THERE WERE A NUMBER of familiar labels among the ‘Best in Class' and ‘Wine of the Year' laureates that shone in the 2021 SA National Wine Challenge, but nobody could have anticipated the identity of the overall red wine champion. A newcomer from the Koelenhof Winery, The Legacy 2017 is the first (Cab-led) red blend in the premium ‘Stellenbosch 1679' range that was introduced with a Bush Vine Chenin Blanc and which has expanded to also feature a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Pinotage – the 2019 vintage of the Pinot Noir-Cinsaut cross another of the champions at this year's Challenge.
The Koelenhof wine cellar dates back to 1941 when it was founded as a co-operative serving the farmers of the area. Today there are over 60 shareholders and the winery's reputation established since the 1970s is one of competitive pricing, outstanding value for money. Time will tell how the team fares at the luxury end of the market but victory on the local show circuit has given them a kick-start for their Bordeaux-style beauty selling at over R500 a bottle.
The panel of judges at the National Wine Challenge comprised winemakers Duncan Savage of Cape Town, JD Pretorius of Warwick in Stellenbosch and Elgin-based British Master of Wine Richard Kershaw, together with Cape Wine Master Ginette de Fleuriot. Besides Koelenhof, other multiple award winners included Flagstone of Somerset West, Jordan of Stellenbosch, Boplaas of Calitzdorp as well as Highlands Road and Paul Cluver of Elgin. See below for the most lauded of the 600-plus entries received by show convener Robin von Holdt of Buybetterwine.com and tasting director Higgo Jacobs. Top 100 wines here.
NWC WINES OF THE YEAR
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2017 (Port Style)
R295pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp
Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2016 (Cap Classique Sparkling)
R280pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Oak Valley Tabula Rasa South Ridge CY95 Chardonnay 2018
R700pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Stellenbosch 1679 Legacy 2017 (Red Blend)
R525pb from Koelenhof Winery, Stellenbosch
ALSO NWC CLASS WINNERS
Albertus Viljoen Bismarck 2018 (Red Blend)
R290pb from Alvi's Drift, Worcester
Boplaas Touriga Naçional 2019
R88pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp
Cloof Inkspot 2018 (Red Blend)
R82pb ex-cellar, Darling
Du Toitskloof Nebbiolo 2016
R95pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville
Erasmus Family Grenache 2019
R160pb from Cape Wine Co, Paarl
Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2017
R330pb ex-cellar, Somerset West
Flagstone Music Room Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
R330pb ex-cellar, Somerset West
Flagstone Treaty Tree Red Reserve 2018
R130pb ex-cellar, Somerset West
Highlands Road Semillon 2019
R210pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Highlands Road Sine Cera 2018 (White Blend)
R180pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Holden Manz Rothko Rosé 2020
R140pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Jordan Black Magic Merlot 2018
R190pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof
Jordan Real McCoy Riesling 2020
R139pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof
Klein Jakkals Syrah 2019
R125pb from Maree Family Wines, Somerset West
Painted Wolf Roussanne 2019
R170pb from the producer, Paarl
Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2020
R375pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Elgin
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2017
R850pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Paul Wallace Black Dog Malbec 2018
R210pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Retief Reserve Cape White Blend 2019
R96pb from Van Loveren cellar, Robertson
Rietvallei Red Muscadel 2018
R85pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Robertson
Saronsberg Full Circle 2019 (Red Blend)
R550pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
Stellenbosch 1679 Pinotage 2019
R270pb from Koelenhof Winery, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Chenin Blanc 2019
R165pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Thokozani Cabernet Franc 2019
R115pb from Diemersfontein cellar, Wellington
Vrede en Lust Viognier 2020
R140pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
