THE GOOD people of Kanonkop on the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch regularly mention that doing well in competitions is not of prime concern… Yet the estate and/or their agents continue to enter various vintages in various taste-offs and they continue to shine with their Pinotage, their Bordeaux-style red blend Paul Sauer, their Cabernet. And it can be frustrating, albeit understandable, when the award winners are ‘sold out’ at the cellar by the time the news gets out, e.g. all four gold medallists and trophy winner in the latest edition of the International Wine & Spirit Competition, also starring Jordan, Paul Cluver, Ken Forrester, Glen Carlou, KWV and Stellenrust – to name but some of South Africa’s stand-outs. See below for the top achievers, and for the full story click here.

TROPHY WINNERS AT IWSC 2015

Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2013
Kanonkop Pinotage 2012
Paul Cluver Marks & Spencer Ferricrete Riesling 2014
The FMC Chenin Blanc 2013 (Ken Forrester)

OUTSTANDING GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner The Bowline 2014 (White Blend, Cederberg)
Driehoek Shiraz 2012
Glen Carlou Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Glen Carlou The Welder Natural Sweet 2013
Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage 2010
Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage 2012
Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Noble Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2010
Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2013
Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2014
Stellenrust Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2013
Uva Mira Sing-a-Wing Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Zevenwacht 360º Sauvignon Blanc 2014

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Backsberg Hillside Viognier 2014
Benguela Cove Shiraz 2014
Boland Cellar Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014
Boschendal 1685 Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Cederberg Shiraz 2013
De Grendel Rubaiyat 2013 (Red Blend)
Graham Beck The Rhona Blanc de Blancs 2009 (MCC)
Jordan Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2014
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2007 (Red Blend)
Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2009 (MCC)
KWV Cathedral Cellar Chenin Blanc 2014
KWV The Mentors Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
KWV The Mentors Orchestra 2012 (Red Blend)
KWV The Mentors Orchestra 2013 (Red Blend)
KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2012
Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Chenin Blanc 2014
Lomond Snowbush 2012 (White Blend)
Metzer Syrah 2012
Mon Vieux Aquifer Semillon 2014 (Boutinot)
Nederburg Private Bin Eminence Natural Sweet Muscadel 2011
Nederburg The Young Airhawk Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Neethlingshof Malbec 2013
Rustenberg Stellenbosch RM Nicholson 2013 (Red Blend)
Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 2013
Sijnn 2010 (Red Blend)
Simonsig Chenin Avec Chêne 2014
Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2015
Solms Delta Koloni 2013 (Dessert)
Stellenrust Chenin Blanc 2015
Strandveld Adamastor 2013 (White Blend)
The Grinder Shiraz 2013 (Grape Grinder)
Tokara Director’s Reserve 2011 (Red Blend)
Uitkyk Chenin Blanc 2013
Uva Mira DW Syrah 2013

For more ratings and the cellar-door prices, click here.