What does it mean to win double gold at the Veritas Awards?
TO WIN the trophy for top-scoring wine at the Veritas Awards is a fairly big deal! In 2023, there were 1247 entries (including spirits) in what is the biggest, longest-running SA wine competition. Of these, 81 were considered worthy of a double gold medal by panels of local and international judges, 70 in total, with double gold being the top award besides the trophy, the recipient of which is determined by a panel tasked with reassessing all of the double gold medallists. The winner of the Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex Award: Benguela Cove, the wine and lifestyle estate between Bot River and Hermanus, south-east of Cape Town, owned by Penny Streeter and where Johann Fourie is in charge of the cellar. The champion wine: a sparkling Cap Classique, the 2019 vintage of Benguela Cove Joie de Vivre Brut.
However, as in previous years, the organisers aren’t telling us just how well the best were rated. At Veritas, to qualify for double gold requires a score of 93 or higher on a 100-point scale, but they stop short of saying what each wine scored, only announcing the names of the medal winners. As many regard 93 and 94 equivalent to a high silver, at best, you’re left wondering which of the double golds the Veritas panels rated 95+.
Listed below are those of the 2023 Veritas double gold medallists that have received very good reviews from more than one panel of respected wine experts:
DOUBLE GOLD STANDOUTS
Benguela Cove Joie de Vivre Brut 2019 (MCC)
Also winner of Veritas Vertex Trophy
R280pb ex-cellar, Botrivier/Hermanus
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2020 (Port)
Also 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide
R325pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp
Diemersdal Syrah 2022
Also a winner in Shiraz SA Challenge
R190pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Francois van Niekerk Pinotage 2021
Also a winner in Top 10 Pinotage Competition
R710pb ex-producer, Wellington
Harry Hartman Somesay Syrah 2021
Also highly rated in Platter’s SA Wine Guide (96 points) and Winemag (95)
R330pb ex-producer, Somerset West
KWV Cape Tawny NV (Port)
Also 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide
R99pb ex-cellar, Paarl
La Cave Pinotage 2021
Also a winner in Top 10 Pinotage Competition
R220pb from Wellington Wines
Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2017 (MCC)
Also a trophy winner at The Trophy Wine Show (SA) and overall winner of the Cap Classique Challenge
R169pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
Land’s End Cape South Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Also Best in Class at the National Wine Challenge (SA)
R95pb from DTK Wines, Rawsonville
Marianne Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Also 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide
R245pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Mentors Perold 2020 (Red Blend)
Also a winner in Perold Cape Blend Competition
R749pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
Perdeberg Dry Land Old Vine Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2022
Also highly rated at International Wine & Spirit Competition (95) and Global Wine Masters (Gold), both in the UK
R160pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2021
Also highly rated at Global Wine Masters (Gold), UK
R290pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Spier Seaward Chenin Blanc 2022
Also highly rated at Global Wine Masters (Gold), UK
R135pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch ‘1679’ Old Vine Pinotage 2021
Also a winner in Top 10 Pinotage Competition
R375pb from Koelenhof Winery, Stellenbosch
