JUDGES at the 2023 International Wine Challenge in London were impressed by South African entries in a variety of classes, but the Chardonnay especially. Six of the 15 gold medals that went the way of Cape wine producers were for Chardonnay, with the 2021 vintage of Paul Cluver's Seven Flags given 97 on the scorecard… Days after the names of the medallists were published came the announcement of the trophy laureates, which included three South African cellars: Paul Cluver of Elgin for Best South African White, De Grendel of Panorama-Durbanville for Best SA Shiraz and Best SA Red overall, and La Vierge of Hemel-en-Aarde for Best SA Pinot Noir – details of their wines below.
The New Zealanders just pipped the French in terms of their Chardonnay gold medal haul, and the Australians fared well too, collecting a few more golds than the South Africans. And who would've thought that they're now making such wine of gold medal standard in Japan and England… well okay, perhaps not so surprising from the UK winelands these days.
Over 6000 wines were awarded at the Challenge in which wines from over 50 countries were entered. For an overview from the conveners, click here. For all the results, click here.
* Subsequent to this article being posted on 19 May after the 2023 IWC medallists were announced, it was updated on 23 May after the trophy winners in the competition were announced.
97/100
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2021
R950pb ex-cellar, Elgin
96/100
De Grendel Op die Berg Syrah 2021
R310pb ex-cellar, Panorama-Durbanville
95/100
Beau Constantia Aidan 2018 (Red Blend)
R300pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
Boschendal Elgin Chardonnay 2021
R450pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Boschendal Suzanne 2022 (White Blend)
R250pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
DeMorgenzon Reserve Chardonnay 2019
R430pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof
Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2021
R285pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2018 (Natural Sweet)
R815pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Constantia
Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2021
R185pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Krone Borealis Brut 2021 (MCC)
R195pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
La Vierge Apogée Pinot Noir 2020
R305pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2021
R500pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Elgin
Quest Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2022
R190pb ex-DTK cellar, Rawsonville
Sutherland Chardonnay 2021
R190pb ex-Thelema cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
Thelema Chardonnay 2020
R220pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
