KWV and Eikendal take top accolades at Trophy Wine Show

THE SUCCESS of KWV at the 2012 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show didn’t surprise those who’ve been tracking the quality and character of The Mentors range launched by this Paarl producer a few years ago. Australian cellarmaster Richard Rowe, local winemaker Johann Fourie and their team at the winery have been turning heads with The Mentors since day one. However, there have been sceptics who only now are accepting that as one of the world’s largest wine outfits responsible for plenty of big-volume quaffing stuff, KWV can also match the best when it comes to boutique bottlings in terms of both single varietal wines as well as blends – and consistently so. KWV won more awards than any other entrant at this year’s Trophy Wine Show, including the trophy for best white wine overall with The Mentors Chardonnay 2011 which sells for R111 a bottle. Yet it’s the winner of the trophy for best red wine on show that might well have more people talking…

Not that Eikendal isn’t regarded as one of the best cellars in Stellenbosch, but the winery is more renowned for white wines and even then it’s a big leap from Top 10 contender to numero uno. The Eikendal Classique 2009 – including a lot more Merlot than is usually the case in this combo and selling for R162.50 – won the OMTWS trophy for best Bordeaux-style red blend before taking the overall title ahead of a Cabernet from Jordan, Shiraz wines from De Grendel and Painted Wolf, a Rijk’s Pinotage, Chamonix Pinot Noir and a Merlot from La Bri.
I had a hand in putting together the 2012 edition of Icons, the book showcasing the results of this, one of South Africa’s most prestigious wine competitions, and recommend that wine lovers contact the show organisers via their website for more info about the publication, about the tastings around the country as well as pointers as to if, where and how the winning wines can be bought other than directly from the producers. That said, aside from the Museum Classes for whites older than four years and all other wines older than eight years that are generally no longer available for purchase, the gold medal and trophy laureates are as follows, in alphabetical order…

BEST WHITE WINES: The Bergkelder’s Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Chardonnay 2011, Boschendal 1685 Shiraz 2009, Buitenverwachting Husseys Vlei Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Eikendal Chardonnay 2011, Fable Jackal Bird 2010, Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (trophy), KWV The Mentors Chardonnay 2011 (trophy), Manley Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Nederburg II Centuries Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (wooded), Ormonde’s Ondine Semillon 2010 (trophy), Remhoogte Honeybunch Reserve Chenin Blanc 2011, Rustenberg Five Soldiers 2010, Steenberg Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Strandveld Adamastor 2010, Sumaridge Chardonnay 2010, Thelema’s Sutherland Viognier Roussanne 2009 (trophy), Tokara Chenin Blanc 2009 (trophy), Ultra Liquors’ Secret Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (trophy for best-value gold medallist), Vergelegen GVB 2010 (trophy)
BEST RED WINES: Chamonix Reserve Pinot Noir 2010 (trophy), De Grendel Shiraz 2010 (trophy), Deetlefs Pinotage 2010, Eikendal Classique 2009 (trophy), Haskell’s Dombeya Altus 2007, Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (trophy), La Bri Merlot 2010 (trophy), Le Joubert ‘1070’ 2009, Painted Wolf Shiraz 2009 (trophy), Rijk’s Private Cellar Pinotage 2008 (trophy), Stellenzicht Golden Triangle Pinotage 2010
BEST SPARKLING WINES: Du Preez’s Hendrik Lodewyk Cap Classique NV, Villiera Woolworths Vintage Reserve Cap Classique Brut 2007 (trophy)
BEST SWEET WINES: Axe Hill Cape Vintage 2009 (port trophy), The Bergkelder’s Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2010, Delheim Edelspatz Noble Late Harvest 2011 (trophy)
 
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