CONTENDERS for the title of SA Wine of the Year? Winery of the Year? Winemaker of the Year? Clearly some awards and ratings count more than others. Then again, it says a lot when a wine wows more than one panel of experts – three or four even. Cederberg? Constantia Glen? Stellenrust? De Grendel? Or any of the other distinguished cellars represented by these 24 of South Africa’s top wines on show during the past 12 months? Who would you choose as ‘top gun’ in 2019?

SUPER-TROPHY WINNERS

Boschendal Jean le Long Blanc de Blancs 2008
Cap Classique Sparkling, Franschhoek Cellar, R1150pb
Overall Winner at Cap Classique Challenge (SA)

Cederberg Brut Blanc de Blanc 2014
Cap Classique Sparkling, R195
Best SA Wine at Sparkling Wine World Championships (UK)

Cederberg Waitrose Shiraz 2017
WO Cederberg, Export Only, Waitrose Own-Label
Winner of IWSC Shiraz Trophy (UK)

Constantia Glen Five 2015
Red Blend, WO Constantia, R390pb
Winner of IWSC Blended Red Wine Trophy (UK)

Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2018
WO Constantia, R180pb
Best SA White Wine at International Wine Challenge (UK)

De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2018
WO Robertson, R132pb
Winner of Chardonnay du Monde (BE)

Des Dieux Chardonnay 2015
WO Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, R170pb
Vertex Trophy winner for Top Score Overall at Veritas Awards (SA)

Ghost Corner Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2017
From Cederberg Private Cellar, WO Cape Agulhas, R230pb
Best Sauvignon Blanc at Six Nations Challenge (AU)

Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2018
WO Constantia, R260pb
Grand Prix Trophy winner for Top Score Overall at Michelangelo Awards (SA)

Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Sold Out
Winner of IWSC Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy (UK)

Kruger Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
From Stellenview, WO Stellenbosch, R174pb
Top-Scoring Red Overall at Trophy Wine Show (SA)

Mulderbosch Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2017 (Block A)
WO Stellenbosch, R275pb
Top-Scoring White Overall at Trophy Wine Show (SA)

Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2017
WO Elgin, R330pb (375ml)
Best SA Sweet at International Wine Challenge (UK)

Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2018
WO Stellenbosch, R210pb
Winner of IWSC Chenin Blanc Trophy (UK)

Vilafonté Series C 2016
Red Blend, WO Simonsberg-Paarl, R1450pb
Best Bordeaux Blend at Six Nations Challenge (AU)

MOST APPLAUDED

Albertus Viljoen Bismarck 2017
Red Blend, from Alvi’s Drift, WO Worcester, R268pb
Best in Class at National Wine Challenge (SA)
One of Top 3 Blends at Shiraz SA Challenge
Double Gold at Veritas Awards (SA)

De Grendel Op die Berg Chardonnay 2018
WO Ceres, Panorama Cellar on Durbanville Wine Route, R200pb
95/100 in Decanter Magazine (UK)
Gold at IWSC (UK)
Double Gold at Veritas Awards (SA)
95/100 on Winemag (SA)

Desiderius Pongrácz 2011
Cap Classique Sparkling, from JC Le Roux (Distell) in Stellenbosch, R500pb
Best Bubbly at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
Trophy at Cap Classique Challenge (SA)
Double Gold at Veritas Awards (SA)
Gold at Drinks Business Masters (UK)

Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve 2018
WO Durbanville, R160pb
5 Stars in Platter’s Guide (SA)
A Winner in Top 10 Pinotage Competition (SA)
Gold at Six Nations Challenge (AU)

Hidden Valley Hidden Gems 2016
Red Blend, WO Stellenbosch, R235pb
5 Stars in Platter’s Guide (SA)
Gold at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
Gold at IWSC (UK)

Nederburg Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2018
Paarl Cellar, R120pb (375ml)
Best Dessert Wine at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
Gold at IWSC (UK)
Platinum at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
Gold at Six Nations Challenge (AU)

Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2017
WO Elgin, R330pb (375ml)
Trophy at International Wine Challenge (UK)
96/100 in Decanter Magazine (UK)
Gold at Six Nations Challenge (AU)

Saronsberg Full Circle 2017
Red Blend, WO Tulbagh, R440pb
A Wine of the Year in Platter’s Guide (SA)
Double Gold at Michelangelo Awards
Gold at Six Nations Challenge (AU)

Shannon Mount Bullet 2016
Merlot, WO Elgin, R465pb
A Wine of the Year in Platter’s Guide (SA)
Best in Class at National Wine Challenge (SA)
Double Gold at Six Nations Challenge (AU)

Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2017
WO Stellenbosch, R210pb
Gold at International Wine Challenge (UK)
Gold at IWSC (UK)
Gold at Six Nations Challenge (AU)

 

• For all of the top South African wine ratings during the past year, see here. For information about the top wine-judging panels, see here.