We are terrifically excited to present the fifth set of Ultra Value Wine Challenge results. This unique competition puts consumers first by identifying the very best wine buys that sell for under R150 per bottle. The Ultra Value Challenge continues to attract tremendous support from quality producers and vineyards who have built a reputation for making great, value- driven wines.
Robin von Holdt reviews the 2019 Challenge:
General
‘Local wine lovers are in for another superb treat! The brilliant wines identified below taste great and they are remarkably affordable! They were judged to offer delicious, balanced flavours with lovely fruit and mild tannins. The compelling fact is that they do not cost a fortune. These are really good wines for real people to enjoy right now.
The industry support and enthusiasm for this main-stream and compelling price category competition is most pleasing. Wine drinkers are loyal and keen to maintain their lifestyles and habits despite even tougher economic times in force today. Price is even more critical than before. The Ultra Value Challenge results supports this wine loving community fully. It does so in a practical manner, by identifying these value wines according to a combination of price and quality.
The value sector remains a critical local arena in which to offer great quality. Wonderfully enjoyable, value-for-money winning wines, see both vineyards and consumers in a very happy co-existence with both ending up being winners!
Our thanks go to all our loyal and new supporters. Our congratulations go to all of the fantastic winning wines and producers who put so much quality into their bottles at such attractive prices. Well done!’
Quality
‘Competition judges were vocal in their comments on wine quality generally. There is continued improvement in the balance of most of the wines, with better vineyard practices making for better fruit. The wines felt lighter on their feet and showed less overt cellar work, than previously. The use of oak was again more subtle and there was demonstrably less extraction.
Vintages 2019, 2018 and 2017 yielded delicious red wines with fine concentration and very good typicity. The 2019 wines were very appealing. Whites were mainly vintages 2019 and 2018. It was easier to recognise a fine wine and they were easy to spot. It is the first time that so many wines at this price point have shown the class and pedigree that the judges generally experienced. A strongly positive statement!
Judging
‘Flights were assessed by a very credible team of expert judges. Judging panels were tough, but fair. The pleasing set of results was not at all due to less rigour being applied. It was above all else about wine quality. A significant portion of wines gained awards because the quality was definitively higher. A number of wines however did not get through that first, arduous, quality hurdle. Then, the algorithm that took price into account in order to arrive at the value-adjusted final result, saw another block of wines fall aside. Victories are as deservedly earned as ever, for those proud wines that cracked the final nod. Awards were confirmed by the independent review of the stellar 2019 results.’
Ginette De Fleuriot
Chardonnay: ‘The unoaked wines showed really well – good use of lees-contact, adding texture, creaminess and depth to the wines. Not many oaked examples. A few very old school examples but some delightful wines. 2019’s were pleasant enough, yet perhaps not quite offering great complexity or depth. Overall, a tremendously enjoyable flight with lots of variety and generally very well made.’
Chenin Blanc: ‘A mixed bag. A number showing nice texture, especially if they were oak fermented. Many were pretty appealing but a lot of “sameness” and lacking real expression, with an overriding ‘yellow fruit & some acidity’ character.’
Statistics
‘In line with international standards and the associated prestige of winning an award, well under 60% of judged wines gained an award this year. A great line up of wines yielded a great set of results! Once again, less than 10% of wines gained Double Gold Medal awards. Just over 20% of wines gained Gold Medal awards. Silver Medal awards were again hugely successful although strictly judged, with just over 25% qualifying as winners. Awards were again difficult to achieve. They were hard-earned, and well-deserved given the truly excellent quality of entered wines.’
Double Gold awards went to 22 red wines, 10 white wines and 4 rosé wines. We also gained the first two 100 point wines, a first in the Ultra Value competition! Scores were all above 93/100 for the 36 winners. Pinotage lead the way with 5 awards. Bordeaux blends gained 4 awards. Then Cape Blends, Cabernet and Merlot gained 3 awards each. For white wine, Chenin Blanc gained 5 awards. Chardonnay was awarded 3 times. Sauvignon Blanc and sweet wines gained 2 awards each. Finally 2 rosés also gained Double Gold awards.
Gold Awarded wines all achieved a score between 86+ and 93/100. DG gongs went to 54 red wines, 45 white wines and 10 sweet wines. Rosé gained 6 wins while bubbly was awarded a single win. Chenin Blanc lead the white wine charge with 18 awards. Then Sauvignon Blanc followed with 13 wins. Merlot enjoyed 10 wins, as did Shiraz.
Silver Awards went to 53 red wines, 51 white wines, 12 rosé wines and 10 sweet wines. Bubbly won 5 awards.
Overall in the competition awards, red wines gained 130 awards while white wines gained 110 awards. The Port/sweet/fortified categories of wines won 22 awards. Rosé won 20 awards and bubbly won 6 awards.
Vintages
Wines from vintages 2014 to 2019 were entered in this year’s competition. The majority of entered wines were from 2019 (39%). 2018 had 32%. 2017 had 14%. 2016/15/14 vintages enjoyed about 5% of the entries. Interestingly Non-Vintage wines accounted for 10% of wines entered.
