The National Wine Challenge, incorporating Top 100 SA Wines, the premier fine-wine-only wine competition in SA, launched the industry’s first set of key 2019 results last night.
Top wineries, their wine makers and partners celebrated their victories at Spier in Stellenbosch. Superb winning wines were enjoyed accompanied by live jazz and canapés, in keeping with the swinging mood. Following the actual awards ceremony and in customary style the winning wines were opened for tasting and review. A strong show of support had record entries of well over 600 of the Capes finest wines entered.
So, what were the results?
WHITE WINES
Overall, white wines gained a total of twenty eight wins in 2019. This was a reduction to 2018 when thirty seven white wines cracked the judges nod. Chardonnay lead the charge this year with a total of seven victories. Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc were both close behind with six wins each. The category of Other Blends managed four victories, Unusual Cultivars gained three wins while Bordeaux Blends garnered a total of two wins.
The top 10 winning white wines overall included three Chardonnays, two Chenin Blanc's and two Sauvignon Blanc wines. Other categories were one Bordeaux Blend, a Riesling and a Other White Blend.
Regionally, 7 of the top-10 ranked white wines came from Stellenbosch.
RED WINES
The red wine category again did handsomely. A total of sixty eight winning wines found favour with judges and gained Top 100 podium positions. This was a higher showing than in the past two years. Shiraz, for the fourth year running, led the results with a strong performance that again included fourteen victories. Bordeaux Blends did very well achieving nine winning medals while the categories Other Red Blends as well as Other Red Cultivars both garnered a total of eight wins each. Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot Noir each won acclaim with six victories apiece. Pinotage and Rhone Blends both achieved a total of five podium slots. Cape Blends only managed a single, fine, Top 100 placing.
The top 10 red wines included a strong showing of four Bordeaux Blends, with other categories gaining a single wine each – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinotage, Rhone Blend, Shiraz and Other Red Blend.
Regionally, Six of the top 10 red slots went to Stellenbosch. Cederberg, Constantia, Franschoek and Paarl took the other four positions.
Thus for both white and red wines, Stellenbosch dominated the 2019 Top 100 Challenge top scoring results.
ROSÉ
For the third year a fine rosé wine cracked a gong and achieved a Top 100 slot.
MCC & SPARKLING WINES
This year just two MCC’s gained well-earned podium positions, a Blanc de Blanc and a Brut rosé.
NATURAL SWEET WINES
This category enjoyed two fine winning wines.
FORTIFIED & MUSCADEL
Two delicious fortified examples and a single Muscadel gained podium slots.
PORT STYLE
Three what can only be described as outstanding wines made the grade this year.
VINTAGE
For white wines it was both the vintages 2018 with sixteen victories followed by 2017 with eleven victories that dominated wins this year. By comparison, for red wines it was vintage 2017 that showcased thirty three winners, followed by vintage 2016 with twenty two winning wines. This was expected, given that white wines are generally entered and shown at younger ages.
SCORES & TOP WINE QUALITY
Winning wines gaining Double Platinum/Top 100 status awards, gained scores of between 91 and 96/100. While this was similar to 2018, there were a fine spread of scores. It remains an accurate statement to make that SA fine wine remains in ascendancy, steadily improving across all cultivars. These results again lend credence to the improvement found across regions and across styles. These are positive industry facts.
HIGHEST THREE SCORES FOR WHITE WINES
Two Stellenbosch Chardonnays
A Darling and a Stellenbosch Chenin (joint)
HIGHEST THREE SCORES FOR RED WINES
A Stellenbosch Bordeaux Blend
A Paarl Pinotage
A Stellenbosch Cabernet
HIGHEST SCORING MCC
A Robertson Blanc de Blanc
HIGHEST SCORING SWEET, FORTIFIED & PORT
A Red Muscadel
A white Fortified
A Vintage and a Tawny Port (joint)
STATISTICS & RATIO OF ENTRIES TO WINS - Top 100/Double Platinum awards
Red wines accounted for 55% of entries. White wines representing 36% of all entries.
Rose wines accounted for just 2% of entries, while MCC gained 3.5%, a similar figure to Sweets/Fortified/Muscadel and Ports.
Around 19% of the exceptionally high quality red wine entries gained Top 100 status. White wines enjoyed a winning ratio of approximately 12.5% for a similar winning status. About 10% of MCC’s entered gained Top 100 status, similar to sweet/port/fortified’ s. Rose was lower still at 8%.
