Pinotage Trophy for 2014 vintage of Beyerskloof Diesel at IWSC 2018
BEYERSKLOOF of Stellenbosch has been awarded the trophy for best Pinotage in the 2018 International Wine & Spirit Competition, with the judges commending the 2014 vintage of Beyerskloof Diesel for its “great concentration of flavours on the palate, silky smooth texture, and long finish with a hint of chocolate”. The Pinotage specialists were also honoured for their Cape Blend, Faith, among the outstanding gold medallists.
Another South African producer singled out for special praise by the London-based organisers was Spier, also of Stellenbosch, who won the Chenin Blanc trophy for the 2016 vintage of their 21 Gables. Among the judges’ tasting notes: “Ripe melon and papaya overlaid with sweet almond and vanilla oak, complete and balanced palate, silky smooth with a lovely marriage of fruit and high quality oak.”
Something weird about the IWSC’s announcement of South Africa’s performance in the competition, however, was the kudos heaped on Warwick – it being one of just four wineries named in the media release even though it was neither one of the trophy winners nor one of the outstanding gold medallists! Moreover, the only other cellar to get a mention in the announcement was Vilafonté – described as a Paarl-based winery, which will surprise the winemaker who’s been attending to tanks and barrels on premises at Bosman’s Crossing in Stellenbosch, and whose owners include Mike Ratcliffe, whose family sold Warwick to Eileses Capital of the USA earlier in the year. Go figure!
TROPHY LAUREATES
Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2014
R750 pb at cellar door, Stellenbosch
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2016
R198 pb at cellar door, Stellenbosch
OUTSTANDING GOLD
Bartinney Hourglass Chardonnay 2017
R620 pb at the cellar door in Banghoek, Stellenbosch
Beyerskloof Faith 2014 (Red Blend)
R675 pb at cellar door, Stellenbosch
Beyerskloof Faith 2015 (Red Blend)
R675 pb at cellar door, Stellenbosch
Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
R185 pb at cellar door in Helderberg, Stellenbosch
Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2015
R128 pb (375ml) at the Bergkelder, Stellenbosch
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Chardonnay 2016
R144 pb at the Bergkelder, Stellenbosch
Grand Vin de Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (Origin)
Export Only, Stellenbosch Cellar
Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2015 (Natural Sweet)
R641 pb (375ml) at cellar door, Constantia
Holden Manz Big G 2014 (Red Blend)
R150 pb at cellar door, Franschhoek
La Cave Pinotage 2017 (Wellington Wines)
R165 pb at cellar door, Wellington
Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest 2016
R30 pb (375ml) at cellar door, Stellenbosch
Oldenburg Merlot 2015
R165 pb at cellar door in Banghoek, Stellenbosch
Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2017
R300 pb (375ml) at cellar door, Elgin
Spier 21 Gables Sauvignon Blanc 2017
R175 pb at cellar door, Stellenbosch
Vilafonté Series M 2016 (red blend)
R600 pb at cellar door, Stellenbosch
Villiera Monro Brut 2012 (MCC)
R220 pb at cellar door in Koelenhof, Stellenbosch
Waverley Hills Organic Shiraz Mourvédre Viognier 2013
R130 pb at the cellar door outside Tulbagh
For more about the competition and the full results, click here.