With regards to results by vintage for Double Gold winners: 2019 cracked the winning number of 14 top awards. This was followed by 2018 gaining 12 wins. 2017 won 6 slots, 2016 2 awards and 2015 gained one award as did a single NV wine.
Overall awards by vintage: 2019 was awarded 109 times. 2018 won 90 times. 2017 gained 41 awards. Then 2016 won 8 awards, 2015 won 4 awards and 2014 won 2 awards.
Spencer Fondaumiere
Sauvignon Blanc: ‘Generally this was a very good category. Clever winemaking skills at mid-level and a clever use of residual sugar for approachability. Cool climate wines stood out. In general, clean, crisp wines, with good crunchy acids.’
Natural Sweet & Semi Sweet: ‘The White Muscadel's were superb; complex, lovely play of sugar, acidity and concentration! A few Rosés were also very good – hid their touch of residual sugar very well and offered brilliant colour.’
Cultivars & blends results review
Interestingly it was again single cultivars that performed above average, both for red and for white wines. This is in fact of repeat of the findings last year. There were some brilliant blends to be sure and in this regard, it was again the red categories of Rhone blends, Bordeaux blends and Cape blends that featured.
For red wines Merlot led the charge with a total of 22 awards. Pinotage landed 20 awards and Bordeaux Blends won 19 awards. Cabernet gained 18 awards and Shiraz gained 15.
For white wines Sauvignon gained 40 awards and Chenin Blanc won 31. Chardonnay tied with the ‘other white blend’ category, both gaining 13 awards in total.
Rosé cracked 20 awards. The natural and semi-sweet category won a total of 19 awards.
Gareth Robertson
Cabernet Sauvignon: ‘A most pleasing flight, although quite a few were ‘good red wines’ without true defining Cab Sauvignon character. Very happy to note considerably less greenness/ herbaceousness. Less coffee character as well, only seen on a couple. Most were offering a good black or red berried fruit with the tannic support to give depth and length. A small number did show excellent wine with true varietal character, complexity, depth. Sadly still a few showier, ripe & big oak styles were present.’
Red Rhone Blends: Majority were well-balanced, providing drinking pleasure and delivering good fruit and integrated tannins without greenness or over- extraction. Alcohols were in check. A very good showing.
Evan Alexander
Shiraz: ‘Overall a rock solid category, offering great value and bang for buck. A safe varietal in SA to buy offering clean & well balanced characters. Some with an attractive commercial edge & more premium wines had a clever use of oak – possibly larger format & older oak.’
Other Red Blends: ‘This was not a totally uninspiring flight, a little disappointing as the category holds a lot of potential. It would be great to see more adventurous blends, rather than just Cab / Shiraz. That being said, the 2016 & 2017 vintage wines achieved really high scores. The 2018’s which made up the bulk of the wine on show were not as impressive. Perhaps with a little time they will improve.’
Ginette De Fleuriot
Pinotage:‘A very pleasing and enjoyable flight to judge. Attractive fruit profiles with not too much overuse of oak. Fewer showy, blockbuster styled wines than in the past. Definitely more typicity: honest and indeed some elegance. A category that should not be under-rated.’
Port: All of the wines delivered value and were enjoyable. Large potential here and hopefully this category will be celebrated more!
Spencer Fondaumiere
Merlot: ‘Overall the category gave a mixed set of results. Pleasingly a notable decrease in greener styled wines. Aromatics have improved, however it is fair to comment that only a few demonstrated sound fruit management in that tannins and fruit were not in balanced harmony with not enough expected plushness. Overall a definite improvement, but more works is still needed.’
Fortified: ‘Definitely very attractive on the nose, with a few fantastic examples shining through and ticking all the boxes. A very successful category which should be celebrated.’
