French go down to South Africa in their own back yard with four Cape wines among Top 10 at Syrah du Monde, Rhône |

French go down to South Africa in their own back yard with four Cape wines among Top 10 at Syrah du Monde, Rhône

05/2014 Mike Froud Leave a comment

THERE WERE raised eyebrows among the Francophiles when results of the eighth Syrah du Monde were announced in the northern Rhône, France. The judges reviewed 405 wines from 26 countries and at the end of three days there were four South Africans among the Top 10, versus two from France. And in their own back yard! Ooh la la!!

No doubt there will be those reasoning that the French didn’t field their best, but many of the leading South African wines made from Shiraz weren’t in the line-up either. Congrat’s then to David Nieuwoudt of the Cederberg Private Cellar who made the Top 10 with two of his wines, the guys at D’Aria in Durbanville and the fellas in charge of things at Robertson Winery – as well as to Kleinood (Tamboerskloof), Bergkelder (Fleur du Cap) and Bon Courage who also placed among the gold medallists.

More info about the latest Syrah du Monde and full results of the 2014 edition are available on their website. Herewith a round-up of the various SA wines that have performed particularly well in various blind tastings of note around the world this month, i.e. also including the International Wine Challenge in London and Concours Mondial, Belgium:

TOP-SCORING WHITE WINES

CHARDONNAY
Bellingham Ancient Earth 2012 (DGB) – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Glen Carlou Quartz Stone 2012 – Gold Medal at International Wine Challenge (UK)
Simonsig 2013 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Sumaridge 2012 – Gold Medal at International Wine Challenge (UK)

CHENIN BLANC
Simonsig Avec Chene – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Spier 21 Gables 2012 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)

SAUVIGNON BLANC
Boschendal Elgin 2012 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Franschhoek Cellar Statue de Femme 2013 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Diemersdal MM Louw 2013 – Trophy at International Wine Challenge (UK)
Vergelegen 2013 – Gold Medal at International Wine Challenge (UK)

SEMILLON
Franschhoek Vineyards 2013 (Franschhoek Cellar) – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
KWV The Mentors 2013 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)

VIOGNIER
Kasteelberg 2012 (Riebeek Cellars)

WHITE BLEND
Constantia Glen Two 2013 – Trophy at International Wine Challenge (UK)

TOP-SCORING RED WINES

CABERNET FRANC
KWV The Mentors 2012 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Guardian Peak Lapa 2011 – Trophy at International Wine Challenge (UK)
Linton Park 2012 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)

MERLOT
Eikendal 2012 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Hartenberg 2010 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Linton Park Proprietor’s Reserve 2010 – Great Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)

PINOTAGE
Kaapzicht Steytler 2010 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Simonsig Redhill 2011 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Spier 21 Gables 2011 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)

SHIRAZ / SYRAH
Bon Courage Inkara 2012 – Gold Medal at Syrah du Monde (FR)
Cederberg 2011 – Gold Medal at Syrah du Monde (FR), Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
D’Aria SV 2011 – Gold Medal at Syrah du Monde (FR)
David Nieuwoudt CWG Auction Reserve 2011 (Cederberg) – Gold Medal at Syrah du Monde (FR)
DMZ 2012 (DeMorgenzon) – Gold Medal at International Wine Challenge (UK)
Fleur du Cap Bergkelder Selection 2012 – Gold Medal at Syrah du Monde (FR)
Kasteelberg 2012 (Riebeek Cellars) – Great Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2009 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Robertson Winery No 1 Constitution Road 2011 – Gold Medal at Syrah du Monde (FR)
Saronsberg 2011 – Trophy at International Wine Challenge (UK)
Tamboerskloof 2010 (Kleinood) – Gold Medal at Syrah du Monde (FR)

RED BLENDS
Almenkerk Lace Vineyard Blend 2011 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Angels Tears Red 2012 (Grande Provence) – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Dieu Donné The Cross Collection Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
La Motte Pierneef Collection Shiraz Viognier 2011 – Gold Medal at International Wine Challenge (UK)
Morgenster 2003 – Gold Medal at International Wine Challenge (UK)
Rust en Vrede 1694 Classification – Great Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Simonsig Frans Malan Cape Blend 2010 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Spier Creative Block 3 2011 – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Stellenbosch Reserve 2011 (Stellenbosch Ridge, Guardian Peak) – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)

TOP-SCORING SPARKLING WINE

Clos Malverne MCC Ellie 2011 (Brut Rosé, Shiraz) – Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)

TOP-SCORING DESSERT WINES (UNFORTIFIED)

Fleur du Cap Bergkelder Selection Noble Late Harvest 2011 – Gold Medal at International Wine Challenge (UK)
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet 2008 – Trophy at International Wine Challenge (UK)
Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2011 – Trophy at International Wine Challenge (UK)
Paul Cluver Marks & Spencer Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2012 – Gold Medal at International Wine Challenge (UK)