These statistics were again similar to both 2018 and 2017 National Wine Challenges although white wine wins have declined somewhat. Despite the very high quality of wines entered, 2019 proved again to be a very fiercely contested Challenge.
ROBIN VON HOLDT reviews the 2019 NATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE (NWC), the biggest, most successful wine competition event to date:
“Now in our 9th year of running this premier fine-wine competition, we are totally thrilled with this year’s success! Such positive, strong levels of commitment and support given to us by many of SA’s leading vineyards is just so exciting and rewarding. There continues great respect for the polished manner in which our professional team goes about its business, supporting and promoting SA fine-wine through the National Wine Challenge. Wineries and their key members continue to see tremendous commercial and brand value in competing, and winning where possible, the acclaimed array of awards. Industry and public recognition of stellar performances, provides independent credibility for wineries and their high performing wines. Record fine-wine entries once more continue to endorse the NWC/Top 100 brand nine years on.
SA fine wines remain in positive territory and they are on a continued upward trajectory. Our fine wine quality continues to improve. Critics support the SA fine wine thrust taking place worldwide. Vineyard and cellar practices continue to improve, resulting in better structure and balance in our best wines. Thus our wine future remains a bright one, despite the hard work that the industry demands. We continue our justified praise of SA’s fine wines at every opportunity. These great, recently awarded Top 100 SA wines, fully deserve it!
The results in 2019 are strong. They showcase a fine portfolio of well-balanced, often complex wines, many of which are truly brilliant wines. This award is always a tough nut, extremely difficult to crack. Attracting more fine wine entries simply makes it that much harder to achieve the coveted win. A good number of new vineyards again entered the 2019 NWC for the first time. Pleasingly a few managed to crack a win (or more) this year! The quality of judges, the judging protocols and rigorous audit, leads the way and sets the standard that others follow. The unique APP continues to showcases SA’s fine wines in 60+ countries. Our warm thanks again go to all of our supporters. Our special congratulations, of course, go to all 2019 winners.”
DOUBLE PLATINUM / TOP 100 WINNERS 2019
The following vineyards were major winners in the 2019 National Wine Challenge /Top 100:
Fairview/Spice Route (6)
Spier (5)
Alvis Drift (5)
DGB (5)
Jordan (4)
Zorgvliet (4)
Babylonstoren (3)
Eikendal (3)
Groot Constantia (3)
Orange River Cellars (3)
Paul Cluver (3)
Raka (3)
Saronsberg (3)
Stellenbosch Vineyards: (3)
Vrede en Lust (3)
Eleven vineyards gained two victories each.
Twenty nine vineyards gained a single victory each.
NEW WINNING WINERIES INCLUDE:
Walker Bay
Montagu Winery
Meinert Wines
Lieben Wines
La Couronne Wine Estate
Jasons Hill Private Cellar
Fort Simon
Bushmanspad Estate
A full list of the winning wines is available at the end of the press release.
WINNERS SHARE THEIR COMMENTS
Fairview/Spice Route (6)
Charles Back, owner: “We required the very best to honour my late parents. I’m delighted that Beryl Back and Cyril Back made the cut alongside the Eenzaamheid Shiraz and Primo Pinotage."
Charl du Plessis, Spice Route Winemaker: “It’s exciting to see the Swartland producing exceptional wines across such a wide spectrum of styles. Both these wines, Spice Route Amos Block Perpetual Reserve NV & Spice Route Chakalaka represent the Swartland in their own unique way.”
Spier (5)
Frans Smit, Cellar Master: “It is an absolute honour that no less than five of Spier’s wines achieved Double Platinum at this year’s National Wine Championship. We always strive for excellence and are humbled when our efforts are acknowledged by the industry.”
Alvis Drift (5)
Riaan Marais, General Manager: “We are honoured to have 5 Double platinum / Top 100 winning wines in this year’s NWC/Top100 awards competition. At Alvi’s Drift we believe in making the best wines we can, every time and for every tier. Achieving Top 100 awards in several tiers, including our humble Signature tier, is a testimony to this core value and the talent and hard work of the Alvi’s Drift family.”
DGB (5)
James Gower, DGB Premium Brand Manager – Wine: “We are delighted with the Blind Tasting results of the NWC Top 100 awards in 2019 with five of our Premium wines scoring the prestigious Top 100 & Double Platinum award. We believe in our premium wines. As a result, it is fantastic to obtain the same recognition from a trusted source such as the NWC Top 100. In a blind tasting, there is nothing to hide behind and our success shows that we have no need to.”