The top 16 highest-scoring wines
Darling Cellars Reserve Bushvine Sauvignon Blanc 2019 - 100/100
Ultra Liquors SECRET CELLAR CABERNET 259 2015 - 100/100
Zevenwacht 7even Rood 2017 - 99/100
Darling Cellars Reserve Old Blocks Pinotage 2017 - 99/100
Du Toitskloof Wines Pinotage/Merlot/Ruby Cabernet 2018 - 99/100
Rooiberg Winery Rooiberg Range Cabernet / Merlot (Roodewyn) 2018 - 98/100
Swartland Winery Winemakers Collection Chenin Blanc 2019 - 98/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Five's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 - 98/100
Louisvale Wines Stone Road Merlot 2018 - 97/100
Ken Forrester Wines Petit Chardonnay 2019 - 97/100
Flagstone Wines Kumala Reserve Pinotage 2018 - 96/100
Namaqua Wines Cape West Shiraz/Pinotage 2018 - 96/100
Stellenbosch Vineyards Welmoed Sauvignon Blanc 2019 - 96/100
Leopard's Leap Wines Unwooded Chardonnay 2019 - 96/100
Boland Cellar Five Climates Merlot 2018 - 96/100
Ultra Liquors SECRET CELLAR PINOTAGE 211 2016 - 96/100
Result summaries:
Double Gold Medals 36
Gold Medal Winners 116
Silver Medal Winners 131
Top multiple winning vineyards include:
- Nicholson Smith - 17 wins
- Flagstone Wines - 15 wins
- Alvi's Drift Private Cellar - 14 wins
- Van Loveren Family Vineyards - 14 wins
- Namaqua Wines - 11 wins
- Robertson Winery - 10 wins
- Leopards Leap Wines - 9 wins
- Du Toitskloof Wines - 9 wins
- Ultra Liquors - 9 wins
- Stettyn Family Vineyards - 8 wins
- Bon Courage Wine Estate - 6 wins
- Diemersfontein - 6 wins
- Landskroon Wines - 6 wins
- Stellenbosch Vineyards - 6 wins
- Boland Cellar - 5 wins
- Distell - 5 wins
- Ken Forrester Wines - 5 wins
- Rooiberg Winery - 5 wins
Some industry comments from awarded vineyards follow:
Nicholson Smith Agencies
Jason Neal, Owner: Another wonderful surprise that we won more awards than any other producer. Every wine entered garnered some sort of award! A great thanks must be given to my wine team who have year in and year out tried to produce great wines at affordable prices. In winning 17 awards in total it is testament to their hard work. With more choice and consumers demanding better wines at affordable prices this show will only grow from strength to strength. Also a great thanks to the tasting panel for giving us the backing that we are producing ULTRA value wines.
Flagstone Wines
Gerhard Swart, Head Winemaker: The Winemakers of Accolade Wines and Flagstone Winery are very proud to have received so many awards over a broad range of wines. This is a great result and shows the great care and attention we give to all our wines. We are also extremely happy about the Double Gold and Gold for our Kumala Reserve Pinotage and Chenin Blanc which has only recently been launched in South Africa.
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar
Albertus Viljoen “Alvi” Van Der Merwe, Managing Director: What an honour to receive such recognition for our wines. 14 awards including 2 double gold and 6 gold – this is a testimony to the time, effort and dedication to excellence that is the hallmark our vineyard and winemaking team. This recognition belongs to them.
Van Loveren Family Vineyards
Danelle Conradie, Winemaker: We are very pleased for our wines to be recognised in the 2019 Ultra Value Wine Challenge. These awards underline Van Loveren's commitment to make quality wines and will be of great guidance to new wine consumers or wine-lovers that want to try something new.
Namaqua Wines
Reinier van Greunen, Winemaker: Namaqua prides itself in delivering quality wine at an affordable price. This is underlined by the current results and the outstanding achievement of 4 gold and 2 double gold awards. Which is more amazing is that the wines awarded are throughout the whole Namaqua portfolio and for brands easily accessible to the consumer.
Robertson Winery
“Robertson Winery’s recent successes at the 2019/20 Ultra Value Wine Challenge have once again validated Robertson Winery’s reputation for creating exceptional wines that over-deliver in their respective price categories.
“We are immensely proud of this fantastic line-up of awards”, says Ankia Niemann, Head of Marketing and Sales at Robertson Winery. Achieving these accolades across different wine styles is testament to the quality grapes grown by our producers and the dedication of our team. At Robertson Winery we pride ourselves on consistently delivering quality underpinned by great value, on being the go-to cellar for affordable quality, which of course is very pertinent in today’s tough economic times where the key consumer phrase is ‘value for money.”
Leopard's Leap Wines
Hein Koegelenberg, CEO: Being acknowledged for value is the finest acclaim! We are truly honoured by the exceptional recognition of Leopard's Leap wines in the 2019 Ultra Value Challenge. I am delighted that we are fulfilling the brand promise of adding quality to life.
Du Toitskloof Wines
Shawn Thomson, Winemaker: At Du Toitskloof we pride ourselves on making wines that over-deliver on quality vs price. I believe that the main pillar of our success is rooted in our teamwork - you won’t find any winemaker’s name on the back of a Du Toitskloof label, every bottle of Du Toitskloof wine is a team-effort, from the farm to the finished bottle. Team Du Toitskloof enjoys working with and respecting the fruit yielded from our stunning vineyards - we hope you enjoy every sip.”
Ultra-Liquors
Dale Louwsma, Franchise Manager Ultra Liquors: Another fantastic result for us this year with the Ultra Value Wine Challenge. We are really proud of the quality of our brands and the value that we give back to our customers.
Stettyn Cellar
JM Crafford, Winemaker: Here at Stettyn Family Vineyards we firmly believe that wine is produced in the vineyards. All our wines are terroir driven and with the passion of the winemaking team we seek to produce great, affordable wines for every day enjoyment and farming sustainably... Stettyn’s ability.
Bon Courage Wine Estate
Jacques Bruwer, Cellarmaster: We are immensely proud of this achievement. Being innovate and passionate about what we do, pays dividends. It shows consistent success in our brand. Our motto is that great wine is made in the vineyard and only guided through the process in the cellar.
Darling Cellars
Pieter-Niel Rossouw, Head Winemaker : Passion, dedication, pride and teamwork. Everybody involved in producing a bottle of Darling Cellars wine share these common principles. At Darling Cellars, we have access to some of the best terroirs and vineyards in South Africa. Our farmers join and understand our Vision to make great affordable wines. Our employees always push the boundaries to craft these award-winning wines.
Diemersfontein
Francois Roode, Winemaker: We are very happy to have been awarded 4 Gold medals as well as 2 Silver medals at this year’s Ultra Wine Challenge. We are especially ecstatic about the 2 gold medals and the 1 silver medal for our Ovation range that is part of our Thokozani brand, owned and managed by the employees of Diemersfontein.
Landskroon Wines
Paul de Villiers, Cellarmaster: We were delighted to hear that of the 6 wines entered for this year’s Challenge all six wines received awards including one Double Gold for our 2019 Pinotage Blanc de Noir. This wine also received a top-four-award at the recent Pinotage Blanc de Noir/Rose Challenge run by the Pinotage Association. So the judges were spot on! We also received gold for 2019 Chenin Blanc and our 2017 Pinotage. 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, 2017 Merlot and 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon all received silver awards! Well done to the Landskroon team!
Stellenbosch Vineyards
Abraham de Villiers, Senior Winemaker: What a great achievement for Arniston Bay to receive a Double Gold! At Stellenbosch Vineyards, we always strive to showcase the highest possible quality at the price point and this award underlines our ultimate objective as to give our customer the best possible taste experience. To be recognized by such an elite panel of judges is an honour and will go a long way in underlining the quality Arniston Bay and Welmoed showcases.
Bernard Claassen, Senior Winemaker: It is a great honour to receive a reward from such a great competition for our wines, but I am super exited to have received one Double Gold and three Golds for our Welmoed range. I’m happy to see that the recognition of quality also filters through to our Welmoed range and that the hard work and dedication paid off in such a positive manner.”
Boland Cellar (5)
Bernard Smuts, Cellar Master: The 5 Ultra Value awards for Boland Cellar wines in our classic range, are a confirmation of our quality vineyards situated in the prime Paarl and surrounding area with varying climatic zones where grapes ripen at different times and can be carefully selected in harvest.
The Boland Cellar Merlot 2018 received a double gold award and gold awards for the Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc, these cultivars are very well adapted to the Paarl regions terroir and therefore a focus point for Boland Cellars team.
Built on the principle of collaboration, Boland Cellar has grown to become one of the largest producer cellars in South Africa through our ethos of working together with local farmers and growers.
Distell
Michelle Michael, Brand Manager Drostdy-Hof Wines: Drostdy Hof has won two awards in the Ultra Value Wine Challenge 2019, a competition that honours both excellent quality and great value. With a Gold award for their Adelpracht and a Silver for their Claret, Drostdy Hof continues to deliver wines of consistent quality and intense flavour, as it has done since 1804.
Sloane Poggenpoel , Marketing Manager Two Oceans: Two Oceans has won three awards in the Ultra Value Wine Challenge 2019 - Double Gold for their Cabernet Merlot Sauvignon, Gold for their Chenin Blanc and Silver for their Shiraz Rosé. Inspired by the dramatic meeting of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean, Two Oceans originates in the Western Cape where natural beauty, climate and award-winning winemaking come together.
Ken Forrester Wines
Ken Forrester, Owner: It’s always wonderful to be acknowledged by one’s peers and to see the entire Petit Range earning awards and such glowing recognition is truly wonderful. We look to 100% hand harvested fruit for the Petit wines, we guarantee sustainability and way lower than industry standard SO2 (we don’t like the stuff!) and we promise “LEKKER WINE” and simply great value.
I’ve always wanted an everyday drinking wine that’s great value and easy enough to repeat if necessary!! Do it - try one, or two (sips, glasses, etc.) and call me in the morning!
Rooiberg Winery
André Scriven , Senior Winemaker: In keeping with its proud tradition, Rooiberg strives to continuously fulfill on the quality of its wines and offer something for each pallet in the market. Hard work and dedication with attention to detail in the vineyard and winery, makes way for producing wines for the global market. We are very proud to receive these rewards!
De Krans
Boets Nel, MD: We are very pleased with the great results for De Krans at the Ultra Value Challenge 2019/20! These results are proof of the huge effort that our whole team has put into improving the quality of our entire varietal range over the past few years, culminating in 2 Double Gold and 2 Gold awards for De Krans this year.
Kranskop Wines
Kranskop Wine Team: Kranskop Wines are thrilled with the results of our 2017 Kranskop Pinot Noir and 2018 Kranskop Chenin Blanc, and excited to encourage our clients to trust the awards in guiding them to buy with good value in mind. Apart from tasting our basket pressed wines or taking part in an onsite experience on the farm, this should serve as a seal of trust – allowing the customer to trust us when showing that each of our wines are a bottled experience, a unique product, produced with heart and soul. A small farm, we open our arms to welcome all wine enthusiasts.
