SCHENKFONTEIN! Where’s that? Stofjas! What’s that? Thor Semillon nothing to do with the Marvel fantasy! Port Capital comes second? Best value gold medallist a Shiraz at just R115 a bottle… Some discoveries, some surprises, as well as endorsements for numerous cellars with established credentials. The 2024 edition of The Trophy Wine Show ‘Brought to you by Investec’ provided recommendations aplenty.

KWV of Paarl were the most successful producers on this occasion, winning trophies for Best Chenin Blanc and a red blend in The Mentors range, gold for a Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc, plus four silvers and two bronze medals for various other wines – such are their standards across all categories.

The trophies for Discovery of the Show and top score among the reds went to The Winemasters Shiraz 2022 from Nederburg, Paarl. The Banghoek Chardonnay 2022 from Delaire Graff in Stellenbosch was the top-scoring white wine, and other top award winners with great track records over the years included Cape Point Vineyards, Cederberg, Kleine Zalze and Stark-Condé – see below for all the trophy and gold medal laureates, and for the full results, click here.

The convenor and chairman of the judges: Michael Fridjhon. The panellists flown in for the judging all leading figures in the world of fine wine: Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW from Napa, USA, Fongyee Walker MW from China and Claire Blackler MW from London. The South African panel members: Blaauwklippen winemaker Narina Cloete, Cape Wine Academy principal Heidi Duminy CWM, Eben February and Gynore Hendriks of the Great Heart Wine Company, sommelier Mandla Patson Mathonsi, James Pietersen of the ‘Wine Cellar’ merchant in Cape Town and Francois Rautenbach, erstwhile founding general manager of Singita Premier Wine Direct.

TOP LAUREATES – RED

TROPHY WINNERS

Bosman Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Museum Class, R600pb ex-cellar, Wellington

Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve Pinotage 2022
R155pb ex-cellar, Durbanville

Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
R210pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

KWV Mentors Canvas 2020
Red Blend, R349pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Nederburg Winemasters Shiraz 2022
R115pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Zevenwacht Z Reserve 2021
Bordeaux-Style Blend, R345pb ex-cellar, Kuils River-Stellenbosch

GOLD MEDALLISTS

Bon Courage Inkará Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
R212pb ex-cellar, Robertson

Cederberg Shiraz 2020
R280pb ex-cellar, Cederberg

De Krans Tritonia Calitzdorp Blend 2022
R240pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp-Klein Karoo

TOP LAUREATES – WHITE

TROPHY WINNERS

Bloemendal Kanonberg 2018
Museum Class White Blend, R215pb ex-cellar, Durbanville

Bloemendal Semillon 2017
Museum Class, R215pb ex-cellar, Durbanville

Cape Point Isliedh 2022
Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend, R440pb ex-cellar, Noordhoek

Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2022
R430pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch

KWV Mentors Chenin Blanc 2022
R179pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Schenkfontein Stofjas 2021
White Blend, R575pb ex-producer, Piketberg

Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2023
R280pb ex-cellar, Jonkershoek-Stellenbosch

Thelema Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2015
R250pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch (Helshoogte)

Thor Lara Semillon 2023
R220pb ex-cellar, Durbanville

GOLD MEDALLISTS

Blaauwklippen Chardonnay 2023
R210pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

Chamonix Estate White Reserve 2022
R300pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek

Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2023
R190pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl

KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2023
R109pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Leeuwenkuil Heritage Chenin Blanc 2020
R460pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Lothian Chardonnay 2021
R370pb ex-cellar, Elgin

Zevenwacht Z Sauvignon Blanc 2023
R295pb ex-cellar, Kuils River-Stellenbosch

TOP LAUREATES – SPARKLING

TROPHY WINNERS

JC Le Roux Scintilla Vintage Reserve 2015
Museum Class Cap Classique, Heineken brand, R280pb ex-cellar, Devon Valley-Stellenbosch

Pongrácz Blanc de Blancs NV
Cap Classique, R195pb from Heineken, Stellenbosch

GOLD MEDALLIST

Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut 2017
Cap Classique, R260pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

TOP LAUREATES – SWEET

TROPHY WINNERS

Delaire Graff Cape Vintage 2021
Port Style, R700pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch

Nederburg Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2023
R150pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Paarl

GOLD MEDALLISTS

Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2006
Port Style, R1200pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp-Klein Karoo

Buitenverwachting ‘1769’ 2021
Noble Late Harvest, R375pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Constantia