Jangling medals

While Europe is struggling to believe that summer has arrived with unseasonal snow falls and low temperatures still being felt, the Cape is already having its fair share of misty mornings and chilly nights where the thermometer is registering single digits.

Having just spent four weeks judging variously at the International Wine Challenge, Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) – both in London – and finally Concours Mondial, which was held in the charming city of Bratislava, Slovakia, it’s a pleasure to be back in the cool Cape.

But it was also a rare treat to field positive comments and observations from fellow wine judges about South African wines. Even the usual whipping boys of Pinotage and ‘green’ Cabernet Sauvignon were hardly mentioned. What the judging cognoscenti had to say was that Pinotage was providing real drinking pleasure with no mention of tar, rusty nails or burned rubber being made. When ‘that typically green South African Cabernet character’ came up in conversation it was almost with nostalgia… “Because winemakers have really got to grips with the ripeness and virus issues and it’s not nearly so easy to spot South African wines in a lineup of reds any more!” one Master of Wine said. There is genuine respect for the strides local winemakers have taken in the past few years and an appreciation for the tangible jump in quality. Chenin Blanc and white blends really excite those in the wine game in the UK while the toning down of the overtly vegetal nature of Sauvignon Blanc came in for praise too.

It was also obvious on the final day of assessment at the Decanter World Wine Awards when we sat in judgement of all the South African wines awarded gold medals that Shiraz is still a category which excites winemakers. It was the largest single chunk of entries vying for the Rhône variety trophy – with nine wines fighting it out. De Trafford got the silverware but it was an extremely close-run thing!

Interesting to note that Shiraz not only dominated the ratings at Decanter but at Concours Mondial as well. Both Grand Gold medals and 10 of the 24 Gold medals South African won in that competition went to Shiraz.

The awards season floodgates have opened with the highly anticipated Decanter results announced at the London Wine Trade Fair this week and Concours Mondial having released theirs on May 17. South Africa improved on last year’s DWWA performance when its wines were awarded 11 regional trophies and 15 gold medals by claiming 14 regional trophies and 27 gold medals. International trophies – such as the two won last year by Bellingham’s Bernard Series Bush Vine Pinotage 2010 (Best Red Single Varietal over £10) and Jordan’s Nine Yards Chardonnay 2010 (Best Chardonnay over £10) will be announced later in the year at the gala awards ceremony.

At the start of the 10th staging of the DWWA in London in mid-April Decanter publishing director Sarah Kemp said she was staggered that once again there had been a significant jump in the number of entries received – well in excess of 14 000 in 2013.

The South African trophy winners were: Boschendal Reserve Collection Shiraz 2011, Cape Point Vineyards Isleidh 2012, Constantia Glen 3 2009, David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2012, De Trafford Syrah 393 2010, DeMorgenzon Maestro 2012, Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest Bergkelder Selection 2011, Hidden Valley Hidden Secret 2010, KWV Cathedral Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2012, KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2010, KWV The Mentors Chardonnay 2012, Nederburg Private Bin Eminence Noble Late Harvest Muscadel 2009, Oak Valley Chardonnay 2011 and Paul Cluver Gewurztraminer 2012.

Gold medals went to: Andreas Shiraz 2010, Beyerskloof Faith 2009, Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2009 , Bouchard Finlayson Tete de Cuvee Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2010, Cirrus Syrah 2010, Constantia Glen 2 2011, Delaire-Graff Botmaskop 2009, Hartenberg Shiraz 2009, Jordan Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2011, Jordan Cobblers Hill 2009, Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2011, Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2007, KWV Classic Cape Tawny NV, KWV The Mentors Grenache Blanc 2011, KWV The Mentors Shiraz 2011, Lomond Cat’s Tail Syrah 2011, Lourensford Noble Late Harvest 2009, Nico van der Merwe Syrah 2007, Plaisir de Merle Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Rustenburg Buzzard Kloof Syrah 2010, Rustenburg Straw Wine 2011, Saronsberg Shiraz 2011, Spier Creative Block 3 2010, Sumaridge Chardonnay 2010, Uitkyk Carlonet Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Wildekrans Pinotage Barrel Select Reserve 2010, Zonnebloem Laureat 2010.

The Concours Mondial results were as follows: KWV Mentors Shiraz 2011, Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2011 both won Grand Gold medals.

Gold went to the following: Almenkerk Syrah 2010, Alvi’s Drift CVC 2011, Asara Shiraz 2010, Cathedral Cellar Triptych 2011, Cirrus Syrah 2010, Escapades Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Malbec 2011, Escapades Semillon 2012, Fleur du Cap Cabernet Sauvignon unfiltered 2010, Franschhoek Femme de Statue Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Gabrielskloof Shiraz 2010, Kasteelberg Shiraz 2011, KWV Classic Cape Tawny, KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2011, KWV The Mentors Pinotage 2011, La Motte Shiraz 2010, Laborie Jean Taillefert 2011, Rustenburg Buzzard Kloof Syrah 2010, Saronsberg Provenance Rooi 2010, Saronsberg Full Circle 2010, Simonsig Tiara 2009, Stellenzicht Golden Triangle Pinotage 2011, Stellenzicht Golden Triangle Shiraz 2009, Doolhof The Minotaur 2009, Whalehaven Pinot Noir 2012.

Well done to all these producers. For full medal results see http://www.decanter.com/dwwa/2013/ and http://www.concoursmondial.com/resultats.html

– Fiona McDonald