Delaire Graff ‘Most Successful Producer Overall’ at Trophy Wine Show
THE TITLE of top producer at South Africa’s Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show has gone to some pretty distinguished cellars over the years: De Trafford and Vergelegen were joint winners in 2002, Vergelegen won again in 2003 and 2004, Diemersfontein triumphed in 2005 before Vergelegen regained the title in 2006, and then followed Cape Point Vineyards (2007), Nederburg twice (2008 and 2009), Tokara (2010), Spier (2011), KWV (2012), Stark-Condé (2013), KWV again (2014) and Rustenberg (2015). At the 2016 event, Laurence Graff’s Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch was the most successful entrant, with cellarmaster Morné Vrey collecting three gold medals and a number of trophies, plus three silvers and three bronze medals.
Delaire Graff Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013 and Tokara Director’s Reserve 2014 (White Blend) were judged to be the Best Red Wine and the Best White Wine overall – this after the 2013 vintage of the Tokara had been judged Best South African White Wine at the International Wine Challenge in London. So no major surprises there, but what had many heads shaking in amazement was a white that won a bunch of trophies including that for Discovery of the Show, the best value gold medallist: Secret Cellar Chenin Blanc No. 235 2015, entered by national retail chain Ultra Liquors where the wine was on sale for just R33 a bottle!
Gold Medallists at 2016 Trophy Wine Show
TROPHY WINNERS
Brampton Pinotage 2014
DELAIRE GRAFF CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE 2013 : ‘Best Red Wine Overall’
Franschhoek Vineyards Semillon 2014 (Franschhoek Cellar)
Gabriëlskloof The Blend 2013 (Bordeaux-Style, Red)
Groote Post Merlot 2014
KWV Classic Collection Cape Tawny NV (Port)
Landzicht White Muscadel 2015
Nederburg Private Bin Eminence Noble Late Harvest Muscadel 2012
Nederburg The Young Airhawk Wooded Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2013
Secret Cellar Chenin Blanc No. 235 2015 : ‘Discovery of the Show’
Stellar Organics No Sulphur Added Shiraz 2015
TOKARA DIRECTOR’S RESERVE 2014 (Blend) : ‘Best White Wine Overall’
Vrede en Lust Artisan Cabernet Franc 2014
Zonnebloem Shiraz Mourvèdre Viognier 2014 (Distell)
MUSEUM CLASS TROPHY WINNERS
Bosman Optenhorst Chenin Blanc 2011
KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2010
KWV Limited Release Port 1948
KWV The Mentors Chardonnay 2011
Neethlingshof Short Story Collection Maria Noble Late Harvest 2009
Vergelegen G.V.B 2012 (White Blend)
ALSO GOLD MEDAL WINNERS
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2013 (Port)
Delaire Graff Chenin Blanc Swartland Reserve 2014
Delaire Graff Coastal Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Chenin Blanc Reserve 2015
Koelenbosch Chenin Blanc Wood Matured 2014 (Koelenhof Winery)
Lanzerac Mrs. English 2011 (Museum Class Chardonnay)
Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Noble Late Harvest 2005 (Museum Class)
Neil Ellis Groenekloof Shiraz 2014
Neil Ellis Woolworths Elgin Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Perdeberg Winery The Dry Land Collection Chenin Blanc 2014
Rijk’s Reserve Chenin Blanc 2011
Stellenrust Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Museum Class)
Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Syrah 2012
Vondeling Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Under the supervision of show chairman Michael Fridjhon, a total of 1067 wines were judged over three days by panels comprising international tasters Michel Bettane (writer) and Eric Goettelmann (sommelier), both of France, Simon Tam from Hong Kong, together with South African judges Trizanne Barnard (winemaker), Heidi Duminy CWM (Meridian), Christian Eedes (Winemag.co.za), Nkulu Mkhwanazi (wine educator), JD Pretorius (Steenberg) and Francois Rautenbach (Singita).
For more information about the Trophy Wine Show and the full results of the latest edition, click here. For all of the top SA wine reviews over the past year together with the prices, see here.
For details regarding the public tastings in Cape Town (3 June) and Johannesburg (10 June) at which the gold and silver medal winners will be on show, click here.
