A MULDERBOSCH single-vineyard Chenin and a reserve Cabernet from Stellenview were the top-scoring white and red wines at the 2019 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. However, the trophy for most successful producer overall went to Painted Wolf Wines of Paarl and that for ‘Discovery of the Show’ to Bonnievale Wines for a Cab of gold medal standard that sells for under R100pb.

Painted Wolf’s red and white flag-bearers? The niche varieties Mourvèdre and Roussanne. Proprietors Jeremy & Emma Borg and partners also won silver for their Pictus white blend, plus nine bronze medals for a range of wines including four from Chenin Blanc. Second- and third-most successful producers overall were the Cederberg Private Cellar and Jordan of Stellenbosch Kloof.

There were 956 wines judged at the show, chaired by Michael Fridjhon. On the panels: wine writer/consultant Kirk Bauer (Germany), wine writer Simon Field MW (UK) and sommelier Benjamin Roffet (France), with South Africans Narina Cloete (Blaauwklippen winemaker), Christian Eedes (Winemag editor), sommelier Patson Mathonsi (Asara brand ambassador), Alexandra McFarlane (winemaker), JD Pretorius (Warwick winemaker) and Francois Rautenbach (Singita Premier Wine Direct).

See below for the critics’ favourites. More details about the trophies, the show and the full results available here. For info about the 2019 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show Public Tastings scheduled for 12 June in Johannesburg and 20 June in Cape Town, see here.

 

TROPHY WINNERS

Bonnievale Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
R97pb from the cellar, Bonnievale

Cape Point Isliedh 2017 (White Blend)
R265pb from the cellar, Noordhoek

D’Aria Songbird Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Museum Class, Durbanville cellar

De Krans Tritonia 2016 (Red Blend)
R185pb from the cellar, Calitzdorp

Delaire Graff Cape Vintage 2017 (Port)
R420pb from Helshoogte cellar, Stellenbosch

Desiderius Pongrácz 2011 (MCC sparkling, JC Le Roux)
Museum Class, Devon Valley cellar, Stellenbosch

Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2018
R200pb from Cederberg Private Cellar

JC Le Roux Scintilla Vintage Reserve 2014 (MCC sparkling)
R300pb from the cellar in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch

Jordan Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2018
R210pb from the cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof

Kruger Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
R180pb from Stellenview, Stellenbosch

KWV Mentors Semillon 2012
Museum Class, Paarl cellar

KWV Ruby Port 1949
Museum Class, Paarl cellar

Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Grand Vin 2017 (Red Blend)
Bordeaux Style, R121pb from the cellar, Franschhoek

Mulderbosch Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2017 (Block A)
R275pb from the cellar, Polkadraai, Stellenbosch

Nederburg Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2018
R120pb (375ml) from the cellar, Paarl

Painted Wolf Mourvèdre 2017
R180pb from the producer, Paarl

Painted Wolf Roussanne 2018
R140pb from the producer, Paarl

Rustenberg Buzzard Kloof Syrah 2017
R190pb from the cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Survivor Reserve Pinotage 2017
R350pb from Overhex cellar, Worcester

Wildeberg White 2018 (Semillon)
R320pb from the producer, Franschhoek

 

GOLD MEDALLISTS

Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2009 (Port)
Museum Class, Calitzdorp cellar

Eikendal Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
R215pb from Helderberg cellar, Stellenbosch

Glen Carlou Syrah 2017
R160pb from the cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl

Hidden Valley Hidden Gems 2016 (Red Blend)
Bordeaux Style, R235pb from Helderberg cellar, Stellenbosch

KWV Mentors Semillon 2015
Museum Class, Paarl cellar

Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest 2017
R245pb (375ml) from the cellar, Stellenbosch

Neil Ellis Amica 2017 (Sauvignon Blanc)
R250pb from Helshoogte cellar, Stellenbosch

Peter Falke Méthode Cap Classique 2013
R300pb from Helderberg cellar, Stellenbosch

Spier Creative Block 2 2018 (White Blend)
R110pb from the cellar, Stellenbosch

Villion Henning Chenin Blanc 2017
R190pb from the cellar, Bot River

Warwick Professor Black 2018 (White Blend)
R350pb from the cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Zandvliet Kalkveld Shiraz 2015
R220pb from the cellar, Ashton