A few weeks ago, we wrote about the results of the Trophy Wine show, sponsored by Investec
and on August 24th, we were able to taste some of the winning wines (Trophy winners, Gold and Silver) at the Westin hotel
We were keen to sample the Trophy wines which were available to taste and to chat to the representatives of the farms
The tasting was open to the public
So good to see the team that arranges the tastings, Outsorceress Marketing led by Janice Fridjhon
It has been a long gap
The tasting was well attended and attracted a good crowd of buyers and enthusiasts
Piekenierskloof won a Silver with their Bergendal 2021 Old Vine Chenin Blanc,
so complex and mellow, perfumed vanilla nose with stone fruit,
grown on soil that does not need vines to be grafted onto Phylloxera resistant rootstocks
Old Road Wine had won the Best Semillon Trophy for their 2018 Grand-Mère Semillon,
an absolutely classic expression of the heights the Semillon can reach in the Cape,
with superb depth of complex flavours, crisp acidity of limes, ripe pear, candied citrus, spice, minerality
with soft chalky tannins and then golden oak on the long end. From old vines planted in 1936
Morgenster Lourens River Valley 2016 being poured for One&Only Head Sommelier Luvo Ntezo
Morgenster revealed their rather elegant new labels at the tasting
Deon Oliver enjoying the evening
Colin Frith and his Sunday Times Trophy for the Best Sauvignon Blanc: 2021 Trade Winds Sauvignon Blanc
Murray Barlow of Rustenberg was awarded a Silver for the 2020 Rustenberg Stellenbosch Merlot
The wine is a classic Cape Merlot with a lovely intense nose of rich berry fruit which follows through on the palate,
with finesse and well supported by good French oak, no mint, no faults
Brother and sister Paul Cluver and Liesl Cluver Rust celebrating with the Miele Trophy
for the best Chardonnay on show, the 2020 Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay
which also won the Investec Trophy for the best White Wine Overall
It is also one of Lynne’s all-time favourite Chardonnays; wild fermented, classy and elegant
with lovely crisp citrus and stone fruit in layers, accessible with subtle oak support. So good with food
Benguela Cove Assistant Winemaker Michelle Waldeck
was showing their 2018 Joie de Vivre Cap Classique Vintage Brut which was awarded a silver
Bon Courage Cap Classiques have jointly and deservedly won many awards
They won the Sowetan Trophy for the Best Cap Classique
with their 2013 Jacques Bruère Brut Reserve Vintage Cap Classique and it is well deserved
the wine is a blend of Chardonnay/Pinot Noir and is so full and layered, has kept its crisp mousse
and lingers on the intense palate, a triumph
Winemaker Philip Viljoen and Michelle Elford, Bon Courage National Sales and Marketing Manager
Shelley Sandell, owner of Tierhoek in Piekenierskloof was showing her old vines 2021 Chenin Blanc
which won a Silver with 92 points. Not long ago, this score would have earned a Trophy!
Buitenverwachting cellarmaster Brad Paton had his excellent '1769'
Noble Late Harvest Muscat de Frontignan 2020 vintage, from unirrigated vines planted in 2003
In our opinion this is one of the very best Constantia muscat wines, layers of rich honey,
spiced ripe and cooked apple, apricot, melon and almond, with perfume on the nose
The honey sweetness is well balanced with good crisp acidity. 5 stars in Platter, it scored a silver
Heinrich Bothman of De Wetshof. The elegant Finesse Chardonnay scored a silver
Winemakers Morné Vrey of Delaire Graff and Lukas Wentzel of Groote Post
Nicky Wallace and LRJ chatting about Elgin
Tom Orpen talks about Warwick wines
The First Lady Pinotage won the Trophy for the best Pinotage
It is very approachable, floral on the nose, lighter in style than many,
showing more Pinot character and very easy to drink and enjoy
Marcho Benjamin, assistant winemaker at MAN Vintners and marketing man AJ Nel,
who handles the marketing for MAN and Lievland
MAN won the Investec Trophy for the Discovery of the show with their 2020 Skaapveld Shiraz
Delicious plums and cassis, rounded on the palate with some licorice notes and spice
100% of the wine was matured in older American oak barrels for 12 months. Very good value too
Lievland scored a Gold for the 2021 Old Vine Chenin Blanc
Cellarmaster Johan Jordaan talks about Spier wines who have had a stellar year
They were awarded three trophies, the Investec Trophy for Best Merlot’ for the Spier Woolworths Signature Series Merlot 2018
the Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc which went to the Spier Woolworths Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2020
and the coveted top Trophy for the ‘Most Successful Producer Overall’
This is the second time they have received both of the last two trophies
Paul, Nicky and Bobby Wallace. Bobby has joined his father as a winemaker at Paul Wallace Wines
Jeremy Borg of Painted Wolf wines and Nicky Wallace
Jeremy Borg and his Painted Wolf wines. Jeremy told us that containers for shipping are very scarce;
he has good orders to go overseas but logistics are a nightmare. Can anyone help?
All our stories can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right
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