TOP SCORES at South Africa’s 2024 Fine Wine Awards went to the Spier wine farm in Stellenbosch, for their white blend Frans K Smit 2018, and to the boutique wine cellar Hout Bay Vineyards for their Cap Classique sparkling wine, Klasiek by Catherine 2020. Both scored 96/100, with 21 wines rated 95 points – see below for all the trophy winners and gold medallists. There were almost 900 entries in this, the first edition of the what is billed as an annual competition, sponsored by the American Express financial services corporation in partnership with Nedbank and convened by wine writer Malu Lambert. Its aim: “To house the largest listing of blind-tasted wines in South Africa.”

Interesting category winners: Bruce Jack flies The Berrio (Sauvignon) flag for Cape Agulhas once again; Elgin’s Richard Kershaw ranks as one of South Africa’s champion Chardonnay producers, his latest triumph coming after success at the International Wine Challenge in the UK; a biodynamic red blend trophy winner in Reyneke of Polkadraai Hills in Stellenbosch; De Krans of Calitzdorp wins the port trophy with their Cape Vintage ahead of their Vintage Reserve. One can go on.

The judges represented all areas of the country’s fine wine industry, from buyers to sommeliers, journalists, wine educators and winemakers: Wayve Kolevsohn, Tarryn Vincent, Lauren Segers, Cathy van Zyl MW, Janine van Zyl, Jono le Feuvre, Maryna Calow, Irina Botha CWM, Clive Torr CWM, Claude Felbert, Christine Rudman CWM, Colin Collard, Penelope Setti, Cathy Marston, Samarie Smith, Rene Groenewald CWM, Joseph Dhafana, Heidi Duminy CWM and Catherine Marshall.

 

TROPHY WINNERS

Berrio Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (Bruce Jack)
R199pb ex-cellar, Agulhas Triangle, Napier

De Krans Cape Vintage 2019 (Port)
R130pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp-Klein Karoo

Frans K Smit White 2018 (Spier)
R620pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch

Hout Bay Klasiek By Catharine 2020 (Cap Classique)
R220pb ex-cellar, Hout Bay, Cape Town

Kershaw Deconstructed Lake District Bokkeveld Shale CY96 Chardonnay 2020
R1300pb ex-cellar, Elgin

Knorhoek Chenin Blanc 2022
R200pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Reyneke Biodynamic Cornerstone 2021 (Red Blend)
R350pb ex-cellar, Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch

Simonsig Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
R225pb ex-cellar, Koelenhof-Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch Reserve Syrah 2021
R190pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch

Survivor Pinotage Reserve2022 (Overhex)
R440pb ex-cellar, Worcester

The Hub White 2022 (Blend)
R281pb approx retail, Cape Town

Tierhoek Straw Wine NV
R280pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Piekenierskloof, Citrusdal Mountain

 

ALSO GOLD MEDALLISTS

Alvi’s Drift Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc 2022
R299pb ex-cellar, Scherpenheuvel-Worcester

Darling Cellars Old Bush Vines Chenin Blanc 2022
R231pb ex-cellar, Darling

De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2018 (Port)
R350pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp-Klein Karoo

Flagstone Treaty Tree Reserve White 2019
R140pb ex-cellar, Somerset West, Strand

Flagstone Treaty Tree Reserve White 2022
R140pb ex-cellar, Somerset West, Strand

Journey’s End Griffin Syrah 2018
R390pb ex-cellar, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Somerset West

Kumusha Hurudza 2021 (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Price t.b.c. ex-producer, Breedekloof/Johannesburg

Peter Falke Kanoa 2019 (Red Blend)
R400pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch

Quoin Rock Chardonnay 2022
R440pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
R350pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch

Villiera Monro Brut 2017 (Cap Classique)
R410pb ex-cellar, Koelenhof-Stellenbosch