97/100 was the top score awarded at the 2020 edition of the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. The wine: Shiraz, from grapes harvested near Elim, Cape Agulhas, a 2018 Reserve from Kommetjie resident Trizanne Barnard who rents cellar space in Noordhoek. Other ‘super' trophies went to Mulderbosch's Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (top-scoring white wine) and Steen op Hout Chenin Blanc 2019 (best-value gold medallist), with Kleine Zalze, also of Stellenbosch, winning the title of Most Successful Producer Overall for a haul of medals as well as trophies for best Chenin Blanc and best Cap Classique bubbly on show with their Family Reserve Chenin 2018 and their 2013 Vintage Brut.
There were 747 South African wines from 161 producers entered in this respected competition convened by leading wine authority Michael Fridjhon, who has chaired the panel of judges since the show's inception in 2002. Of all the trophy-winning wines listed below, two more that warrant extra special kudos are the 2017 vintage of Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon, also a Decanter gold medallist (UK) as well a Mondial grand gold medallist (BE), and the 2018 Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay, also a trophy winner at the Decanter World Wine Awards in the UK – both wines perennially in the Top Wine SA Hall of Fame.
To see and hear the judges give their feedback, click here.
TROPHY LAUREATES
Buitenverwachting ‘1769' 2017 (Noble Late Harvest)
R350pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Constantia
Cape of Good Hope Riebeeksrivier Caroline 2016 (White Blend)
R175pb from Anthonij Rupert cellar, Franschhoek
Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
R550pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2017 (Port)
R325pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp
Durbanville Hills Tangram White 2018
R375pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2018
R220pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut 2013 (MCC)
R238pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
KWV Port 1948
R6800pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Morgenster Lourens River Valley 2014 (Red Blend)
R190pb ex-cellar, Somerset West
Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R95pb ex-cellar, Polkadraai, Stellenbosch
Mulderbosch Steen op Hout Chenin Blanc 2019
R85pb ex-cellar, Polkadraai, Stellenbosch
Ormonde Basson Pinotage 2018
R105pb from Ormonde cellar, Darling
Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2011
Museum Class, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch cellar
Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2018
R410pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch Vineyards Limited Release Verdelho 2019
R275pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Trizanne Reserve Syrah 2018
R250pb ex-producer, Kommetjie/Noordhoek
Underworld ‘Blend 3' 2019 (Red)
R163pb from Wildeberg cellar, Franschhoek
Warwick Cabernet Franc 2017
R420pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
GOLD MEDALLISTS
Allée Bleue Shiraz 2018
R180pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Bouchard Finlayson Crocodile's Lair Chardonnay 2018
R186pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Buitenverwachting Sauvignon Blanc 2017
R110pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Cape Point Isliedh 2018 (White Blend)
R350pb ex-cellar, Noordhoek
Celine Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut NV (MCC)
R170pb from Nuy cellar, Worcester
Cilmor Limited Edition Wooded Chenin Blanc Viognier 2019
R120pb ex-cellar, Worcester
David Finlayson Camino Africana Cabernet Franc 2017
R295pb from Edgebaston cellar, STellenbosch
Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2017 (Red Blend)
R315pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte, Stellenbosch
Des Dieux Chardonnay 2016
R195pb from producer, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Diemersdal Shiraz 2018
R100pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Hogan Chenin Blanc 2017
R345pb from producer, Banghoek, Stellenbosch
KWV Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
R129pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Mt Vernon Galileo 2015 (Red Blend)
R275pb ex-cellar, Klapmuts, Paarl
Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest 2019
R260pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Nicky Versfeld Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R96pb from producer, Somerset West
Nuy Red Muscadel 2010
R134pb ex-cellar, Worcester
Nuy Red Muscadel 2014
R134pb ex-cellar, Worcester
Pledge Sauvignon Blanc 2020
R155pb from Grand Domaine, Devon Valley, Stellenbosch
Springfontein Daredevels' Drums Skins Agleam Sauvignon Blanc 2018
R355pb ex-cellar, Stanford
Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R125pb ex-cellar, Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch
Tokara Director's Reserve White 2017
R280pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
