THE International Wine & Spirit Competition organisers in the UK are holding back on announcing their 2021 trophy winners, but in the meantime they’ve disclosed the names of gold medallists including 26 South African wines (see below for those scored 96 or 95 out of 100) while teasing the audience with some feedback from the judges. The top-scoring SA wines listed up front include the 12 Mile Syrah 2018 from the Old Road Wine Co in Franschhoek, the 2019 Noble Late Harvest from Nederburg in Paarl and several vintages of Vilafonté Series C released some years ago from the cellar in Stellenbosch. However, we’re led to believe that the best news from the panels has yet to come…

Of the styles that showed particularly well, it was the red blends – namely the SA Shiraz and Rhône-style blends – that John Hoskins MW was moved to comment on: “This style has the spicey peppery character to keep them interesting and makes them stand out.” About Merlot, the feeling was that SA winemakers had got to grips with the variety and were making wines that are plush without being overly-oaked or heavy. They were also outspoken about SA Cabernet having performed well. Regarding the country’s sparkling wines, they mentioned that there was “one notable flight of fizz which caused particular delight”. And in terms of South Africa’s Cinsaut Pinot Noir cross: “There were some great examples of well-handled Pinotage which has been made to age.”

For the full IWSC results to date, click here. The announcement of the trophy laureates was scheduled for 25 October (wines) and 1 November (producers).

 

GOLD MEDALLISTS

Bartinney Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
R250pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch

Bellingham Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc Limited Release 2020
R189pb from Franschhoek Cellar

Bloemendal Semillon 2015
R160pb ex-cellar, Durbanville

Boschendal 1685 Pinotage 2018
R142pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek

Boschendal Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
R225pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek

Boschendal Vin D’Or Noble Late Harvest 2018
R410pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Franschhoek

Bouchard Finlayson Crocodile’s Lair Chardonnay 2019
R186pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2019
R394pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Fairview Pinotage 2020
R110pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Francois Haasbroek Rock View Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Export only (Naked Wines)

Glen Carlou Syrah 2019
R180pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl

Kanu Pinotage 2019
R145pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2020
R150pb ex-cellar, Constantia

Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Museum Class entry, Stellenbosch cellar

MAN Free-Run Steen Chenin Blanc 2021
R79pb from Lievland cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Nederburg Brut 2013 (MCC)
R195pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Nederburg Noble Late Harvest 2019
R130pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Paarl

Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
R500pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Old Road 12 Mile Syrah 2018
R233pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek

Tesco Finest Shiraz 2020
Export only, Origin Wines, Stellenbosch

Vergelegen G.V.B Red 2015
R645pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

Vilafonté Series C 2007 (Red Blend)
Museum Class entry, Stellenbosch cellar

Vilafonté Series C 2012 (Red Blend)
Museum Class entry, Stellenbosch cellar

Vilafonté Series C 2014 (Red Blend)
Museum Class entry, Stellenbosch cellar

Vilafonté Series M 2014 (Red Blend)
Museum Class entry, Stellenbosch cellar

Vilafonté Series M 2017 (Red Blend)
Museum Class entry, Stellenbosch cellar