Special award winners: Four categories namely Wine Consistency, Vineyard Consistency, Grand Cru Best In Class, and Wine Of The Year; Red, White, Sweet and Bubbly. Double Gold medal results will be released on Wednesday 7 June.
Robin von Holdt reviews special awards for the 13th National Wine Challenge 2023
We remain intrigued by the dominant influencing factors that contribute to recognition and achievement of fine wines status. It is a vivid debate given stakeholders worldwide status. There are however mainstream pointers. Primarily the vineyard and fruit sites are cornerstone. The best sites are needed as the base line starting point. Then, leadership that encourages and supports best practices both in the vineyards and in the cellar. Critical too are top quality staff who pull together in the agreed ‘best in class’ direction. Thus, attracting and retaining the best people is a mandatory practice. Investment in high quality equipment is a must, as is clonal selection and vineyard replanting. These actions altogether are what drive exceptional wine performance.
Given this dynamic background, we hold the belief that the following four key categories of special awards that the NWC recognises, are the critical long-term benchmarks. They encapsulate and validate core components of fine-wine performance. Each one of these four categories is unique as well as distinctive. They are crucial parts of the recognition process that leads to a plausible and believable fine wine brand. Whatever the wine style, wherever the vineyards sit, no matter which country the wine regions is based in, these are the four aspects that will underpin a claim and give credence to claiming ‘fine-wine’ status.
We now focus on and address the details of the various measurements and achievements, that result in select wineries achieving these prestigious and unique awards.
Wine Consistency awards
We identify and reward a single wines’ consistent performance in this category. There are a small handful of wines that have achieved a significant number of Top 100 winning positions over the entire thirteen year period. There are now just three fine wines that occupy the overall leading positions, measured by their multiple of annual Top 100 wins. These consistent top performance are tremendous reputation boosts for each wine maker as well as for the wine making teams. An envious track record, truly desirable and incredibly scarce, this recognition provides a blue-chip underpin to claiming fine-wine status. Great pride can be taken by each winning winery and team, who receives one of these three, top performing, wine consistency accolades.
Vineyard Consistency awards
The consistent achievement of high-quality wines as measured by benchmark accolades, is a characteristic that underpins the world’s greatest vineyards. It takes a considerable period of time to be in a position to earn such accolades and only once earned, is the case proven. The NWC assess and award only those top performing vineyards that have proved to be consistently at the fore of a spread of Top 100 winning wines. This means over the duration of the 13 years of this fine-wine competitions history. Over this period, there are now 5 vineyards in leading positions each with between 43 and 48 winning wines. This commendable long term performance is a remarkable achievement, given the very stiff competition. It goes a long way to endorsing each winning vineyards’ terroir, their high calibre vineyard and cellar teams, together with recognising the exceptional wine making skills involved.
Grand Cru Best in Class awards
The well regarded judges are able to identify with finite accuracy that one wine in each flight, that offers beguiling features and really compelling qualities. It is the singular, finest, example of its cultivar, or, of its blend category. Clearly, all Top 100 winning wines are outstanding expressions, falling definitively into the special fine-wine category that is instantly recognisable. However it is that single wine that has something else, something ‘special’ about its presence and attractiveness, that captures the panels attention and, in the end, gains the Grand Cru ‘Best in Class’ Award. It is always a privilege and a delight to taste this final, remarkable flight. Brilliantly made, these Grand Cru winning wines. They typically offer layers of flavour, texture and breadth. The wines are complex, nuanced and show remarkable length, together with that ultimate underpin, exceptional balance.
Wine of the Year awards: a red, white, bubbly and sweet wine
Three years again 2020 we added this fourth category to our special awards programme. It felt appropriate, given both our long track record as well as our commitment to recognising and rewarding excellence in the industry. Thus, we now also identify and celebrate these icons, during the judging process. We award and promote those four individual wines that stand apart within their peer group, from every other very fine wine. One white wine and one red wine, one bubbly and one sweet wine, that each achieve the single highest judged score in their generic band during the 2023 NWC competition.
The additional endorsement and level of recognition that these unique achievements bring to vineyards, as well as to their wine making teams, is of tangible brand value and commercial benefit. Each one of these awards offers a further enhancement of credibility and reputation, providing positive local market impact together with an enhanced global awareness and brand footprint. It also provides for differentiation of and recognition for their wine brands uniqueness and USP’s.
We can say with confidence that all of these special awards help and aid positively our fine-wine industry. They endorse both in SA and abroad the general success, reputation and upwards trajectory of SA fine-wines.
A huge thumbs up and absolute respect to each and every well-deserved winner!
Wine Consistency awards
Top three place winners for the twelve year period 2010 to 2023:
- Groot Constantia Grand Constance (1st Place - 12 wins)
- De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve (2nd Place - 10 wins)
- Saronsberg Full Circle (3rd Place - 9 wins)
Vineyard Consistency awards
The ‘Top 5’ places for the 13 year period from 2010 to 2023:
- Fairview (joint 1st place - 48 wins)
- Paul Cluver (joint 1st place - 48 wins)
- Jordan Wine Estate (2nd place - 46 wins)
- Alvi's Drift Private Cellar (joint 3rd place - 43 wins)
- Saronsberg Cellars
Grand Cru awards
‘Best in Class’ winning wines per cultivar or blend.
Quotes from winning vineyards who achieved these awards, firstly by number of wins, thereafter in alphabetical order:
Stellenbosch Vineyards (3)
Credo SMV
Credo Chenin Blanc
Flagship Petit Verdot
Abraham de Villiers and Bernard Claassen, senior winemakers: "It is an outstanding achievement to have three of our wines receive the Grand Cru award! As a team, we are humbled to see our wines flourish. We see this award as a testimony of the hard work and dedication of our team at Stellenbosch Vineyards."
Alvis Drift (2)
Verreaux Pinotage
Reserve Drift Fusion
Alvi van der Merwe, owner: "The recognition for Vineyard Consistency and to be awarded the prestigious Grand Cru National Champion Best in Class for two wines is a remarkable achievement for Alvi's Drift. It is a testimony to the dedication we have in consistently improving - delivering exceptional wines year after year."
De Krans (2)
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve
De Krans Tritonia Verdelho
Christoff De Wet, winemaker: "We are absolutely thrilled to have received the Grand Cru National Champion for Best in Class for both the Tritonia Verdelho 2021 and the Cape Vintage Reserve 2020!! This just shows once again of the quality of wines and port style wines we produce here in Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo. Like I always say, we are the biggest little winery in the world from the Klein Karoo, Calitzdorp!"
DTK Wines (Du Toitskloof) (2)
Land's End Cape South Coast Shiraz
Land's End Cape South Coast Sauvignon Blanc
Shawn Thomson, chief production manager: Land’s End Cape South Coast Shiraz 2020: "Making cool-climate wines for Land's End is still one of the best things about my job. Maritime conditions and altitudes produce very high quality Shiraz grapes and this is evident in our award-winning Land's End Cape South Coast Shiraz 2020."
Land’s End Cape South Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2022: "This wine deserves this award, especially after being a South African Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc a few years ago, it's wonderful to see that the brand continues to stand its ground as a top Sauvignon Blanc in a highly competitive category."
Painted Wolf Wines (2)
Black Tip Mourvèdre
Darius Carignan
Jeremy Borg, top dog and winemaker: "The Painted Wolf pack is extremely proud to have 10 wines recognised for their outstanding quality by the panel, including 2 wines in the Top100, and judged Grand Cru 'Best in Class'. Dedicated and loyal growers have supplied wonderful grapes to Painted Wolf Wines over the years and it is great to see them all represented. A mission of ours is to promote long term vineyard sustainability, and it is fantastic to be recognised for our focus on warm climate Mediterranean and other drought tolerant cultivars. Painted Wolf Wines continue to explore the roads less travelled, building South Africa's leading conservation wine company with thrilling wines and a significant ongoing investment in conservation.
Paul Clüver (2)
Paul Clüver Seven Flags Chardonnay
Paul Clüver Seven Flags Pinot Noir
Andries Burger, cellarmaster: "Our Seven Flags wines represent the ultimate expression of Paul Clüver’s Elgin terroir, both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir made from our older vineyards. This Grand Cru recognition vindicates the meticulous viticulture and astute cellar-practices that lie behind these two wines, and on behalf of the whole team in the vineyards and the cellar Paul Clüver Family Wines expresses our earnest gratitude for this recognition. We believe the wines are worth it, and are delighted that the competition’s esteemed judges concur."
Saronsberg (2)
Saronsberg Viognier
Saronsberg Grenache
Daniela Jansen, Winemaker: "Winning the Grand Cru award for two Rhone cultivars is a testament to our commitment to crafting exceptional wines. It reflects our dedication to capturing the essence of the Rhone Valley style while showcasing the unique terroir of Saronsberg."
Akkerdal
Akkerdal Semillon
Pieter Hanekom, owner: "The distinguished Hanekom Family Legacy in the Franschhoek Valley dates back to 1714 ... It is an honour, in such an all-inclusive competition where we find ourselves alongside the best wines in the Cape, to be recognised in receipt of Grand Cru, Top 100 and Double Platinum awards. Semillon was first planted in the French Huguenots’ Franschhoek Valley in 1690 and Akkerdal’s 2020, Pieter Hanekom’s maiden vintage, underwrites its terroir as evidenced in Top 100 Wines. His love and relationship with the soils, the terroir, viticulture, and knowledge of the Akkerdal’s vineyards is acknowledged in this award for handcrafted wines."
De Wet Cellars
De Wet Cellar White Muscadel
Tertius Jonck, winemaker & manager: "Winning a Grand Cru/Best in Class with our White Muscadel 2021 for two consecutive years is most certainly a special achievement for our wine making team and also shows the consistency of the tasting panel of the NWC."
De Wetshof Estate
De Wetshof Estate Lilya Rosé
Johann de Wet, CEO De Wetshof: "NWC/Top 100 has shown itself to be a forerunner on the SA wine competition scene, and to receive these accolades is a tremendous offer. Having our Lilya Rosé get top honour was a truly splendid surprise as SA is making some great rosés and for us thus to come out tops is most gratifying."
Dornier Wines
Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon
Francois Theunissen, general manager: "The assiduous devotion of Dornier’s viticultural and winemaking teams has culminated in the production of remarkable wines as is recognised in the awarding of this year’s distinguished Grand Cru Best in Class award for Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon. We are immensely proud and grateful for the homage awarded to Dornier by the panel."
Paul Wallace Wines
Paul and Nicky Wallace, proprietors: "Once again our Black Dog Malbec has showed its mettle, by following the performance of the 2018 Black Dog Malbec, which was similarly awarded Grand Cru Best in Class in the prestigious NWC competition. Layers of beautiful cool climate fruit, underpinned by a spicy core and great accessibility have seen this wine become increasingly recognized as one of South Africa’s favourite Malbec wines. We are so thrilled that the National Wine Challenge judges concur."
Rietvallei Wines
Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc
Kobus Burger, CEO & winemaker: "We feel deeply honoured and proud to receive all these awards from The National Wine Challenge 2023. It is so rewarding to achieve four Platinum which include a Grand Cru National Champion Best in Class and three Double Gold and two Double Silver. Also, most pleasing is the recognition this holds for the Robertson wine region. A big thank you for this acknowledgement by the organisers and tasting panel and also to my team, from the farm workers to management, without whom this would never have been possible."
Van Loveren Family Vineyards
Retief Reserve Cape White
Chris Crafford, winemaker: "To be recognized by the Top 100 SA Wines and awarded the Grand Cru for our 'Retief Reserve Cape White 2021' is an incredible honour. This accolade fills us with immense pride and joy. It’s a true reflection of our team’s passion and the incredible terroir of our vineyards."
The full list of winning wines alphabetically by cultivar
Bordeaux Blend Red Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2020
Bordeaux Blend White Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve
Cabernet Sauvignon Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Cabernet Franc Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2019
Cape Blend Alvi's Drift Reserve Drift Fusion 2021
Cape Blend White Van Loveren Retief Reserve Cape White 2022
Chardonnay Paul Clüver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2021
Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Chenin Blanc 2017
Fortified De Wet Cellar White Muscadel 2021
Grenache Saronsberg Grenache 2020
Malbec Paul Wallace Black Dog Malbec 2019
MCC & Sparkling Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2017
MCC & Sparkling Rosé Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé
Merlot Jordan Black Magic Merlot 2021
Mourvedre Painted Wolf Black Tip 2020
Natural Sweet Fairview La Beryl Blanc
Other Red Blend Groot Constantia Lady Of Abundance
Other Red Cultivar Painted Wolf Darius Carignan 2021
Petit Verdot Stellenbosch Vineyards Flagship Petit Verdot
Petit Syrah Fairview Petite Sirah
Pinot Noir Paul Clüver Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2018
Pinotage Alvi's Drift Verreaux Pinotage
Port (joint winner) Boplaas Cape Tawny Colheita 2007
Port (joint Winner) De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2020
Rhone Blend Red Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo SMV
Rosé De Wetshof Lilya Rosé 2023
Riesling Jordan The Real McCoy Riesling 2023
Sauvignon Blanc Land's End Cape South Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Shiraz Land's End Cape South Coast Shiraz 2020
Semillon Akkerdal Semillon 2020
Verdelho De Krans Tritonia Verdelho 2021
Viognier Saronsberg Viognier 2021
Wine of the Year awards
Red
Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2020
White
Jordan The Real McCoy Riesling 2022
Sweet
Fairview La Beryl Blanc 2022
Bubbly
Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2017
MCC Wine of the Year award
Beck Family Estates
Graham Beck Cuvée Clive
Pierre de Klerk, cellarmaster: “We’re overjoyed with this phenomenal consecutive win for the Cuvée Clive. Receiving accolades such as these at the National Wine Challenge, a highly respected wine show with an incredibly rigorous selection process. Not only does this inspire us to achieve even higher standards of excellence – it is an immense honour to share the stage with other superb South African wines”
White Wine of the Year award
Jordan Wine Estate
The Real McCoy - White Wine of the Year
Jordan Black Magic Merlot
Gary Jordan, owner: “To receive the Grand Cru ‘Best in Class’ for the Jordan Black Magic Merlot & for The Real McCoy Riesling for the third year running, as well as White Wine of the Year for The Real McCoy, is evidence of the consistent quality of fruit being grown in the vineyards at Jordan and that the cellar team are continually paying meticulous attention to detail during the fermentation and ageing of this wine. Thank you for this wonderful acknowledgement.”
For further information please contact Lisa accounts@buybetterwine.com