THE VAST majority of entries at the annual Concours Mondial du Sauvignon 2020 were from the 2019 and 2018 vintages, but there was a South African that stood out for being way older than most: vintage 2012 of the Delaire Graff Coastal Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc, made using a combination of grapes sourced from the districts of Durbanville, Stellenbosch, Darling and Franschhoek. Why this wine was submitted was a question put to Delaire Graff Estate, off the Helshoogte Pass in Stellenbosch, particularly given that it ‘sold out’ years ago. Not that it was the oldest laureate, an honour that went to the 1970 Arhiva Sauvignon from the Ptuj Winery in Slovenia, but many would have doubted that an eight-year-old, unwooded Sauvignon (with 4% Semillon) would be chosen as South Africa’s best when up against fresher wines from a number of the country’s leading producers!

Delaire Graff Estate

There were 24 countries represented by the 1110 entries in the competition, staged over two days in the city of Blois alongside the Loire River in France and involving 75 judges from around the world – oenologists, sommeliers, wine importers and journalists. The 331 medallists included 197 silvers and 134 golds, with eight going on to win trophies. France, Austria and Italy won the most awards, followed by New Zealand and South Africa. The Loire Valley of France was by far the most successful region in terms of its medal count, followed by Styria (Austria), Bordeaux (France) and Marlborough (New Zealand). Although the special trophy for “the wine showing the purest and most refined Sauvignon expression” went to Italy’s Weingut Plonerhof for their Ploner Exclusiv 2018.

South Africa’s producers collected 12 silver medals, 12 gold medals and a trophy – see below for the country’s most highly rated wines on show. For more about Concours Mondial du Sauvignon and the full results, click here.

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Alvi’s Drift ADS Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R66pb ex-cellar, Worcester

Boschendal 1685 Sauvignon Blanc Grande Cuvée 2019
R125pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek

Delaire Graff Coastal Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Trophy winner, sold out at the cellar, Helshoogte Pass, Stellenbosch

Douglas Green Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R62pb approximate retail price, South Africa

Elgin Vintners Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R108pb ex-cellar, Elgin

Franschhoek Cellar Statue de Femme Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R77pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek

Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R220pb from Cederberg Private Cellar (grapes from Elim)

Neethlingshof Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R80 ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

Old Road Juliette Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R100pb from the producer, Franschhoek

Stellenbosch Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R90pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

Strandveld Pofadderbos Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R150pb ex-cellar, Elim

Vrede en Lust Anni Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R95pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl