VICTORY at the 2019 Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge went to an eleven-year-old Prestige Cuvée from Boschendal of Franschhoek, the 2008 Jean Le Long Blanc de Blancs – made from Chardonnay, spending five years on the lees (spent yeast) prior to degorgement and another year on the cork prior to release. This bottle-fermented sparkling wine had already earned gold and silver accolades internationally before winning the championship held exclusively for South African wines made according to the traditional method pioneered by the famous Champagne houses of France.

Interestingly, curiously, the Boschendal Jean Le Long 2008 also won the museum class for wines at least eight years old, a category usually contested by wines that are sold out and entered to gauge their longevity and development. On this occasion the MC winner is available for purchase, as is the eight-year-old Desiderius Pongrácz, which qualified for the museum class but was instead judged alongside much younger wines, going on to win the Brut division.

Some 134 entries were received for this year’s Challenge, the most in the history of the competition. The judges: Cape Wine Master Heidi Duminy (chair), sommelier Spencer Fondaumiere, wine educator Cathy Marston, with winemakers Elunda Basson (Steenberg) and Paul Gerber (Colmant). See below for all the trophy winners and gold medallists. More information here.

 

TROPHY WINNERS

BLANC DE BLANCS

Colmant Brut Chardonnay NV
R265pb at the cellar, Franschhoek

BRUT

Desiderius Pongrácz 2011
R500pb at JC Le Roux cellar in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch

ROSÉ

Steenberg 1682 Pinot Noir Brut NV
R235pb at Tokai cellar, Constantia Wine Route

DEMI-SEC

Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Satin Nectar Rosé 2017
R155pb at the cellar in Koelenhof, Stellenbosch

MUSEUM CLASS

Boschendal Jean Le Long Prestige Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2008
R1150pb at the cellar, Franschhoek

 

GOLD MEDALLISTS

BLANC DE BLANCS

Durbanville Hills Blanc de Blancs 2016
R155pb at cellar door, Durbanville

Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs 2015
R280pb at the cellar, Robertson

L’Ormarins Blanc de Blancs 2013 (Double Gold)
R220pb at Anthonij Rupert cellar, Franschhoek

Noble Hill Blanc de Blancs 2016
R199pb at the cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl

Tokara Blanc de Blanc 2012
R650pb at the cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

BRUT

Boschendal Grande Cuvée Brut 2014
R425pb at the cellar, Franschhoek

JC Le Roux Scintilla Vintage Reserve 2014
R300pb at Devon Valley cellar, Stellenbosch

Krone Borealis Brut 2018
R145pb at Twee Jonge Gezellen cellar, Tulbagh

Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2015
R145pb at the cellar in Koelenhof, Stellenbosch

ROSÉ

Des Dieux Rose of Sharon Brut Rosé 2011
R215pb at the cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge

Groot Constantia Brut Rosé 2017
R222pb at the cellar, Constantia

L’Ormarins Brut Rosé NV
R130pb at Anthonij Rupert cellar, Franschhoek

MUSEUM CLASS

Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs 2009
Sold out at the cellar, Robertson

Lourensford Cuvée 108 2008
Sold out at the cellar, Somerset West

Spier Brut Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2009
Sold out at the cellar, Stellenbosch