AFTER assessing over 16 500 entries, the 2019 Decanter World Wine Award judges selected 50 considered ‘Best in Show’. France was the most successful of the 57 wine-producing countries participating at this international competition held in London, followed by Spain, Australia, Portugal and Italy in terms of their number of show-stoppers. No South Africans cracked the nod for one of these trophies, however, of the 148 wines judged worthy of a prestigious platimun award (scored 97-plus out of 100), six went the way of the Cape – three to cellars in Stellenbosch, one to Constantia, one to Franschhoek and another to the Swartland Winery outside Malmesbury.

South African wineries also won 20 gold medals and 231 silvers, not to mention the many bronze medals and other commendations. The panel tastings took place over a week and involved over 280 judges from 30 countries, including 70 Masters of Wine and 23 Master Sommeliers. For more info about the awards and the full results, click here.

 

PLATINUM LAUREATES

Beyerskloof Faith 2014 (Cape Blend, Red)
R700pb from Stellenbosch Cellar

Constantia Glen Five 2015 (Bordeaux-Style Red Blend)
R390pb from Constantia Cellar

Le Lude Vintage Cuvée 2012 (MCC Sparkling)
R1195pb from Franschhoek Cellar

Nicolas van der Merwe Syrah 2017
R350pb from Polkadraai Hills Cellar, Stellenbosch

Swartland Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2017
R90pb from Malmesbury Cellar, Swartland

Tokara Director’s Reserve 2016 (Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend)
R270pb from Helshoogte Cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

 

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

De Grendel Op die Berg Chardonnay 2018
R200pb from Panorama Cellar, Durbanville Wine Route

Delaire Graff Laurence Graff Reserve 2015 (Cabernet)
R4000pb from Helshoogte Cellar, Stellenbosch

DeMorgenzon Reserve Chardonnay 2018
R395pb from Stellenbosch Kloof Cellar

DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2018
R395pb from Stellenbosch Kloof Cellar

First Sighting Sauvignon Blanc 2018
R80pb from Strandveld Cellar outside Elim, Cape Agulhas

Idiom Bordeaux-Style Red Blend 2015
R300pb from Sir Lowry’s Pass Cellar, Somerset West

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet 2015
R1095pb (500ml) from Constantia Cellar

Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2017
R108pb from Stellenbosch Cellar

Lanzerac Le Général 2016 (Bordeaux-Style Red Blend)
R545pb from Jonkershoek Cellar, Stellenbosch

Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2017
R330pb (375ml) from Elgin Cellar

Paul Cluver Riesling 2018
R100pb from Elgin Cellar

Ridgeback His Master’s Choice Signature C 2016
Bordeaux-Style Red Blend. R330pb from Paarl Cellar

Rondekop Stone Axe 2016 (Shiraz)
R380pb from Oldenburg Cellar, Banghoek, Stellenbosch

Stark-Condé Field Blend 2018 (White)
R205pb from Jonkershoek Cellar, Stellenbosch

Stark-Condé Oude Nektar 2016 (Bordeaux-Style Red Blend)
R730pb from Jonkershoek Cellar, Stellenbosch

Uva Mira Chardonnay 2017
R750pb from Helderberg Cellar, Stellenbosch

Uva Mira O.T.V. 2016 (Bordeaux-Style Red Blend)
R1200pb from Helderberg Cellar, Stellenbosch

Uva Mira The Mira Chardonnay 2017
R210pb from Helderberg Cellar, Stellenbosch

Uva Mira The Single Tree Chardonnay 2017
R530pb from Helderberg Cellar, Stellenbosch

Wildekrans Barrel Select Reserve Chenin Blanc 2017
R265pb from Bot River Cellar, Walker Bay