Copeland Wines, launched earlier this year by owner and winemaker Matthew Copeland, made an impressive debut. The Copeland Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 was awarded 96 points, equalling the score of the Trophy winner.
Highly regarded sommelier Armand Righard commented: “A few categories were incredibly tight and it was difficult to choose a winner, which made it very exciting.” The Cabernet Sauvignon category was certainly one of the most hotly contested, with only five wines receiving Gold Medals - an indication of the exceptionally high standard of judging. This bold wine is no stranger to accolades, having also recently been awarded Gold at the Cabernet Sauvignon Challenge, where it competed against some of South Africa’s most established Cabernet Sauvignons.
Another Copeland Reserve wine to shine was the Copeland Reserve Chardonnay 2025, which received an impressive 95 points, just one point shy of the Trophy score. It was one of only four wines in this highly contested category to receive a Gold medal. Vibrant and lightly oaked, this barrel-matured Chardonnay was bottled in January and promises to develop beautifully over the coming months and years.
The Copeland Reserve Merlot 2023, described as a “house favourite”, also performed strongly, receiving 90 points and a Silver medal.
The Copeland Lifestyle wines all received Bronze medals, with the Chenin Blanc, Rosé, Merlot and Shiraz each scoring in the upper 80s. With every Copeland wine entered receiving a medal, the results demonstrate impressive consistency and quality across the range and at various price points.
The wines were evaluated by an independent panel of judges chaired by Natalie Collard, director of Wine of the Month Club. The judging panel represented a broad cross-section of the wine industry, including fine-wine buyers, sommeliers, journalists, wine educators and winemakers.
For further information, please contact Matthew Copeland at matthewcopeland101@gmail.com or visit www.copelandwines.co.za.