Mountain Ridge Wines
Justin Corrans, CEO: Mountain Ridge changed gears and focus on ensuring that specific vineyard sites are getting the attention in the vineyards and in the winery to ensure that they live up to their full potential. The Jail Break range offers exceptional value. The Double Gold, Gold and Silver medals for the Jail break Pinotage, Chenin Blanc and Shiraz, respectively it is a further validation that we are on the right track with the hard work done by our growers and winemakers.
Louisvale Wines
Simon Smith, Winemaker: We are delighted with our 1 double gold and 2 gold medals. All Louisvale grapes are hand harvested and the vineyard blocks are treated separately. We strive to give our clients the best quality wines at the best price. We will continue to make sure that our quality of wines will always be of high standard.
The full list of winning wines by award, in the order of their final scores, follow:
Double Gold Medal Winners
Darling Cellars Reserve Bushvine Sauvignon Blanc 2019 100/100
Ultra Liquors SECRET CELLAR CABERNET 259 2015 100/100
Zevenwacht 7even Rood 2017 99/100
Darling Cellars Reserve Old Blocks Pinotage 2017 99/100
Du Toitskloof Wines Pinotage/Merlot/Ruby Cabernet 2018 99/100
Rooiberg Winery Rooiberg Range Cabernet / Merlot (Roodewyn) 2018 98/100
Swartland Winery Winemakers Collection Chenin Blanc 2019 98/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Five's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 98/100
Louisvale Wines Stone Road Merlot 2018 97/100
Ken Forrester Wines Petit Chardonnay 2019 97/100
Flagstone Wines Kumala Reserve Pinotage 2018 96/100
Namaqua Wines Cape West Shiraz/Pinotage 2018 96/100
Stellenbosch Vineyards Welmoed Sauvignon Blanc 2019 96/100
Leopard's Leap Wines Unwooded Chardonnay 2019 96/100
Boland Cellar Five Climates Merlot 2018 96/100
Ultra Liquors SECRET CELLAR PINOTAGE 211 2016 96/100
Leopard's Leap Wines Cabernet Merlot 2018 95/100
Swartland Winery Winemakers Collection Blanc De Noir 2019 95/100
Ultra Liquors SECRET CELLAR MERLOT 990 2017 95/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Rondebosch Chenin Blanc 2019 95/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Alvi's Drift Signature Pinotage 2018 95/100
De Krans Basket Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 95/100
Landskroon Wines Blanc de Noir Off-Dry 2019 95/100
Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2019 95/100
Mountain Ridge Wines Jail break Pinotage 2017 95/100
Namaqua Wines Cellar Door 2017 95/100
Du Toitskloof Wines Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2018 94/100
De Krans Pinotage Rose 2019 94/100
Distell Two Oceans Cabernet Merlot Sauvignon 2019 94/100
Ken Forrester Wines Petit Rosé 2019 94/100
Leopard's Leap Wines Culinaria Chenin 2017 94/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Pandora's Box Lock 1855 Merlot / Cab Sauv NV 94/100
Rhebokskloof Cellar Selection Range The Flatrock 2016 94/100
Robertson Winery Shiraz 2018 94/100
Stellenbosch Vineyards Arniston Bay Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2019 94/100
Stettyn Family Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2019 94/100
Gold Medal Winners
Allée Bleue Wines Starlette Blanc 2019 93/100
Cloof Wine Estate Bush Vines Chenin Blanc 2018 93/100
Ernie Els Big Easy Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 93/100
Backsberg Estate Cellars Premium Pinotage 2018 92/100
Bon Courage Wine Estate The Pepper Tree Shiraz 2018 92/100
Diemersfontein Wine Estate Diemersfontein Harlequin 2017 92/100
Landskroon Wines Pinotage 2017 92/100
Leopard's Leap Wines Culinaria Pinot Noir 2016 92/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Bella Vino Sublime White NV 92/100
Zevenwacht The Tin Mine 2015 92/100
Allée Bleue Wines Starlette Sauvignon Blanc 2019 92/100
Bon Courage Wine Estate The Mulberry Bush Merlot 2019 92/100
Darling Cellars Chocoholic 2017 92/100
Namaqua Wines Cape West Sauvignon Blanc 2019 92/100
Namaqua Wines Cape West Cabernet Sauvignon/Pinotage 2018 92/100
Stellenbosch Vineyards Welmoed Merlot 2018 92/100
Stellenbosch Vineyards Welmoed Shiraz 2018 92/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Signature Viognier 2019 92/100
Flagstone Wines Truth Tree Pinotage 2017 92/100
Painted Wolf Wines Peloton Rouge 2015 92/100
Bushmanspad Estate Red Gold Blend 2017 92/100
Somerset Wines Direct Lady Somerset Chenin Blanc Sauv Crisp Dry White 2018 92/100
Stettyn Cellar Chardonnay & Pinot Noir 2019 92/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Merlot 2018 92/100
Darling Cellars Reserve Pyjama Bush 2019 91/100
Darling Cellars Reserve Black Granite Shiraz 2018 91/100
Ken Forrester Wines Petit Sauvignon Blanc 2019 91/100
Stellenbosch Vineyards Welmoed Chenin Blanc 2019 91/100
Stettyn Family Vineyards Shiraz 2017 91/100
Ultra Liquors SECRET CELLAR SHIRAZ GRENACHE 119 2017 91/100
