THE DECANTER World Wine Awards in the UK are mega. 18 244 entries in 2022, a world record as international wine competitions go. Judged over two weeks, with the various panels comprising some 250 experts including more than 41 Masters of Wine and 13 Master Sommeliers. 8074 bronze medals awarded, 5900 silvers, 676 golds, 165 platinum medals and 50 wines lauded as Best in Show.
It was a standout year for South America, especially Chile and Argentina, although Australia topped the best of the ‘New World' list, followed by New Zealand and the USA. France retained their majority share of the top awards, followed by Italy. Amazingly, given the war in Ukraine, this country was also among the entrants, with bottles hand-delivered via Hungary in the case of Beykush Winery’s Reserve Chardonnay, Nikolayev 2019, one of the gold medallists.
South Africa achieved two Best in Show awards, plus five platinum medals, 39 golds, 281 silvers and 323 bronzes. Top honours went to The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2019 from the KWV in Paarl, using Stellenbosch grapes, and to Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2021, also WO Stellenbosch. It's usually Forrester's flagship FMC that shines brightest for South Africa's chief Chenin ambassador, but on this occasion it was one of his Reserve wines that the judges admired most. Fancied more than any other Chenin Blanc on the tasting bench, including three platinum medallists from the Loire in France. A world champion at just R145 a bottle (cellar-door price), and still available at the time of writing!
BEST IN SHOW – SA
Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2021
R145pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Mentors Cabernet Franc 2019
R319pb from the KWV cellar, Paarl (WO Stellenbosch)
PLATINUM MEDALLISTS – SA
Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2021
R195pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
De Wetshof Bateleur Chardonnay 2020
R625pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Mentors Chenin Blanc 2020
R159pb from the KWV cellar, Paarl (WO Swartland)
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2020
R850pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Stellenbosch ‘1679' The Legacy 2018 (Red Blend)
R525pb from Koelenhof Winery, Stellenbosch
SA GOLD MEDALLISTS – WHITE
Aaldering Sauvignon Blanc 2021
R225pb ex-cellar, Devon Valley-Stellenbosch
Beau Constantia Pierre 2021 (White Blend)
R355pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
Brookdale Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2020
R295pb ex-producer, Paarl
Chamonix Old Vine Steen 2021
R450pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Constantia Uitsig Sauvignon Blanc 2021
R120pb ex-cellar, Constantia
David Finlayson Chardonnay 2021
R161pb from Edgebaston cellar, Stellenbosch
Delaire Graff Banghoek Reserve Chardonnay 2020
R360pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Delaire Graff White Reserve 2019
R455pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Doolhof Môrestond Chardonnay 2018
R420pb ex-cellar, Wellington
GlenWood Grand Duc Chardonnay 2020
R605pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Kleine Zalze Project Z Chenin Blanc 2019
R460pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Mentors Grenache Blanc 2020
R159pb from the KWV cellar, Paarl
Neil Ellis Whitehall Chardonnay 2020
R325pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch (WO Elgin)
Old Road Grand-mère Semillon 2020
R319pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Oldenburg Chardonnay 2021
R260pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2020
R500pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Stark-Condé Field Blend 2021 (White Blend)
R250pb ex-cellar, Jonkershoek-Stellenbosch
Uva Mira Single Tree Chardonnay 2019
R690pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
SA GOLD MEDALLISTS – RED
Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2019 (Red Blend)
R595pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Babylonstoren Shiraz 2019
R290pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
R675pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
Cederberg Shiraz 2019
R260pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
Franschhoek Cellar The Last Elephant 2019 (Red Blend)
R482pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek (WO Stellenbosch)
Glen Carlou Collection Red Blend 2019
R295pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2018 (Red Blend)
R525pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Jordan Cobblers Hill 2018 (Red Blend)
R470pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof
Koelenbosch Director's Reserve Pinotage 2020
R248pb from Koelenhof Winery, Stellenbosch
Lothian Pinot Noir 2019
R310pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
R515pb from the cellar, Paarl
Peter Falke Kailani 2018 (Cabernet Sauvignon)
R750pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
PF Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
R250pb from Peter Falke cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Piekenierskloof Grenache Noir 2020
R150pb ex-cellar, Citrusdal Mountain
Ridgeback His Master's Choice Signature C 2018 (Red Blend)
R400pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Rust en Vrede 1694 Classification 2017 (Red Blend)
R1700pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Stark-Condé Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
R550pb ex-cellar, Jonkershoek-Stellenbosch
Uva Mira O.T.V 2018 (Red Blend)
R1350pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Welgegund Old Vine Cinsault 2019
R375pb ex-cellar, Wellington
SA GOLD MEDALLIST – BUBBLY
Le Lude Brut Reserve 2013 (MCC)
R480pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
SA GOLD MEDALLIST – SWEET
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet 2018
R1295pb ex-cellar, Constantia