Zorgvliet (4)
Bernard le Roux, Winemaker: “Zorgvliet managed to gather four Top 100 awards for the Merlot 2017, Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Petit Verdot 2017 and Cabernet Franc 2017 respectively. These awards are testament to the consistent quality goals we set for ourselves. We are humbled by this success!"
Babylonstoren (3)
Klaas Stoffberg, winemaker: “To get three wines in the Top 100 / Double platinum is a very good achievement. Our Chardonnay, Shiraz and Nebukadnesar (Bordeaux blend) are building up a good reputation and this is just a good indication that we are on the right track with these wines.”
Eikendal (3)
Nico Grobler, Cellar Master: “A great result for Eikendal. Having 3 wines among the Top 100 very special and a great achievement for our team. The fact that the panel of judges is world class really makes this even more special and shows the quality of Eikendal.”
Groot Constantia (3)
Jean Naudé, General Manager: “Our wines continue to move from strength to strength in the international arena - having collectively won well over 100 gold awards from wine competitions held across the globe in the past few years alone,” says Jean Naudé, CEO of Groot Constantia. “Winning three Double Platinum Awards further displays, and confirms, the Estates overall variety of exceptional quality cultivars.
Orange River Cellars (3)
Rianco van Rooyan Senior Winemaker: “With three Double Platinum Awards/Top 100 recognition across a range of wine styles we are a well satisfied production team at Orange River Cellars. Our Red Muscadel and Straw Wine receive constant attention across a spectrum of competitions and we are excited about the direction we are heading in with our barrel matured red wine as this is the second successive vintage of our Lyra Vega to be included in the Top 100 wines. A lot of thanks has to go to our viticultural team and our producer members whom without receiving quality grapes would be impossible!"
Paul Cluver (3)
Paul Cluver, Proprietor: “Andries would have liked more!”
Raka (3)
Jorika Dreyer, Marketing Manager: “We are very pleased with these results, especially the Biography 2016 which was not selected last year. We have full confidence in the Biography 2016 and decided to enter it again this year. The results speak for themselves.”
Saronsberg (3)
Dewaldt Heyns, Cellarmaster: "We are delighted to be the recipient of three National Wine Challenge Top 100 awards, and two Double Gold awards. We consider the NWC as an important benchmark for measuring our progress and consistency against some of South Africa's other top producers. Our dedication to consistency is reflected in the fact that we have retained a high vineyard consistency ranking over the past 9 years."
Stellenbosch Vineyards: (3)
Petri De Beer, Junior Winemaker: “Three Double Platinum/Top 100 winning wines! We are delighted with the performance of our wines in this year’s National Wine Challenge and over the moon on achieving such great results through the consistent quality across vintages and varietals."
Vrede en Lust (3)
Karlin Nel, Winemaker: “Vrede en Lust White Mischief 2018; Kogelberg Chenin Blanc 2016 and Vrede en Lust Lady J 201. A Double Platinum/Top 100 award for these three wines is a wonderful recognition for our winemaking team and confirmation of our chosen style. As a winemaker this is an amazing validation of the effort that we put into the wines when crafting them. This is a clear indication that we are working with vineyards with exceptional terrior and producing very special wines.”
Almenkerk (2)
Joris van Almenkerk – winemaker & proprietor Almenkerk Wine Estate (pictured left): "For Almenkerk, a small Wine Estate, to be rated Top100 consistently, helps us promote our wines tremendously. It puts us, as well as our cool climate Elgin Valley on the map. We are grateful for the recognition as it shows our team that the hard work that we put into the pruning, the sorting, the attention to detail – is paying off, whether it is for our Almenkerk Flagship wines or our Lace Collection. We cannot wait to share the news with our team, our family and our loyal clients."
Boplaas (2)
Carel Nel, Proprietor: “Tawny Port - only the finest Touriga Nacional and Tinta Barocca are used. Cape Vintage Reserve Port - Vineyards with low yields (5t/ha) are used. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barocca, Souzao & Touriga Franca ripe grapes made in traditional lagars which ensure this top calibre. We are thrilled.”
Cederberg (2)
David Nieuwoudt, Winemaker & Owner: "Cederberg Shiraz – From the maiden vintage in 2001 – there is no doubt that this wine has become a benchmark for the Shiraz cultivar in South Africa. As a team we stand behind the wine and can only add to what tasters from all over the world say in our tasting room, when we pour the Shiraz: “And now for the big one!”
Cederberg Sauvignon Blanc – This wine is the wine of choice of the people that work on the farm. We think it is a true representative of our location. You can taste the fresh mountain air in the wine. In this case, consistency is the name of the game for us. We dare not change our style because there is a following that will immediately remind us: “Do not touch a winning recipe!”
Klein Constantia (2)
Matt Day, Winemaker: "We are delighted to again be part of the select NWC/Top 100 wines of South Africa with two of our wines this year. It is a privilege to share company with some of South Africa’s greats. The competition is going from strength to strength and we are proud to have been taking part of this from the first challenge 9 years ago. ”
New Cape Wines (2)
Christiaan Groenewald, winemaker and owner: "Absolutely excited to boast 2 Top 100 & Double Platinum Awards for our Arendskloof Pinot Noir Rose and Arendskloof Chardonnay 2017! We used the best Chardonnay juice with lots of varietal flavours, then after fermentation in stainless steel we matured the wine in small French oak for a while, just enough to add to the wine, without losing the typical chardonnay fruit."
Nitida (2)
Daniel Keulder, Winemaker: “We are incredibly proud to have both our Sauvignon Blanc and Coronata blend in the Top 100. This is a sign that our continuous efforts to display the best expressions of our terroir are paying off!”
Oak Valley (2)
Hannes Spangenberg, Marketing Manager: “We are absolutely ecstatic to see two Oak Valley Pinot Noir’s with a Top 100/Double Platinum award! It is a testament to the fact that the cool climate of Elgin in general, and the terroir of Oak Valley specifically can produce world class Pinot Noir.”
Ormonde (2)
Theo Basson, Proprietor: “Award winning wines are all about selection. From careful vineyard management, to style and selection in the cellar. But for achieving these awards I would like to give credit to the team at Ormonde, working towards a shared philosophy of top achievement and building a premium brand.”
Painted Wolf (2)
Jeremy Borg, Winemaker: “What could be better than a life spent doing what one loves and being acknowledged for doing it well? Delighted that Painted Wolf have again managed two top 100 wines at the NWC. “
Raats Family Wines (2)
Bruwer Raats, Proprietor: "Raats Family Wines specializes in Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc and it is always rewarding to see the Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2016 as the Grand Cru in it's category and the Jasper Red Blend 2016 that is a Cabernet Franc led Bordeaux style blend in the TOP 100 wines consistently."
Akkerdal (1)
Pieter Hanekom, Owner / Viticulturist / Winemaker: Akkerdal Wild Boar 2015 - "It’s an honour for Akkerdal Wine Estate (as a Boutique cellar) to produce a SA Top 100 wine.
“Mother Nature” is where it all starts… and there must be a biodynamic balance in Root & Soil health to sustainable viticulture – it is the key to healthy vines and making good wines. Plant the right rootstocks /cultivars /clones on the right “terroir”.
Every footstep in the vineyard is the best fertilizer and the use of your “Gutfeel and Passion” will help to make a difference in the whole proses of winemaking - from the soil to the bottle."
Asara (1)
Pete Gottgens, Estate Manager and CEO: “Absolutely fantastic to receive this award on behalf of the Asara team, we continue to improve and this is the result of a focused approach and of course lots of hard work by all in the Asara team.”
Avontuur Estate (1)
Jan van Rooyen, Winemaker: “How great to have a SBL from the Helderberg wine growing area as a Top 100 wine – and this being a 2017 vintage proves that South African white wines have the power to last longer and be enjoyed beyond the year of production.”
Bon Courage (1)
Jacques Bruwer, Winemaker: “Nature and man working together to make award-winning wines.”
Bushmanspad (1)
Aldert Nieuwoudt,Winemaker and Viticulturist: “My team and I at Bushmanspad Estate are very excited and grateful to receive this award. We hope this will help set the Benchmark for using this unique variety. It certainly has proven to be one of the favourites amongst our premium red wines.”
Cape Wine Company (1)
Delaille Raubenheimer, National Sales and Marketing Manager: “We are tremendously honoured by this Double Platinum award in recognition for our Erasmus Grenache. A wine that is vibrant with red fruit and spice, concentrated yet has a remarkable freshness. We are excited for the future of this varietal in South Africa.”
D’Aria (1)
Lutske Doubell –Junior Winemaker: “The D’Aria Soprano has won numerous awards, however this is the first award for the 2017 Soprano release. This is a token to the dedication, passion and hard work which went into producing the 2017 release and we are honoured to receive the NWC Top 100 Double platinum award. “
De Krans Winery (1)
Louis van der Riet, winemaker: “We are thrilled that our flagship port-style wine once again proved its quality, after named the best fortified wine in South African in Master of Wine Tim Atkin’s SA report in 2017, as well as 2018. This is a big, well-rounded wine, that will mature well for 30 years and more.”
De Wetshof (1)
Johann de Wet, CEO: “South Africa is currently making some of the best Chardonnays in the New World, and the Chardonnay category of any competition is bound to be one of the most competitive. We are honoured to have shone in this environment of quality wines. This award for The Site 2016 vindicates De Wetshof’s commitment to site-specific Chardonnay making, as we believe this variety can only make great wine when it shows a true taste of place.”
Edgebaston (1)
David Finlayson, Proprietor & Cellarmaster: “This Double Platinum award, presented by such highly acclaimed wine critics and judges, is proudly received by me as proof of the fifteen years of my life I have invested in the land, the vineyards and winery, turning Edgebaston into one of the Cape’s best Cabernet Sauvignon producers."
Highlands Road (1)
Vanessa Simkiss, Winemaker: "We are delighted that this wine has been awarded a Double Platinum & Top 100 SA Wine status at this years NWC. It makes a big difference to consumers. Even though they may be impressed with what their palates are experiencing, it reassures them when they realise that professional wine judges share their opinion."
Graham Beck (1)
Pieter Ferreira, Graham Beck Cellarmaster: “We are delighted with the news that Graham Beck has excelled at the annual National WineChallenge/Top 100 Awards. With our stellar Graham Beck Brut Rosé NV receiving one of the competitions highest honours, a place in the Top 100 and a Double Platinum Award. This form of recognition on the judging circuit is further proof that we're on track when it comes to being worldleaders in the field of crafting outstanding sparkling wines.”
Ken Forrester (1)
Ken Forrester, Proprietor: “The Gypsy: A truly quirky vineyard in the Piekenierskloof planted in 1959 on its own roots!! Today it is the remnant of a 4 ha plot with no other plantings alongside or adjacent. The smallest most concentrated Grenache fruit is harvested in 2 separate pickings and starts off in tanks as a whole bunch, whole berry carbonic maceration and then we destalk and finish a conventional fermentation with wild yeasts. The wine is supported with a little Syrah and the intention is to show Grenache at its most concentrated elegance. Rather like a rugby forward dancing ballet. This is the Gypsy a wine that will reward immensely with keeping for at least 10 years and probably 20.”
La Couronne Wine Estate (1)
Juan Du Toit, Marketing and Sales Manager: “We are extremely proud of our Wine Maker and his team for receiving this amazing award. Receiving double Platinum for our unique 100% Malbec really emphasise their commitment and dedication to produce the best possible Malbec at a consumer friendly price”.
Lieben Wines (1)
Alwyn Liebenberg, Wine Maker/Owner: “The beauty of the Lieben Pinot Noir lies in the exceptional red fruit that the two Walker Bay vineyards offered, with deeper aromas of earth and spice. We are delighted!”
Longridge Wine Estate (1)
Jasper Raats, Winemaker: “We are very excited about this achievement and happy to see that less traditional styles of Pinotage are given the credit they deserve. Our vision has always been to produce wines of outstanding quality, grown and produced in an environmentally responsible way that are healthy to drink. We’re happy to see the results pay off.”
Meinert Wines (1)
Brendan Butler, CWM Winemaker: "Double Platinum/Top 100; Working with great vineyards and the support from an amazing team committed to quality offers daily rewards. Seeing this commitment come to fruition with Merlot, the core of our business, is just that much more rewarding."
Montagu Winery (1)
Winemakers Hermias Vollgraaff & Chris de Villiers: “As a mass production cellar we feel honoured that our hand crafted / single Vineyard wines can achieve such great honour in a prestige competition like the NWC Top 100. Montagu is well known for their Muscadel and we felt that selecting the perfect spot and giving extra care can result in something exceptional.”
