IONA Chardonnay 2021 of the Elgin Highlands and the 2020 Reserve Cab from Le Riche in the Helderberg vineyards of Stellenbosch were the panels' favourite South African wines at the 2023 Decanter Awards in London. A record-breaking 18 250 entries were received from 57 countries, assessed by 236 judges including 53 Masters of Wine and 16 Master Sommeliers. After weeks of judging, 50 beauties were considered worthy of ‘Best in Show' (scored 97+), 125 other top-scoring wines attained platinum status (97), with 705 earning gold medals (95/96). For the first time in the history of the show, Australia topped the charts ahead of France, Italy and Spain, with 10 Best in Show medals going ‘down under'.
BEST SA IN SHOW
Iona Chardonnay 2021
R375pb ex-cellar, Elgin Highlands
Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
R940pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
SA PLATINUM WINNERS
Bellingham Frieda 2021 (White Blend)
R350pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
Diemersdal Journal Sauvignon Blanc 2022
R240pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Neil Ellis Whitehall Chardonnay 2021
R325pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
Rust en Vrede ‘1694 Classification' 2018 (Red Blend)
R2000pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Rustenberg
SA GOLD MEDALLISTS
Bartinney Hourglass Chardonnay 2021
R495pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Bellingham Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc Limited Release 2022
R190pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
Boschendal Chenin Blanc 2022
Export wine, Franschhoek cellar
Boschendal Elgin Chardonnay 2021
R450pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Capensis Silene Chardonnay 2021
R350pb ex-producer, Stellenbosch
Cecelia Pinotage 2021
R245pb ex-cellar, Citrusdal
Cederberg Shiraz 2020
R270pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
Constantia Glen Five 2020 (Red Blend)
R620pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
Daniel Pesat My Story 2019 (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Export wine, Stellenbosch cellar
Ernie Els Signature 2017 (Red Blend)
R875pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Escapades Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Export wine, Stellenbosch cellar
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2019 (Red Blend)
R540pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Hartenberg Gravel Hill 2019 (Shiraz)
R1200pb ex-cellar, Bottelary-Stellenbosch
Jordan Long Fuse Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
R260pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof
Le Bonheur Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
R150pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Lothian Chardonnay 2021
R370pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
R435pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Nederburg Winemasters Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
R116pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Nederburg Winemasters Chardonnay 2022
R90pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2021
R500pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Elgin
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2021
R950pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Piekenierskloof Grenache Blanc 2022
R120pb ex-cellar, Piekenierskloof
Plaisir Grand Plaisir 2018 (Red Blend)
R790pb ex-cellar, Simondium/Paarl
Quest Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2022
R190pb from DTK cellar, Rawsonville
Quoin Rock Black Series Brut 2015 (MCC)
R1200pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Quoin Rock Black Series Brut 2017 (MCC)
R1200pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Rustenberg Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2022
R140pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
R350pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Tokara Director's Reserve 2020 (White Blend)
R330pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
Warwick Trilogy 2020 (Red Blend)
R625pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
