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
