Grand Prix Trophy Winners

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