Best Chardonnay at 2016
Decanter World Wine Awards

OF THE 16 000 entries for the 2016 Decanter World Wine Awards in London, 31 were deemed worthy of ‘Platinum – Best in Show’ (previously referred to as ‘International Trophies’), one of which was DeMorgenzon Reserve Chardonnay 2015 from Stellenbosch Kloof, which a month earlier won a trophy at the International Wine Challenge. There were five other Platinum Awards that went the way of Cape cellars, with South Africa also winning 29 gold medals, 212 silvers and 273 bronze medals.

The wines were judged ‘blind’ by 240 tasters including 69 Masters of Wine (UK) and 26 Master Sommeliers over the period of a week. One of the sponsors was Riedel, who supplied 9000 glasses for the wine assessments.

For all of the top SA laureates, see below. For more about this international competition and the full results, see here. All of the top SA wine ratings over the past year are carried here, together with the cellar-door prices.

PLATINUM AWARD WINNERS

Cederberg Shiraz 2014
Delaire Graff Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2012
DeMORGENZON RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2015 – BEST IN SHOW
Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2014
Spier Creative Block 2 2014 (White Blend, Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon)
Wildekrans Barrel Select Reserve Pinotage 2014

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Cape Point Isliedh 2015 (White Blend, Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon)
Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Constantia Glen Five 2011 (Bordeaux-Style Red Blend)
David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (Cederberg Private Cellar)
DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2015
Driehoek Shiraz 2013
Elgin Vintners Pinot Noir 2013
Flagstone Writer’s Block Pinotage 2013
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet 2012
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc 2015
KWV Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay 2015
KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2013
KWV The Mentors Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2014
Laborie Blanc de Blanc 2010 (MCC sparkling)
Marks & Spencer Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (Cape Peninsula)
Nederburg Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2014
Nicolas van der Merwe Syrah 2013
Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2015
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2015
Peter Falke Exclusive Blend 2013 (Bordeaux-Style Red)
Saronsberg Full Circle 2014 (Rhône-Style Red Blend)
Saronsberg Shiraz 2014
TSW Reserve Syrah 2015 (Trizanne)
Uva Mira O.T.V 2013 (Bordeaux-Style Red Blend)
Uva Mira The Single Tree Chardonnay 2014
Waitrose Private Cellar Shiraz 2014 (Cederberg)
Wildekrans Barrel Select Reserve Pinot Noir 2013
Wildekrans Barrel Select Reserve Shiraz 2014