THE VERTEX trophy for Overall Champion at the 2018 Veritas Awards was presented to JC Le Roux of Distell for their Pongrácz Blanc de Blancs NV Cap Classique. This bubbly, made from Chardonnay in the style for which Champagne is famous, was the highest-scoring wine among the double gold medallists selected from over 1600 entries in this competition convened by the South African National Wine Show Association.

The panel choosing the champion wine was chaired by Master of Wine Cathy van Zyl and included 14 judges, six based outside South Africa.  In total, there were 106 judges on the various panels, whose favourite categories comprised sparkling wine, Cabernet Sauvignon and the sweet wines. Double gold medals were presented for 50 entries, including 11 brandies, with other awards including 219 golds, 671 silvers and 559 bronze medals.

For the names of the most successful wines on show, see below – there were no double gold medals awarded in certain categories including (still) white wines made from Chardonnay and reds from Pinotage. For more about the Veritas Awards see here, and for the full results of the 2018 competition, see here.

 

Double Gold White Wines

CHENIN BLANC

Albertus Vijoen Chenin Blanc 2017 (Wooded)
R183 pb at Alvi’s Drift Cellar, Worcester

Gustus Chenin Blanc 2018 (Unwooded)
R76 pb at Darling Cellars

Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2013
Museum Class entry from Stellenbosch Cellar

COLOMBAR

Orange River Cellars Colombard 2018 (Unwooded)
R38 pb at Upington Cellar

SAUVIGNON BLANC

Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Sur Lie 2017 (U)
R194 pb at Stellenbosch Cellar

KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (Unwooded)
R125 pb at Paarl Cellar

Orange River Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Unwooded)
R44 pb at Upington Cellar

WHITE BLENDS

Darling Cellars Lady Ann 2017 (Wooded)
R136 pb at Darling Cellars

Ghost Corner The Bowline 2016 (Wooded)
R210 pb at Cederberg Cellar

 

Double Gold Sparkling Wines

CAP CLASSIQUE

Anura Brut 2013
R195 pb at Simonsberg-Paarl Cellar

Desiderius Pongrácz 2011
R490 pb at JC Le Roux Cellar in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch

Perdeberg Vineyard Collection Chenin Blanc Brut Reserve 2012
Museum Class entry from Paarl Cellar

Pongrácz Blanc de Blancs NV
R180 pb from JC Le Roux Cellar in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch

 

Double Gold Red Wines

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Ernie Els Proprietor’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
R325 pb at Helderberg Cellar, Stellenbosch

Glenelly Glass Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
R105 pb at Stellenbosch Cellar

Naledi Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Museum Class entry from Spier Cellar, Stellenbosch

Neil Ellis Jonkershoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
R375 pb at Helshoogte Cellar, Stellenbosch

PETIT VERDOT

KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2016
R220 pb at Paarl Cellar

SHIRAZ

Cederberg Shiraz 2016
R220 pb at Cederberg Private Cellar

Ormonde Shiraz 2015
R195 pb at Darling Cellar

RED BLENDS

Fleur du Cap Laszlo 2015
R430 pb at The Bergkelder, Stellenbosch

KWV The Mentors Canvas 2014
R220 pb at Paarl Cellar

RED BLENDS – BORDEAUX-STYLE

Spier Creative Block 5 2013
R149 pb at Stellenbosch Cellar

RED BLENDS – CAPE BLENDS / PINOTAGE LED

Cape West Cabernet Sauvignon Pinotage 2017
R65 pb at Namaqua Cellar outside Vredendal

 

Double Gold Sweet Wines

FORTIFIED

Boplaas Heritage Collection Muscadel 2013
R140 pb at Calitzdorp Cellar

Du Toitskloof Red Muscadel 2015
R60 pb from Rawsonville Cellar, Breedekloof

Nuy Red Muscadel 1993
Museum Class entry from Worcester Cellar

Nuy Red Muscadel 2010
Museum Class entry from Worcester Cellar

Nuy White Muscadel 2006
Museum Class entry from Worcester Cellar

Nuy White Muscadel 2012
Museum Class entry from Worcester Cellar

Rooiberg Red Muscadel 2016
R59 pb at Robertson Cellar

Slanghoek Hanepoot Jerepigo 2017
R60 pb at Breedekloof Cellar

FORTIFIED – PORT STYLE

Boplaas Cape Tawny Vintner’s Reserve NV
R294 pb at Calitzdorp Cellar

Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2015
R225 pb at Calitzdorp Cellar

Calitzdorp Cape Vintage 2016
R90 pb at Calitzdorp Cellar

De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2015
R260 pb at Calitzdorp Cellar

NOBLE LATE HARVEST

Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc 2012
Auction wine fron Paarl Cellar

Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest 2012
Museum Class entry from Stellenbosch Cellar

STRAW WINE

Orange River Cellars Straw Wine 2017
R118 pb (375ml) at Upington Cellar