IT CAN TAKE a while to get your head around the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards held in South Africa. Platinum medals are presented for wines scored 96+ out of 100, but not if they go on to win a trophy. Trophies are awarded to wines that scored highest in their classes, but they are not awarded in every class and not all of the trophy winners necessarily scored 96+. Moreover, at the prize-giving, some entries are honoured with special awards that are differentiated from the trophies but similarly showcased.

There were over 2000 entries in the 2019 edition of the Michelangelo Awards that involved 30 judges from 22 countries, including six South African wine and spirit experts. The top-scoring wine overall was Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2018, although the Chardonay trophy went to La Vierge on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge for their Apogée 2017. Groot Constantia also won the trophy for Best Shiraz with their 2016 vintage and a double gold medal for their 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, yet the accolade of Top Producer at the show went to Boplaas Family Vineyards of Calitzdorp on the strength of their sweet wines: a trophy for their sold-out Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2009 and platinum medals for their Cape Vintage Reserve 2017 (Port) and a 2014 White Muscadel.

For all of the panels’ favourites, see below. For the full results and more information about the competition, click here.

TROPHY WINNERS

Arabella Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R55pb from the cellar, Ashton

Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2009 (Port)
Museum Class entry, Calitzdorp cellar

Christina Brut NV  (MCC Sparkling)
R121pb from Van Loveren cellar, Robertson

Elgin Vintners Pinot Noir 2017
R220pb from the cellar, Elgin

Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2018
R260pb from the cellar, Constantia

Groot Constantia Shiraz 2016
R249pb from the cellar, Constantia

Idiom Bordeaux-Style Blend 2015 (Red)
R300pb from the cellar, Sir Lowry’s Pass

Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2017
R500pb from the cellar in Bottelary, Stellenbosch

La Vierge Apogée Chardonnay 2017
R550pb from the cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge

Lazanou Organic Chenin Blanc Chardonnay Viognier 2018
R140pb from the cellar, Wellington

Mariëtte Chenin Blanc 2018
R175pb from Le Belle Rebelle cellar, Rawsonville

Neethlingshof Merlot 2017
R105pb from the cellar, Stellenbosch

Ormonde Theodore Eksteen 2007 (Red Blend)
Museum Class entry, Darling cellar

Raka Erica Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Price to be confirmed, Klein River cellar, Overberg

Rooiberg Cape Blend 2015 (Red)
R125pb from the cellar, Robertson

Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc 2017
R140pb from the cellar in Banghoek, Stellenbosch

PLATINUM LAUREATES

Bayede! 7 Icon Pinotage 2017
R268pb from the cellar, Paarl

Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2017 (Port)
R350pb from the cellar, Calitzdorp

Boplaas Heritage Collection White Muscadel 2014
R140pb from the cellar, Calitzdorp

De Krans Muscat de Frontignan 2019
R95pb from the cellar, Calitzdorp

De Wetshof The Site Chardonnay 2016
R225pb from the cellar, Robertson

Nederburg Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2018
R120pb (375ml) from the cellar, Paarl

PF Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
R180pb from Peter Falke cellar, Stellenbosch

Zandvliet Muscat 2018 (Natural Sweet)
R110pb from the cellar, Ashton