Tasting, tasting and more tasting – from berry to bottle. This, combined with meticulous attention to detail and teamwork all along, are the main components in the success for KWV stealing the show at the latest Veritas gala evening and clinching the pinnacle Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex Award among 70 double gold winners from 1 265 entries.
It was the second time KWV won this prestigious hand-crafted glass trophy, again with a red blend from the flagship The Mentors range, namely a Cape Blend composed from Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Malbec.
KWV’s remarkable success at the Oscars-like 2024 Veritas Awards showcase in the CTICC, included, like last year, being named Best Producer for more than 11 wines entered, while it also took the laurels with six Double Gold medals for brandy and three for winesin addition to the overall winner’s award The Veritas Vertex Award – named after the legendary industry role player Duimpie Bayly.
It also emerged from an interview with The Mentors winemaking guru, Izele van Blerk, that the success story behind this masterpiece has been a long-term development plan actively involving numerous role players. These included54 selected vineyards’ owners, two hands-on KWV viticulturists and Izele’s two cellar assistants.
Their previous bagging of this award was The Mentors Orchestra 2018 in 2020, a full-on Bordeaux blend, obviously without Pinotage.This unique South African ingredient dominates the latest winner with a 40% presence – a fact particularly significant for Van Blerk as Pinotage next year celebrates 100 years since its creation by Prof Abraham Perold, who worked at KWV for a period.
The Upington-born Van Blerk, who had her schooling at Paarl Gimnasium, joined KWV in 2009 after completing a BSc in Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch. She has for ten years been the team leader in this detailed project which she calls “an ongoing experiment” to innovate and create the best possible products from smaller batches of wine.
The Mentors’ boutique cellar portfolio today comprises eight wines, Perold, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Orchestra, Pinotage, Canvas, Chenin Blanc, and Grenache Blanc.
Here Van Blerk works closely with KWV’s viticultural team, led by chief viticulturist Marco Ventrella, "to understand each vineyard – to be tutored by the vines, in a sense. In the run-up to harvest, the winemaking team cover thousands of kilometres to inspect vineyards everywhere from Lutzville to Elim."
Her career at KWV started with internship before overseeing the white wine and MCC production, but steadily grew to holding the reins of The Mentors cellar, established in 2006, where the winemaking team has the freedom of pursuing innovative new varieties and blends from each harvest.
“We can pursue innovative new varieties and blends from every harvest. Each year a special limited-edition is released, which takes its cue from the vineyards of the Cape Winelands.
“Words cannot fully express the pride and honour I feel in being part of KWV, especially within The Mentors team. Winning that prestigious award for the second time carries particular significance as it pays tribute to two legends of the South African wine industry.”
Christo Pienaar, chairperson of Veritas, explains that following the five days’ judging by 88 authoritative judges, a specialist panel including the four international judges, taste all the Double Gold awarded wines, which scored 93 points or more, and then name six winners which are ranked in order of choice to identify the recipient of the Vertex Award– introduced in 2017 and taking its name from the Latin vertex, which means “highest point”.
KWV’s other two Double Gold winners this year were the similarly blended The Mentors Perold 2021 (Pinotage/Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec) and the KWV Cathedral Cellar Triptych Red Blend 2021.
Said chief winemaker Justin Corrins at the showcase event, “Our focus is always on raising the bar and delivering world-class wines and spirits.”
Van Blerk concluded, “We will savour this extraordinary achievement throughout the year, but as the next harvest draws closer, we are excited to embark on the next chapter, pushing the boundaries of innovation and exploration in winemaking."
The Mentors Perold 2020's make-up
Components: 40% Pinotage, 30% Shiraz, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Sirah, 10% Malbec
Vineyards: Swartland 70%, Stellenbosch 20%, Wellington 10%
Vintage conditions: The 2020 vintage was characterised by generally favourable conditions, good winterrainfall preceding the growing season and mild weather. Some high temperature spells resulted an early vintage finishing earlier than in recent years. The wines show great retention of freshness and flavour.
Winemaking: A blend of varieties from regions and sites that have consistently produced wines of outstanding quality and style. We set out toproduce a wine that over time would be recognised as ultra-premium, with only the best varieties, regions and sites considered. Focused on balanced structure, concentration and finesse. We apply acombination of whole-berry fermentation and gentle pump-overs to ensure every bit of flavour is captured, with Pinotage taking priority. The bunches were handpicked and sorted to ensure only the best of each variety went into the blend. After 12 months in wood, the best wines were singled out and aged for another six months in first-fill French oak barrels.
Description: This elegant Cape Blend shows layers of fruitcake, anise and cranberry with lifted perfume, floral and marzipan aromas. and a touch of cigar box and pencil shavings. On the palate the structure is restrained and focused yet supple with sweet textured tannins and a finish of lingering intensity. Stylish, with multi-layered aromas of fruit and spice followed by soft, silky tannins. Made in a modern style, its howcases the best of Pinotage's vibrant fruit characteristics and gentle tannins that blend harmoniously with the other varieties. Can be enjoyed now orcellared for eight to ten years from vintage.
Analysis: Alcohol: 14.55%, pH 3.46, Total Acidity: 6.12 g/l, Residual sugar 3.21 g/l.
For more information, contact the Veritas office at tel 021 863 1599 or email info@veritas.co.za, or visit veritas.co.za.
Photo caption:
1. Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex Trophy: Elsabe Ferreira, GM of Veritas; Justin Corrans, chief winemaker; Izele van Blerk, senior winemaker at KWV; and Christo Pienaar, chairman of Veritas.