Growing in popularity the challenge saw record entry levels this year, which were up 15% on last year. From 440 of SA’s top wines entered, the winning wines included three Cap Classique wines, four Natural Sweet wines, five Port Style and Fortified wines, 27 White wines and 61 Red wines. The wines were judged by an esteem panel, chaired by Tim Atkin MW. He was joined on the judging panel by Dawid Niewoudt, Paul Cluver, Dewaldt Heyns, Boela Gerber, Charles Back and tasting director Higgo Jacobs. The De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2009 is produced using 62% Touriga Nacional, 36% Tinta Barocca and 2% Souzão grapes, and was aged for 22 months in old French oak. Winemaker Boets Nel describes their flagship port as having a vibrant plum colour, with dense aromas of prune, spice and tobacco. This premium port displays fleshy, chewy mouthful of flavours, showing tannic grip, concentrated red fruit nuances, and a firm structure ensuring considerable longevity, with the potential to mature for a further 20 to 25 years. Retailing for approximately R240 per bottle, savour this premium port on its own, or serve with stronger cheeses. This vintage was awarded a 5-star rating in the 2012 Platters South African Wine Guide, as well as walking away with the title Overall Champion at the 2011 Southern Cape Bottled Wine Show. For more information contact the cellar at 044 213 3314 or email dekrans@mweb.co.za. De Krans wines are distributed nationally by Wine Worx (tel. 021 886 9165).