uniWines Vineyards Goudini Shiraz 2018 91/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Bella Vino Seductively Sweet NV 91/100
Stellenbosch Hills Polkadraai Pinotage / Merlot 2018 91/100
Distell Two Oceans Chenin Blanc 2019 91/100
Distell Drostdy Hof Adelpracht 2019 91/100
Namaqua Wines Cape West Pinotage/Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 91/100
Robertson Winery Beaukett 2019 91/100
Boland Cellar Five Climates Chenin Blanc 2019 90/100
Bushmanspad Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 90/100
Flagstone Wines Noon Gun White Blend 2018 90/100
Louisvale Wines Stone Road Sauvignon Blanc 2019 90/100
Louisvale Wines Louisvale Dominique 2017 90/100
Ken Forrester Wines Petit Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 90/100
Rooiberg WineryThe Game Reserve Range Chenin Blanc 2017 90/100
Zandwijk Wines Unorthodox Chenin Blanc 2018 90/100
Opstal Wines Sixpence Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2018 90/100
Theuniskraal Sauvignon Blanc 2019 90/100
African Pride Wines Forager Red 2018 90/100
Flagstone Wines Poetry Chardonnay 2019 90/100
Rooiberg Winery The Game Reserve Range Chardonnay 2018 90/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Five's Reserve Pinotage 2018 90/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Signature Chenin Blanc 2019 89/100
Diemersfontein Wine Estate Ovation Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2017 89/100
Flagstone Wines Kumala Reserve Chenin Blanc 2019 89/100
Landskroon Wines Chenin Blanc 2019 89/100
McGregor Winery Colombard 2019 89/100
Mountain Ridge Wines Jail break Chenin Blanc 2018 89/100
Roodezandt Winery Chenin Blanc 2019 89/100
Stettyn Family Vineyards Merlot 2017 89/100
Theuniskraal Bouquet Blanc 2019 89/100
Ultra Liquors TOP SECRET SHIRAZ CABERNET 2016 89/100
Villiera Wines Villiera Sauvignon Blanc 2019 89/100
Leopard's Leap Wines Chenin Blanc 2019 89/100
Robertson Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 89/100
Boland Cellar Five Climates Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 89/100
Tierhoek Wines Sauvignon Blanc 2018 89/100
Bon Courage Wine Estate Blend Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz 2018 89/100
Kleine Zalze Wines Cellar Selection Chardonnay 2019 89/100
Kranskop Wines Pinot Noir 2017 89/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Pandora's Box Honeysuckle Sweet Red NV 89/100
Opstal Wines Wild Woman Sauvignon Blanc 2019 89/100
Stettyn Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 89/100
Weltevrede Wine Estate Cherrychoc Merlot 2017 89/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Rondebosch Chardonnay 2018 88/100
Zevenwacht 7even Rosé 2019 88/100
De Krans Free Run Chenin Blanc 2019 88/100
Diemersfontein Wine Estate Ovation Merlot 2017 88/100
Du Toitskloof Wines Chenin Blanc 2019 88/100
Kleine Zalze Wines Cellar Selection Pinotage 2018 88/100
Theuniskraal Shiraz 2017 88/100
uniWines Vineyards Meander Chenin Blanc 2019 88/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Van Loveren Neil's Pick Colombar 2019 88/100
Flagstone Wines Tributary Chenin Blanc 2018 88/100
Leopard's Leap Wines Shiraz 2017 88/100
Namaqua Wines Sauvignon Blanc 2019 88/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Pandora's Box The Gooseberry Sauv Blanc NV 88/100
Somerset Wines Direct Lady Somerset 2018 88/100
Ultra Liquors TOP SECRET MERLOT 2014 88/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Cape Ruby NV 88/100
Croydon Wine C0 Croydon Title Deed Rose 2019 88/100
Croydon Wine C0 Croydon Title Deed Cape Blend 2018 88/100
Diemersfontein Wine Estate Diemersfontein Sauvignon Blanc 2019 88/100
Kranskop Wines Kranskop Chenin Blanc 2018 88/100
Middelvlei Rooster Merlot 2018 88/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Five's Reserve Merlot Rosé 2019 88/100
Villiera WinesVilliera Merlot 2016 88/100
Bon Courage Wine Estate Andre's Fame Colombard 2019 87/100
Kleine Zalze Wines Cellar Selection Chenin Blanc Bush Vines 2019 87/100
Roodezandt Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 87/100
uniWines Vineyards Meander Moscato Pink NV 87/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Cape Pride Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2018 87/100
Boland CellarFive Climates Shiraz 2016 87/100
Rhebokskloof Cellar Selection Range Hillside White 2019 87/100
Roodezandt Winery Red Muscadel 2018 87/100
Stellenbosch Hills Polkadraai Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2019 87/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Signature Shiraz 2018 87/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Rondebosch Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2018 87/100
Bonnievale Wines Dawn NV 87/100
De Krans Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2018 87/100
Flagstone Wines Treaty Tree Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon / Malbec / Merlot 2017 87/100
