ONLY R94 a bottle, and in such good company! You might well have expected Bon Courage to lead with their flagship Inkará Shiraz, yet it’s with the relatively humble Pepper Tree version that they have excelled at Syrah du Monde in the Rhône Valley, France – the 2016 vintage from this Robertson wine estate selected among the Top 10 gold medal winners.

There were 347 entries from 24 countries in the 2018 edition of the competition, with South African cellars winning five of the 30 gold medals presented after two days of judging. For more info about the competition and the full results, see here. Star performers from the Cape given below.

SA GOLD MEDALLISTS

Bon Courage Pepper Tree Shiraz 2016
R94 pb at cellar door, Robertson

Groot Constantia Shiraz 2016
R221 pb at cellar door, Constantia

La Motte Syrah 2015
R160 pb at cellar door, Franschhoek

Saronsberg Shiraz 2016
R235 pb at cellar door,  Tulbagh

Tamboerskloof Syrah 2015
R202 pb at Kleinood cellar door, Helderberg, Stellenbosch

SA SILVER MEDALLISTS

Bellingham Homestead Shiraz 2016
R92 pb at Franschhoek Cellar

Boschendal 1685 Shiraz 2016
R125 pb at cellar door, Franschhoek

Constitution Road Shiraz 2015
R190 pb at Robertson Winery cellar door

De Grendel Shiraz 2015
R145 pb at cellar door, Panorama / Durbanville

Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2015
R275 pb at cellar door, Constantia

Hartenberg Stork Shiraz 2014
R650 at cellar door, Bottelary, Stellenbosch

Rhebokskloof Vineyard Selection Shiraz 2016
R148 pb at cellar door, Paarl

Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2016
R110 pb at cellar door, Tulbagh

Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Syrah 2014
R320 at cellar door, Helshoogte, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch