HOW ABOUT THAT! The Grand Prix trophy winners for the top-scoring red and white wines at the 2023 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards (SA) are Allée Bleue of Franschhoek for their 2018 Single Vineyard Syrah, and Rooiberg of Robertson for their 2023 Game Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. Who said Sauvignon Blanc can't be taken seriously! 96+ out of 100. But at just R80 a bottle?
A third Grand Prix wine trophy was awarded for the most highly rated dessert class entry: Perdeberg Dry Land Fortitude Fortified Chenin Blanc 2021, WO Paarl. See below for all of the trophy and platinum award winners chosen from the 1388 wines entered in the competition – there were 1555 entries in total, including various spirits.
The South African judges: Cape Wine Masters Sandy Harper, Heidi Duminy, Lizette Tolken and Conrad Louw, as well as sommelier/chef Janine van Zyl and sommelier Germain Lehodey. The judges flown in from around the world: Bernhard Schaefer and Jürgen Schmücking of Germany, Liz Palmer of Canada, Otto Batzer of Austria, René van Hoven of the Netherlands, Arthur Naegele and Nicole Harreisser of Switzerland, Vili Galabova of Bulgaria, Tobias Gorn, Serhat Narsap and Ivan Dixon of the UK, Nuno Jorge of Portugal, Vojciech Gogolinski of Poland, Moshe Cohen of Israel, Marin Berovic and Andrej Ondrejmiska of Slovakia, Karel Novotný of the Czech Republic and Bruno Darsam of Mozambique.
For more about the awards, the organisers and the judging, click here.
TROPHY LAUREATES
Allée Bleue Single Vineyard Syrah 2018
R420pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Alvi's Drift Verreaux Pinotage 2021
R550pb ex-cellar, Worcester
Anura Signature Merlot 2017
R360pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Bon Courage Lady of the House Pinotage Rosé 2023
R88pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2021
R457pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Deetlefs Voyage 2019 (White Blend)
R235pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville
Game Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023
R80pb from Rooiberg cellar, Robertson
Groot Phesantekraal Chenin Blanc 2023
R84pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
JC Le Roux Scintilla Vintage Reserve 2015 (MCC)
R255pb ex-cellar, Devon Valley, Stellenbosch
Kranskop Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2022
R110pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Lözarn Cabernet Franc 2022
R226pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Morgenster Estate Reserve 2016 (Red Blend)
R590pb ex-cellar, Somerset West
Nilberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Price t.b.a. ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Perdeberg Dry Land Fortitude Fortified Chenin Blanc 2021
R150pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Paarl
Villiersdorp Kiara Red 2019
R280pb ex-cellar, Villiersdorp
PLATINUM WINNERS
Bon Courage Like Father Like Son Chenin Blanc 2023
R64pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Bon Courage White Muscadel 2023
R120pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Boplaas Colheita Cape Tawny 2007 (Port)
R750pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp
Brampton Roxton Black Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
R200pb ex-producer, Stellenbosch
Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2019
R380pb ex-cellar, Strand / Somerset West
Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2018 (MCC)
R357pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Holden Manz Merlot Reserve 2020
R610pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Jakkalsvlei Red Muscadel 2023
R110pb ex-cellar, Herbertsdale
Jason's Hill Merlot 2018
R130pb ex-cellar, Breedekloof
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2021
R270pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Leopard's Leap Sauvignon Blanc 2023
R70pb ex-cellar
Louisvale Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
R295pb ex-cellar, Devon Valley, Stellenbosch
Lourensford Chrysalis Red 2017
R400pb ex-cellar, Somerset West
Merwida Chardonnay 2022
R94pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville
Mt Vernon Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
R275pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Niel Joubert Tempranillo 2020
R185pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Omstaan Wit Muskadel XI
R200pb (500ml) from Orange River Cellars
Ridgeback Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
R235pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Ridgeback His Master's Choice Signature C 2019 (Red Blend)
R500pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Windmeul Reserve Pinotage 2019
R150pb ex-cellar, Paarl
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In future, the Michelangelo awards will not be reported on nor count towards the SA Wine Classification. This after it came to light that the competition entries include tank- and barrel-samples, i.e. wines that are not market-ready when they are judged and which could change significantly by the time they go on sale. Consequently, the awards are of little value to the wine-buying public.