Flagstone Wines Longitude Red Blend 2018 87/100
La Bri Estate Double Door White 2017 87/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Pandora's Box The Persian Connection Shiraz NV 87/100
Robertson Winery Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2018 87/100
Ultra Liquors SECRET CELLAR SAUVIGNON BLANC 527 2018 87/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Four Cousins Collection Merlot 2018 87/100
Silver Medal Winners
Darling Cellars Reserve Arum Fields Chenin Blanc 2019 86/100
Flagstone Wines Kumala Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2019 86/100
Kleine Zalze Wines Cellar Selection Merlot 2018 86/100
Opstal Wines Fairbridge Chenin Blanc 2019 86/100
Stellenbosch Hills Chenin Blanc 2019 86/100
uniWines Vineyards Meander Moscato NV 86/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Van Loveren Blanc de Noir Red Muscadel 2019 2019 86/100
Flagstone Wines Dragon Tree Cape Blend 2017 86/100
Opstal Wines Sixpence Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2019 86/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Four Cousins Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 86/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Five's Reserve Chenin blanc 2019 86/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Cape Pride Chenin Blanc Chardonnay 2018 86/100
Du Toitskloof Wines Tunnel Sweet White NV 86/100
Robertson Winery Chapel Chenin Blanc/ Colombard 2019 86/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Bella Vino Sassy Sweet Red NV 85/100
Painted Wolf Wines Peloton Blanc 2018 85/100
Le Pommier Wine Estate Rosé 2019 85/100
Lourensford River Garden Classique Sauvignon Blanc 2019 85/100
Robertson Winery Merlot 2018 85/100
Somerset Wines Direct Lord Somerset Cab Sauv Merlot 2018 85/100
Allée Bleue Wines Starlette Pinotage 2018 85/100
Bon Courage Wine Estate The Gooseberry Bush Sauvignon Blanc 2019 85/100
Rooiberg Winery Range Sauvignon Blanc 2019 85/100
uniWines Vineyards Goudini Chenin Blanc 2019 85/100
Koelenhof Wynkelder Koelenhof Koelenberg 2018 85/100
uniWines Vineyards Goudini Merlot 2017 85/100
Landskroon Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 84/100
Stettyn Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2019 84/100
Zandwijk Wines Unorthodox Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 84/100
Delheim Pinotage Rosé 2019 84/100
Du Toitskloof Wines Tunnel Crisp White NV 84/100
Du Toitskloof Wines Tunnel Robust Red NV 84/100
Zorgvliet Wines Silver Myn Argentum 2018 84/100
Koelenhof Wynkelder Koelenhof Koelnektar 2019 84/100
Zorgvliet Wines Silver Myn Rose 2019 84/100
Bushmanspad Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2017 84/100
Painted Wolf Wines The Den Rose 2019 84/100
Stettyn Cellar Stone White 2019 84/100
Ken Forrester Wines Petit Pinotage 2019 83/100
Leopard's Leap Wines Culinaria Grand Vin 2017 83/100
McGregor Winery Chardonnay2019 83/100
uniWines Vineyards Goudini Brut Sparkling NV 83/100
African Pride Wines Forager White 2019 83/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Signature Pinotage Rose 2019 83/100
Namaqua Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 83/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Four Cousins Collection Sauvignon blanc 2018 83/100
Zevenwacht 7even Sauvignon Blanc 2019 83/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Signature Merlot 2018 83/100
Boland Cellar Five Climates Sauvignon Blanc 2019 83/100
Du Toitskloof Wines Tunnel Sweet Red NV 83/100
Ultra Liquors SECRET CELLAR MERLOT CABERNET 102 2017 83/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards River Red Shiraz Pinotage 2019 83/100
Distell Drostdy Hof Claret 2019 83/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Pandora's Box The Biscuit Tin Sparkling Wine 2019 83/100
Stellenbosch Hills Muscat de Hambourg 2018 83/100
Stellenbosch Vineyards Welmoed Pinotage 2018 83/100
Zorgvliet Wines Silver Myn Sauvignon Blanc 2019 83/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Signature Sauvignon Blanc 2019 82/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Signature Chardonnay 2019 82/100
Bonnievale Wines Dusk NV 82/100
Koelenhof Wynkelder Koelenhof Koelenhoffer 2019 82/100
Koelenhof Wynkelder Koelenhof Sauvignon Blanc Vin-Sec 2018 82/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Special Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2019 82/100
Allée Bleue Wines Starlette Shiraz Rose 2019 82/100
Bon Courage Wine Estate Lady of the House Pinotage Rosé 2019 82/100
Cape Point Vineyards Cape Town Wine Co Cab Sav/Merlot 2018 82/100
Kranskop Wines Kranskop Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 82/100
Somerset Wines Direct Lord Somerset Bushvine 2019 82/100
Van Loveren Family Vineyards Blanc de Blanc 2019 82/100
Backsberg Estate Cellars Merlot 2018 82/100
Bonnievale Wines Mist NV 82/100
