.: Christian Eedes' Prescient Chardonnay Awards 2015

Financial organisation Prescient Limited is the new sponsor of these Chardonnay Awards run by Winemag.co.za. They promise to be around for many years to come. 60 top Chardonnays are invited to enter. This is not a top 10 competition, but a certificate is given to every Chardonnay (29 of them) entered that scored 90 points & over (out of 100). We were able to taste all the wines that scored over 92 at the awards ceremony at Momo gallery in Buitengracht this week. There are some fire crackers. Public tastings are to be held in Johannesburg on 4th November at 18h00 at the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel and in Cape Town on 11th November at 18h00 at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Waterfront Tickets cost R225 and are available from Winemag.co.za.

To quote Christian Eedes: "While other bigger tastings can have a useful talent spotting function, the intention here is very much to do good by what might be called the seeded players, the finite line-up in particular intended to avoid the perils of palate fatigue. The judging panel was chaired by myself and further consisted of two trusted colleagues, namely Roland Peens and James Pietersen, both of Wine Cellar, a Cape Town firm which brokers and cellars fine wine. We tasted blind, scoring done according to the 100-point system."

Lynne chatting to Mike Ratcliffe of Warwick

Bubbly for the evening was the Graham Beck Blanc de Blanc MCC

Some controversial art in the cavernous and rather echoey gallery

Entertainment by a local band

Lots of discussion while waiting for the award announcements

Christian Eedes with Lara Shargey and Christian Coetzee of Uva Mira and a friend

Jacqueline Lahoud of Winemag.co.za gets things underway

Taking notes on the winning formula

Craig Mockford, CEO of the Prescient unit trust management company talks about their enthusiasm for the competition and their love for wine

Two wine writers having fun: Anel Grobler and Cathy Marston

Christian begins the announcements

Wines scoring 90 points: Ataraxia 2013; Bartinney 2014; Buitenverwachting 2014; DeMorgenzon Reserve 2014; Mulderbosch 2014; Rustenberg Five Soldiers 2013

Wines scoring 91 points: Chamonix 2014; Iona Elgin 2014; Môreson Mercator Premium 2014; Radford Dale 2013; Vriesenhof 2014; Warwick White Lady 2014

Wiines scoring 92 points: Julien Schaal Evidence 2014; Hamilton Russell Vineyards 2014; Hartenberg 2013; Newton Johnson Southend 2014; Oak Valley Elgin 2014; Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch 2014; Vergelegen Reserve 2014