THE COMPETITION is unusual insofar as the assessments are done and the medallists announced in two tranches six months apart, followed weeks later by news of various trophy winners, and a couple of months after that by an awards dinner at which the top trophies are presented. One of the biggest events of its kind as regards the thousands of entries from 55 countries, the judging at the International Wine Challenge in London is a mammoth undertaking involving six panel chairs: Sarah Abbott MW, Tim Atkin MW, Oz Clarke, Jamie Goode, Charles Metcalfe and Peter McCombie MW.

The eighth largest producer of wine in the world, South Africa was awarded over 300 medals – 15 gold, 127 silver and 161 Bronze. According to co-chair Oz Clarke, 2018 was another fantastic year for this country at the Challenge with lots of class across a range of styles. “South Africa already has a fantastic reputation for its output of quality wines of great value. Increasingly, we’re also seeing new and established winemakers excel with great classic varieties as well as with more unusual grapes.”

And talk about consistency! Example: Cape Point Isliedh 2016 excelled in Decanter (UK) and on Winemag.co.za before shining at IWC 2018. Example: just days before, Neil Ellis Jonkershoek Cab 2015 was also one of the stars in Winemag’s Prescient Report. Example: Stellenrust is losing count of all the awards they’ve won for their Chenins.

Full report on South Africa’s performance here, and all of the competition results here.

SA GOLD MEDALLISTS AT IWC 2018

Boschendal Elgin Chardonnay 2016
Franschhoek Cellar-Door Price: R395 pb

Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2016
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley/Hermanus Cellar-Door Price: R352 pb

Cape Point Isliedh 2016 (White Blend)
Noordhoek Cellar-Door Price: R260 pb

Constantia Glen Two 2017 (White Blend)
Constantia Cellar-Door Price: R270 pb

Diemersdal MM Louw Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Durbanville Cellar-Door Price: R290 pb

Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2015
Bottelary/Stellenbosch Cellar-Door Price: R450 pb

Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Shiraz 2015
Stellenbosch Cellar-Door Price: R365 pb

Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc 2017
Stellenbosch Cellar-Door Price: R101 pb

La Couronne Chardonnay 2016
Franschhoek Cellar-Door Price: R185 pb

Neil Ellis Jonkershoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Stellenbosch Cellar-Door Price: R375 pb

Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2017
Elgin Cellar-Door Price: R300 pb (375ml)

Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2017
Stellenbosch Cellar-Door Price: R200 pb

Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2016
Stellenbosch Cellar-Door Price: R200 pb

Stellenrust Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2016
Stellenbosch Cellar-Door Price: R200 pb

Uva Mira The Single Tree Chardonnay 2015
Helderberg/Stellenbosch Cellar-Door Price: R495 pb