, Edelkeur, and the 2008 II Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon won gold at the International Wine Challenge in London just a few days earlier.
Fleur Du Cap Wins Trophy At Decanter World Wine Awards
Fleur du Cap’s star- studded Noble Late Harvest 2011 has been crowned best South African sweet wine under £15 (R210), clinching the Regional Trophy at the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards in London.
The results of the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards, considered to be the biggest global wine competition, were announced at the London Trade Fair, on 20 May 2013. Already in its 30th year, the Decanter panel of judges, who included 75 Masters of Wine and 13 Master Sommeliers, tasted a total of 14 362 wines from 52 countries.
Showing remarkable consistency as one of South Africa’s top dessert wines, Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2011, also won a Gold Outstanding medal at the 2012 International Wine & Spirit Competition in London and is the 6th consecutive vintage to achieve a 5-star rating from Platter’s South African Wine Guide.
A gorgeous blend of Chenin blanc (76%), Sauvignon blanc (13%) and Chardonnay (11%), Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2011 has beautiful aromas of raisins and marmalade with whiffs of typical dusty botrytis. Dried apricots and peaches meld with well-balanced acidity on the palate ending in a perfectly gorgeous after-taste.
“Our Noble Late Harvest is the pride of Fleur du Cap and we are so grateful for the many accolades we have received over the years. This success is largely due to our ability to source excellent botrytis grapes year after year and great teamwork in the cellar to produce the best from what nature has given us,” says Andrea Freeborough, Cellarmaster at Die Bergkelder, who is supported by winemaker Pieter Badenhorst and viticulturist Bennie Liebenberg.
The results of the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards, considered to be the biggest global wine competition, were announced at the London Trade Fair. Already in its 10th year, the Decanter judges tasted a total of 14 362 wines from 52 countries. This year’s panel of judges included 75 Masters of Wine and 13 Master Sommeliers.
The award winning Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2011 has just been released and is available at selected fine dining establishments and boutique wine shops. The cellar door price at the Fine Wine Shop at Die Bergkelder is R119. For more information visit www.fleurducap.co.za, fleurducap.tumblr.com or join the Fleur du Cap Facebook community.
KWV Achieves All-Time Best At Decanter World Wine Awards
KWV is back in the international limelight having delivered another glittering performance – its all-time best at the auspicious Decanter World Wine Awards in London this week. Among the 18 medals and commendations handed to the Paarl-based wine and spirits producer, were no less than three trophies and six gold medals.
Responsible for the trophy haul was the Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2012, which was named Best South African Sauvignon Blanc under £15; KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2010 – Best South African Bordeaux varietal under £15; and KWV The Mentors Chardonnay 2012 – Best South African Chardonnay under £15.
“This result, our best ever, is also most likely the best ever achieved by a South African wine producer. We are again delighted with the performance of our KWV The Mentors wines”, said outgoing KWV Chief Winemaker Richard Rowe. The premium range, established in 2006 to showcase excellence of selected vineyards, was responsible for a total of 14 of the accolades collected by KWV at the Decanter Awards, including Gold for the KWV The Mentors Shiraz 2011 and the KWV The Mentors Grenache Blanc 2011.
“Our KWV The Mentors wines are a shining example of the stylistic evolution that has taken place across our portfolio. Arguably the most awarded range in the country, the KWV The Mentors range has consistently ranked as a favourite among expert judging panels and wine lovers, both locally and internationally. It is a proud testament to the hard work of a dedicated group of people, from the growers through to our winemaking team,” Rowe said.
Also among the gold medallists was the Classic Cape Tawny, which Rowe said was very satisfying as it wins awards whenever entered, including prestigious accolades such as Double Gold at Veritas Wine Awards, Gold at the Michelangelo CCL Label International Wine Awards and Diamond status at the Winemakers’ Choice Awards.
The Decanter World Wine Awards, now in its 10th year, is widely regarded as the world’s leading wine competition. Its rigorous judging process has led to the event becoming an authoritative source for wine enthusiasts worldwide. This year, just over 200 judges from around the world assessed some 14 300 wines from 52 countries.
Making KWV’s performance even more significant is the very limited number of awards that are made annually at the event. Only around 1% of wines received a Regional Trophy.
• KWV announced this week the appointment of Johann Fourie as Chief Winemaker. Fourie has worked closely with Richard Rowe as KWV Senior Winemaker for the past eight years. Rowe stays on as a consultant with particular focus on developing KWV’s international markets.
