Five Generations Cab ranks among Top 50 at 2021 World Wine Awards
AMAZINGLY, given the ramifications of COVID-19 disaster restrictions internationally, there was a record number of entries from producers in 56 countries vying for a top spot in the Decanter World Wine Awards (UK). The 2021 edition of the competition was contested by 18 094 wines, assessed by nearly 170 experts including 44 Masters of Wine and 11 Master Sommeliers. Over a period of 15 days, the panels of judges awarded 229 platinum awards (97 points or higher), with 50 of these escalated to Decanter’s ultimate accolade of ‘Best in Show’.
Of the 50 most-applauded wines, one was South African, with the country’s cellars also earning nine platinum medals, 39 gold medals (95 to 96 points), 379 silvers (90 to 94 points) and 177 bronzes (85 to 89 points). It was the 2018 vintage of Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon from David Nieuwoudt’s Cederberg Private Cellar which the judges rated as the finest submission from the Cape winelands in 2021. South Africa’s ‘Best in Show’ wines at the Decanter Awards since 2016 when the accolade was introduced include Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2018, Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2014, Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2016, Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2013 and DeMorgenzon Reserve Chardonnay 2015.
France, Spain and Italy were the most successful nations in the competition, the largest in the world. For the full results and more info about the awards, click here. SA stars highlighted below.
SCORED 97 POINTS
Bellingham Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc Limited Release 2019
R235pb from Franschhoek Cellar
Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
R575pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
Constantia Glen Five 2017 (Red Blend)
R490pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Delaire Graff Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2018
R850pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte, Stellenbosch
Glen Carlou Collection Red Blend 2018
R295pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R85pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Mentors Perold 2017 (Red Blend)
R500pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
Peter Falke Kailani Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
R750pb ex-cellar, Helderberg, Stellenbosch
Quoin Rock Brut 2014 (MCC)
R450pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Warwick Trilogy 2018 (Red Blend)
R550pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
GOLD MEDALLISTS
Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2018 (Red Blend)
R540pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Babylonstoren Shiraz 2018
R265pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Babylonstoren Sprankel 2015 (MCC)
R650pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Boschendal Jean Le Long Prestige Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2009 (MCC)
R820pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Bouchard Finlayson Tête de Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
R1029pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Cederberg Shiraz 2018
R250pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
De Wetshof Bateleur Chardonnay 2018
R572pb ex-cellar, Robertson
De Wetshof Finesse Chardonnay 2020
R152pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Diemersdal Journal Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
R335pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Diemersdal Journal Pinotage 2019
R335pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Diemersdal Journal Sauvignon Blanc 2020
R225pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Francois van Niekerk Pinotage 2019
R500pb ex-producer, Wellington
Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2020
R220pb from Cederberg Private Cellar
Hartenberg Stork 2017 (Shiraz)
R845pb ex-cellar, Bottelary, Stellenbosch
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet 2017
R1250pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Constantia
Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2015 (MCC)
R160pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
L’Avenir Single Block Chenin Blanc 2019
R400pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
R720pb ex-cellar, Helderberg, Stellenbosch
Mentors Canvas 2018 (Red Blend)
R279pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
Mentors Chenin Blanc 2019
R150pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
Mentors Grenache Blanc 2018
R280pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
Mentors Pinotage 2018
R280pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Auction wine, Paarl cellar
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2018
R850pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Peter Falke Kanoa 2016 (Red Blend)
R365pb ex-cellar, Helderberg, Stellenbosch
PF Chardonnay 2020
R220pb from Peter Falke cellar, Helderberg, Stellenbosch
Piekenierskloof Chardonnay 2020
R98pb ex-cellar, Citrusdal
Quoin Rock Vine Dried Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R450pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Ridgeback His Master’s Choice Signature S 2017 (Red Blend)
R400pb ex-cellar, Windmeul, Paarl
Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2019
R450pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Saronsberg Full Circle 2019 (Red Blend)
R550pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
Saronsberg Seismic 2018 (Red Blend)
R160pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
R310pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch
Spier Creative Block 3 2017 (Red Blend)
R185pb ex-cellar, Vottenburg, Stellenbosch
Stellenview Reserve Shiraz 2017
R180pb ex-cellar, Devon Valley, Stellenbosch
Tamboerskloof Syrah 2017
R229pb from Kleinood cellar, Upper Blaauwklippen Valley, Stellenbosch
Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2018
R300pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte, Stellenbosch
Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
R350pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte, Stellenbosch
Villiera Clan 2017 (Red Blend)
R818pb ex-cellar, Koeloenhof, Stellenbosch
The success of Cederberg Five Generations at the Decanter Awards is amazing at this time when South African wines are struggling for international recognition. I hope it changes some pundits’ perspective. This must be talked about and promoted by everyone in the [SA wine] industry. We really need a “best in class” Cab to impress. Hopefully there is enough produced to get more than just a few wine people enjoying it – our everlasting problem, too little produced for too few!!