Leading contenders for SA Wine of the Year – January to June 2016

Alto Shiraz NV styled image (LR) (cropped)AT THE TOP of the list when it comes to South Africa’s most successful wines on the show circuit during the first half of 2016 are a variety of beauties, red and white, dry to sweet – see below. Two are from the Delaire Graff ‘resort’ in Banghoek off the Helshoogte Pass, surely on track to become one of the Top 20 in the SA Cellar Classification. Two are from DeMorgenzon in Stellenbosch Kloof, where the vintners play baroque music to their vines… Two are from Tulbagh champion Saronsberg and two are from the Cederberg Private Cellar, which recently benefitted from a facelift and to which grapes are trucked all the way from Elim in the Cape Agulhus district to make wines under the Ghost Corner labels.

For articles on these achievements and highlights of the respective panel tastings, see here. For all of the top SA wine reviews during the past couple of years, the prices and availability, click here. Or, for the addresses and contact details of the wineries, see the directory of Top SA wine producers.

CHARDONNAY

DeMorgenzon Reserve Chardonnay 2015
Trophies at Decanter World Wine Awards and International Wine Challenge in London

Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Unwooded Chardonnay 2015
Grand Gold award at international Concours Mondial

Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2015
Top 10 gold medallist at Chardonnay du Monde in Burgundy, France

Lourensford Limited Release Chardonnay 2015
Grand Gold award at Concours Mondial

Uva Mira The Single Tree Chardonnay 2014
Master award at Drinks Business Masters, gold medals at Decanter Awards and Chardonnay du Monde

CHENIN BLANC

DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2015
Trophy at International Wine Challenge, gold medal at Decanter World Wine Awards

SAUVIGNON BLANC

David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (Cederberg Private Cellar)
Gold medal at Decanter World Wine Awards in London, gold medal at Mondial du Sauvignon in Spain

Delaire Graff Coastal Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Gold medal at Mondial du Sauvignon in Spain, gold medal at SA Trophy Wine Show

Zevenwacht Z 360º Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Gold medal at Mondial du Sauvignon in Spain

SEMILLON

Franschhoek Vineyards Semillon 2014
Trophy at International Wine Challenge in London, Best in Class at SA Trophy Wine Show

WHITE BLENDS

Tokara Director’s Reserve 2014 – Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Top-scoring white wine at SA Trophy Wine Show

Tokara Director’s Reserve 2013 – Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Trophy at International Wine Challenge

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Delaire Graff Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013
Top-scoring red wine at SA Trophy Wine Show, top score in Winemag.co.za’s Cabernet Sauvignon Report

PINOT NOIR

Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2013
Gold medal at Drinks Business Masters in London, 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide

SHIRAZ

Alto Shiraz 2013
Gold medal at Syrah du Monde in the Rhône, France, Top 12 at Shiraz SA Challenge

Bellingham The Bernard Series Organic Syrah 2012
Top 10 gold medallist at Syrah du Monde in the Rhône, France

Cederberg Shiraz 2014
Platinum award at Decanter World Wine Awards, Top 12 at Shiraz SA Challenge, gold medal at Concours Mondial

Saronsberg Shiraz 2014
Gold medals at Decanter Awards and Concours Mondial, Top 12 at Shiraz SA Challenge

RED BLENDS

Clos Malverne Auret Cape Blend 2013 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Merlot
Grand Gold award at Concours Mondial

Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2013 – Cabernets Sauvignon & Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Top score at Winemag.co.za’s Red Hot Wine Awards

Saronsberg Full Circle 2014 – Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre
Trophy at International Wine Challenge, gold medal at Decanter World Wine Awards

SWEET DESSERT

Nederburg Eminence Muscadel 2014 – Muscat de Frontignan (Unfortified)
Trophies at International Wine Challenge and SA Trophy Wine Show, Top 10 gold medallist at Muscats du Monde

PORT

Axe Hill Cape Vintage 2013 – Touriga Naçional, Souzão, Tinta Barocca (Fortified)
Winner of the CAPPA Port Challenge

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