Paul Wallace Wines (1)
Paul and Nicky Wallace, Proprietors: “Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape to manage both in the vineyard and the cellar. For our Brave Heart Pinot Noir 2017 to have been recognised and awarded Top100/Double Platinum status in this prestigious NWC/Top100 SA Wines Competition is a testament to the efforts of our team and indeed a great honour.”
Perdeberg Wines (1)
Gerhard vd Watt, CEO: “Endura receiving a Top 100 placement is heart- warming for a cellar claiming the title ‘The Home of Chenin Blanc’! Using a selection from amphora clay pots and unwooded components an elegant wine was crafted, bringing the natural fruit to the fore! A truly beautiful wine!”
Rickety Bridge Winery (1)
Donovan Ackerman, Cellar Master: “We are very proud and thrilled to have our Foundation Stone White 2017 under the Top 100, as well as being awarded Double Platinum. This white blend has come a long way and is showing off its true colours now, but with age it will only get better!”
Starke Conde (1)
Rudger van Wyk, Winemaker: “Our Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon is our flagship single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and we are proud to be the recognised with a Double Platinum Award and to be included in the Top 100 Wines.”
Walker Bay (1)
David Smit, Winemaker: “My philosophy regarding wine: Always make the best wine you can with the raw materials provided. Wine should be made to be enjoyed, no matter what the price point, with the end consumer always in mind.”
Zevenwacht (1)
Denise Johnson, Proprietor: “We are delighted with the Top 100 Double Platinum performance for our 2018 Old Vine Chenin Blanc and to be recognised for the hard work and efforts of the vineyard and cellar team.”
Hagen Viljoen, Cellar Master: “We are very happy with our results, especially the Chenin Blanc, as we have been putting renewed focus on this 38 year old vineyard and believe our cooler slopes on granitic soils in the Polkadraai Hills give a beautiful expression and purity to the wine.”
Alphabetic list of winning Top 100 / Double Platinum awarded SA wines:
Akkerdal Wine Estate Akkerdal Wild Boar 2015
Almenkerk Wine Estate Almenkerk Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Almenkerk Wine Estate Lace by Almenkerk Vineyard Selection 2015
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Alvi's Drift Albertus Viljoen Bismarck 2017
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Alvi's Drift Reserve Verreaux Pinotage 2017
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Alvi's Drift Signature Chenin Blanc 2018
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Alvi's Drift Albertus Viljoen Chardonnay 2018
Alvi's Drift Private Cellar Alvi's Drift Reserve CVC 2018
Asara Wine Estate Vineyard Collection Pinotage 2017
Avontuur Estate Sarabande Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2017
Babylonstoren Nebukadneser 2017
Babylonstoren Shiraz 2017
Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2018
Bon Courage Wine Estate Bon Courage Jacques Bruere Blanc de Blancs 2011
Boplaas Landgoed Boplaas Cape Tawny N/V
Boplaas LandgoedBoplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2017
Bushmanspad Estate Bushmanspad Estate Malbec 2017
Cape Wine Company Erasmus Grenache 2017
Cederberg Cellars Cederberg Shiraz 2017
Cederberg Cellars Cederberg Sauvignon Blanc 2018
D'Aria Winery The Soprano Shiraz 2017
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2016
De Wetshof Estate The Site 2016
DGB Brampton Roxton 2015
DGB Franschhoek Cellar Shiraz2017
DGB Bellingham The Bernard Series Basket Press Syrah 2016
DGB Bellingham The Bernard Series Small Barrel S.M.V 2015
DGB Bellingham Homestead Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Diemersfontein Wine Estate Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Malbec 2017
Diemersfontein Wine Estate Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Viognier 2018
Edgebaston Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Eikendal Vineyards Eikendal Chardonnay 2017
Eikendal Vineyards Eikendal Charisma 2017
Eikendal Vineyards Eikendal Classique 2016
Fairview Wines Fairview Primo Pinotage 2017
Fairview Wines FV Eenzaamheid Shiraz 2015
Fairview Wines Fairview Cyril Back Shiraz 2015
Fairview Wines Fairview Beryl Back 2017
Fort Simon Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Graham Beck Enterprises Graham Beck Brut Rose NV
Groot Constantia Wine Estate Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2016
Groot Constantia Wine Estate Groot Constantia Shiraz 2016
