Another world-class showing! Kanonkop reigns supreme at IWSC awards

TROPHY FOR the most Outstanding Wine Producer at the 2019 International Wine & Spirit Competition and the most successful in the history of the event, going back to 1969. An impressive ‘feather in the cap’ for Kanonkop, Stellenbosch and the Cape winelands in general, it was one of the highlights during an awards banquet at the Guildhall in London end-November, weeks after most of the IWSC results had been announced. Moreover, the trophy presentation to Kanonkop followed that for Red Wine Producer of the Year to another South African winery, the Cederberg Private Cellar.

A month before, Cederberg had been honoured for top Shiraz in the competition, a wine made exclusively for UK supermarket chain Waitrose, whereas Kanonkop had won the Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy with their 2006 vintage, a golden oldie relative to the current-release 2015.

One of the biggest shows on the world’s wine and spirits calendar, the IWSC attracts around 5500 entries from some 50 countries. Since the trophy for Winemaker of the Year was introduced in 1984, Kanonkop has won the award four times: in 1991, while Beyers Truter was in charge of the cellar, and on three occasions during the tenure of incumbent cellarmaster Abrie Beeslaar – in 2008, 2015 and 2017. Over-and-above this, the estate on the foothills of the Simonsberg has earned 15 IWSC trophies for the best Cab or Pinotage or Bordeaux-style red blend since the first wine was bottled in 1973.

For Kanonkop proprietor Johann Krige’s reaction to the latest accolade, click here. For more from the IWSC or info about the other laureates, see here.

 

 

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3 comments

  • I have two bottles of 2006 Kanonkop Black Label and would like the current value?

    • Lucky you! Envious me! In 2019 the 2006 vintage of Kanonkop Black Label sold on auction in Johannesburg and Cape Town for around R2466pb and R2086pb respectively – which is less than I thought it would have fetched. Of course, how much you can expect to get for your two bottles depends on the storage conditions and on who is buying. Perhaps a specialist wine merchant might be interested. Or you could start planning for a wonderful dinner party…

      • 2006 was our first release of the Black Label (in 2009). Only 1000 bottles. At R1000 each. The 2017 is selling for R1950, and we are now producing some 5000 bottles annually. You can make your own calculations re inflation etc. We’re planning some 10 year verticals in London, Europe, USA and Beijing this year to get a better idea of investment value. Best advice now is to view it as an investment in pleasure! 2006 was a great vintage. I would hold on, provided they are cellared under good conditions.

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