ELGIN’S Paul Cluver, whose 2020 Estate Chardonnay was the top-scoring white at the 2022 Trophy Wine Show, has a distinguished track record for producing some of South Africa’s finest Chardonnays (and Pinot Noirs). Whereas Glen Carlou on the Simonsberg side of Paarl, whose 2019 Collection Red Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc was the top-scoring red wine at the Show, has previously tended to lead with the outfit’s single-varietal Gravel Quarry Cab (and Quartz Stone Chardonnay).

Other highlights of the Show include the winner of the trophy for Discovery of the Show, and that for Best Semillon. The 2020 MAN Skaapveld Syrah (Stellenbosch cellar using Paarl grapes) was considered Best Value Gold Medallist at R85 a bottle. And, using grapes from Franschhoek vines planted back in 1936, the 2018 Old Road Grand-mére Semillon follows on from the 2017 vintage judged Best in Class at the Trophy Wine Show in 2021 (when it was also a gold medallist at the International Wine Challenge in the UK).

Three gold medals and two trophies went the way of Chenin Blancs, with Spier coming top of this class and also winning trophies for Best Merlot and Most Successful Producer Overall. For all the trophy and gold medal winners, see below, and for more info about the competition as well as the full results, click here.

THE TROPHY WINNERS

Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Brut Reserve 2013
Best Cap Classique Sparkling Wine; R230pb ex-cellar, Robertson

Brookdale Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2020
Best Old Vine Entry; R295pb ex-producer, Paarl

De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2012
Best Museum Class Port; Calitzdorp cellar

Delaire Graff Cape Vintage 2019
Best Cape Port; R485pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch

Ghost in the Machine Shiraz 2020
Best Shiraz; R215pb from Bruce Jack cellar, Napier

Glen Carlou Collection Red Blend 2019
Best Bordeaux-style Red Blend and top-scoring red wine overall; R295pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl

Highlands Road Sine Cera 2017
Best Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend; R190 ex-cellar, Elgin

Jordan Real McCoy Riesling 2021
Best Niche White; R160pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof

Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2013
Best Museum Class Chenin Blanc; Stellenbosch cellar

Louisvale Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Best Cabernet Sauvignon; R275pb ex-cellar, Devon Valley-Stellenbosch

MAN Skaapveld Syrah 2020
Discovery of the Show (Best Value Gold Medallist); R85pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Nederburg Private Bin Eminence Noble Late Harvest Muscadel 2012
Best Museum Class Dessert Wine; Auction Wine; Paarl cellar

Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc; R293pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Old Road Grand-mére Semillon 2018
Best Semillon; R319pb ex-producer, Franschhoek

Oldenburg Chardonnay 2021
International Judges’ Trophy; R260pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch

Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay 2020
Best Chardonnay and highest-scoring white wine overall; R280pb ex-cellar, Elgin

Spier Woolworths Merlot 2018
Best Merlot; Exclusive to Woolworths stores; Stellenbosch cellar

Spier Woolworths Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2020
Best Chenin Blanc; Exclusive to Woolworths stores; Stellenbosch cellar

Trade Winds Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Best Sauvignon Blanc; R150pb ex-producer

Warwick First Lady Pinotage 2020
Best Pinotage; R110pb ex-cellar

OTHER GOLD MEDALLISTS

Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2021
R325pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl

Cilmor Winemaker’s Selection Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2021
R85pb ex-cellar, Worcester

Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve 2020
R180pb ex-cellar, Durbanville

Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve Castle of Good Hope Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
R145pb ex-cellar, Durbanville

Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut 2015 (MCC)
R245pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

La Vierge Jezebelle Chardonnay 2021
R170pb ex-cellar, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Lievland Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2021
R170pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Villiera Monro Brut 2015 (MCC)
R330pb ex-cellar, Koelenhof-Stellenbosch

Vrede en Lust Kogelberg Chenin Blanc 2019
R175pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl