TOP MUSCADELS from the Cape remain oh such good fortified dessert wines, but oh so underrated – downplayed, you could argue, even by some of the producers themselves, let alone consumers with a sweet tooth who also seem to place a higher value on unfortified desserts including Noble Late Harvest, Natural Sweet and Straw Wine. The Muskadel SA association doesn’t have a website, nor a space on any of the social media platforms, however there is still a competition where the award winners have set benchmarks in the category.

Some of the regular laureates featured again at the 2019 Muscadel SA Awards, although there were some glaring absentees such as Alvi’s Drift, Boplaas, De Krans, KWV, Monis, Nuy, Rietvallei and Rooiberg. According to the organisers, some of these wines were in the line-up [but presumably didn’t match up to quality expectations], and some were not entered on the grounds of being out of stock.

This year’s champions: Badsberg Cellar outside Rawsonville in the Breedekloof, winning one platinum award and two golds, and Mont Blois Estate in Robertson, the only other platinum winner. The panel of judges: wine writer Dave Biggs (chair), Klawer winemaker Cerina van Niekerk, Altus Le Roux of Coastal Wine Exports, DGB oenologist Jaco Potgieter and Nerina Cloete, winemaker at Blaauwklippen.

PLATINUM WINNERS

Badsberg Red Muscadel 2017
R66pb from the cellar, Breedekloof

Mont Blois Pompuis Single Vineyard Estate Muscadel 2016
White. R250pb from the cellar, Robertson

GOLD LAUREATES

Badsberg Red Muscadel 2009
Museum Class, Breedekloof cellar

Badsberg Red Muscadel 2008
Museum Class, Breedekloof

Bon Courage Red Muscadel 2018
R92pb from the cellar, Robertson

Bon Courage White Muscadel 2018
R92pb from the cellar, Robertson

De Wet White Muscadel 2017
R50pb from the cellar, Worcester

Du Toitskloof Hanepoot Jerepigo 2014
R60pb from the cellar, Breedekloof

Du Toitskloof Red Muscadel 2016
R60pb from the cellar, Breedekloof

MWS White Muscadel NV
R68pb from the cellar, Montagu

Orange River Cellars Hanepoot 2017
R62pb from the cellars, Northern Cape

Orange River Cellars White Muscadel 2017
R62pb from the cellars, Northern Cape

Slanghoek Hanepoot Jerepigo 2017
R65pb from the cellar, Breedekloof

Slanghoek Red Muscadel 2018
R75pb from the cellar, Breedekloof

Slanghoek Red Muscadel 2017
R75pb from the cellar, Breedekloof