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