Kranskop Wines Kranskop Petite Sirah Viognier Rosé 2019 82/100
Namaqua Wines Namaqua Pinotage 2018 82/100
Namaqua Wines Namaqua Chenin Blanc 2019 82/100
Backsberg Estate Cellars Backsberg Premium Sauvignon Blanc 2019 82/100
Flagstone Wines Poetry Merlot 2019 82/100
Leopard's Leap Wines Sauvignon Blanc 2019 82/100
Rooiberg Winery Range Pinotage Rosé 2019 82/100
Cape Point Vineyards Cape Town Wine Co Sauvignon Blanc 2018 81/100
Du Toitskloof Wines Tunnel Sweet Rosé NV 81/100
Landskroon Wines Sauvignon Blanc 2019 81/100
Leopard's Leap Wines Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir NV 81/100
Delheim Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 81/100
Landskroon Wines Merlot 2017 81/100
McGregor Winery Shiraz 2018 81/100
Roodezandt Winery Sauvignon blanc 2019 81/100
Swartland Winery Winemakers Collection Pinotage 2018 81/100
Ultra Liquors SECRET CELLAR SAUVIGNON BLANC 600 2019 81/100
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 81/100
Robertson Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2019 81/100
Stettyn Cellar STETTYN STONE RED 2018 81/100
Du Toitskloof Wines Sauvignon Blanc 2019 81/100
Lourensford Flower Collection Rosé 2019 81/100
McGregor Winery Chenin blanc 2019 81/100
Mountain Ridge Wines Jail break Shiraz 2017 81/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Aden's Star The Golden Fleece Red Blend 2017 81/100
Opstal Wines Fairbridge Cabernet Sauvignon NV 81/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Pandora's Box The Professor's Pinotage NV 80/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Pandora's Box The Bell Pepper Cab Sauv NV 80/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Pandora's Box La Dolce Vita Moscato NV 80/100
Bushmanspad Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2019 80/100
Cape Point Vineyards Cape Town Wine co 2018 80/100
Diemersfontein Wine Estate Ovation Sauvignon Blanc 2018 80/100
La Bri Estate La Bri Chardonnay 2018 80/100
Mountain Ridge Wines Mountain Ridge Shiraz 2017 80/100
Painted Wolf Wines The Den Sauvignon Blanc 201980
Theuniskraal Cape Riesling 2019 80/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Bella Vino Sultry Red NV 80/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Aden's Star The Golden Fleece Red Blend 2016 80/100
Lourensford River Garden Classique Merlot 2018 80/100
McGregor Winery Pinotage 2018 80/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Pandora's Box The Black Bird Merlot NV 80/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Pandora's Box The Italian Job NV 80/100
Diemersfontein Wine Estate The Prodigy Pinotage 2018 79/100
Flagstone Wines Free Run Sauvignon Blanc 2018 79/100
McGregor Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2019 79/100
Robertson Winery Chapel Cab / Merlot 2018 79/100
Flagstone Wines Treaty Tree Reserve Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon 2018 79/100
Swartland Winery Winemakers Collection Dry Red NV 79/100
Distell Two Oceans Shiraz Rosé 2019 79/100
Weltevrede Wine Estate Vanilla Chardonnay 2017 79/100
Koelenhof Wynkelder Koelenhof Pinotage 2018 78/100
Le Pommier Wine Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2019 78/100
Theuniskraal Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 78/100
Flagstone Wines Two Roads Chardonnay 2017 78/100
Flagstone Wines Word of Mouth Viognier 2018 78/100
Namaqua Wines Doornkraal 2018 78/100
Nicholson Smith Agencies Pandora's Box The Godfather NV 78/100
Robertson Winery Ruby Cabernet 2018 77/100
Bonnievale Wines Night NV 76/100
Namaqua Wines Shiraz 2017 76/100
SPONSOR: MCC - The world's best premium wine label printer
Rian Moore, President MCC Labels Africa’s, commented: ‘Value describes the intersection between quality and price – and remains a crucial aspect of wine marketing. We’re pleased to underscore our commitment to the wine industry by supporting this value-driven competition.’
Multi-Color Corporation (MCC) is proud to be involved with the 2019 Ultra Value Wine Challenge competition. Our association over many years with this prestigious competition underscores our commitment to the South African wine industry which we serve so closely. Globally, MCC is the largest and most awarded premium wine label printer with operations spanning 86 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in 22 countries.
MCC has the technology, value, service, and print solutions to ensure that your label is a true reflection of your brand – whether you are a small boutique producer or a global brand-owner. We have a deep understanding of labels. MCC can advise on how your label can heighten shelf presence, add perceived value and extend the lifespan of your product. With MCC and your imagination, we can help make your next label a classic - and help you keep on winning!
For further information please contact accounts@buybetterwine.com.