Groot Constantia Wine EstateGroot Constantia Grand Constance 2016
Highlands Road Chardonnay 2017
Jason's Hill Private Cellar Jason's Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Jordan Wine Estate Jordan Chameleon Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2016
Jordan Wine Estate Jordan The Real McCoy Riesling 2018
Jordan Wine Estate Jordan The Long Fuse Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Jordan Wine Estate Jordan Black Magic Merlot 2016
Ken Forrester Wines The Gypsy 2014
Klein Constantia Estate Red Blend 2016
Klein Constantia Estate Klein Constantia Metis Sauvignon Blanc 2017
La Couronne Wine Estate Malbec 2016
La Motte Wines La Motte Pierneef Syrah Viognier 2017
Lieben Wines Lieben Pinot Noir 2018
Longridge Wine Estate Longridge Pinotage 2018
Meinert Wines Meinert Merlot 2015
Montagu Winery Muscat de Frontignan 2017
New Cape Wines Arendskloof Chardonnay 2017
New Cape Wines Arendskloof Pinot Noir Rosé 2018
Nitida Wine Farm Nitida Coronata Integration 2017
Nitida Wine Farm Nitida Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Oak Valley Estate Sounds of Silence Pinot Noir 2018
Oak Valley Estate Groenlandberg Pinot Noir 2018
Orange River Cellars Red Muscadel 2017
Orange River Cellars Lyra Vega 2017
Orange River Cellars Straw Wine 2018
Ormonde Vineyards Ormonde Chip off the Old Block Chenin Blanc 2017
Ormonde Vineyards Ormonde Merlot 2015
Painted Wolf Wine Company Painted Wolf Wines Syrah 2017
Painted Wolf Wine Company Guillermo Pinotage 2017
Paul Cluver Wines Paul Cluver Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2017
Paul Cluver Wines Paul Cluver Estate Pinot Noir 2017
Paul Cluver Wines Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2018
Paul Wallace Wines Paul Wallace Brave Heart Pinot Noir 2017
Perdeberg Wines Endura Chenin Blanc 2017
Raats Family Wines Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2016
Raats Family Wines Raats Jasper Red Blend 2016
Raka Biography Shiraz 2017
Raka Biography Shiraz 2016
Raka Quinary 2017
Rickety Bridge Winery Foundation Stone White 2017
Rosendal Wines Barony Sophie 2016
Saronsberg Cellars Saronsberg Shiraz 2017
Saronsberg Cellars Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2017
Saronsberg Cellars Saronsberg Seismic 2016
Shannon Vineyards and Wines Shannon Mount Bullet Merlot 2016
Spice Route Amos Block Perpetual Reserve NV
Spice Route Chakalaka 2016
Spier Wines Spier Creative Block 5 2016
Spier Wines Woolworths Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2017
Spier Wines Spier Creative Block 3 2016
Spier Wines Spier Creative Block 2 2018
Spier Wines Woolworths Signature Series Merlot 2016
Stark-Conde Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo SMV 2017
Stellenbosch Vineyards Limited Release Cinsault 2018
Stellenbosch Vineyards Limited Release Verdelho 2018
Vrede en Lust White Mischief 2018
Vrede en Lust Kogelberg Chenin Blanc 2016
Vrede en Lust Lady J 2015
Walker Bay Vineyards Amesteca 2015
Zevenwacht Chenin Blanc 2018
Zorgvliet Wines Zorgvliet Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Zorgvliet Wines Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc 2017
Zorgvliet Wines Zorgvliet Merlot 2017
Zorgvliet Wines Zorgvliet Petit Verdot 2017
"As another year of wine judging passes, as the Chairman of the NWC judges, it gives me great pleasure to reflect upon what was yet again a superbly organised competition. All the judges take great pride in ensuring the wines entered are assessed to the very highest standards. Enjoying a polished and professionally run competition allows us to give 100% attention and focus to what’s in the glasses in front of us. Once again, some fantastic wines were entered with the overall quality of the various flights impressively high. Many of the whites were either from the exceptional 2017 vintage or the exciting, pure fruited 2018 harvest. While there was a wider array of vintages for the red wines, star performing categories included Syrah/Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon as would be expected but also surprisingly the single varietal Merlot flights. Excitingly, the Pinotage category also seems to grow in quality and stylistic confidence year on year, which is surely a good sign for the overall South African wine industry. Finally, a big thank you to all the wineries that entered and also to all my fellow judges who discharged their responsibilities with the highest degree of professionalism. If you are one of the winners, congratulations! Your hard work has been recognised and rewarded."
Greg Sherwood MW
Chairman of Judges
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