IT WAS ONLY a matter of time… 2019 was when winemaker Elunda Basson took charge of the cellar at the Beck Family Estates' Steenberg farm in Tokai on the Constantia Wine Route after making a name for herself as a bubbly champion in Stellenbosch. Six years later, the 2019 vintage of Steenberg's Lady R was ready for release onto the market, and how about that! Winner of the 2025 Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge. A sparkling blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that has received warm reviews over the years since the maiden vintage 2010 was launched in 2015.
There were 152 entries in the 24th edition of the competition for South African wines made according to the traditional method associated with the Champagnes of France. The judges chaired by Cape Wine Master Heidi Duminy scored Lady R Cap Classique top of the class in the Brut category before judging it best overall. ‘Sister' winery in Robertson, the Graham Beck estate, won the Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay) class, also with their 2019 vintage (scored 96 at IWSC), and best in the Rosé class was the non-vintage Brut Rosé from AdVini's Kleine Zalze in Stellenbosch.
Also on the panel: sommelier Spencer Fondaumiere, Master of Wine Cathy van Zyl, wine writer Malu Lambert, Cape Winemaster Winnie Bowman, winemakers Jeff Grier (Villiera), John Laubser (Silverthorn) and Morgan Steyn (De Grendel), plus Tarryn Vincent (Riedel & Reciprocal).
DOUBLE GOLD OR BETTER
Des Dieux Claudia Brut 2021
R377pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2019
R357pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Kleine Zalze Brut Rosé NV
R180pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Pieter Ferreira Blanc de Blancs 2019
R535pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
Steenberg Lady R Cap Classique 2019
R650pb ex-cellar, Tokai-Constantia Wine Route
Windfall Mendola Blanc de Blanc 2017
R340pb ex-cellar, Robertson
