The estate, which belongs to the Jordan
family, boasts three national winners, one of the Top 5 Estate Wines and also
the Novare Trophy for SA Terroir Top Wine Estate. In addition, the Novare
Trophy for SA Terroir Top Wine Area has been awarded to Stellenbosch Kloof for
the second time in three years, thanks mainly to the contributions of Jordan
and Neethlingshof.
Jordan’s three national winners are for the Top Chenin Blanc (the Jordan Chenin Blanc 2013), the Top Sauvignon Blanc (the Jordan Sauvignon Blanc 2013) and the Top White Blend (the Jordan Chameleon 2013). The latter was also selected as one of the Top 5 Estate Wines. In addition to the three national winners, the estate has also produced two other winners in the Stellenbosch district.
Neethlingshof Estate in the Stellenbosch
Kloof area was awarded two national awards for the Top Natural Sweet Wine (for
the Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest 2013) and the Top Gewurztraminer
(awarded to the Neethlingshof Gewurztraminer 2013).
The Wellington district also
performed well with three national winners, the Top Pinotage (awarded to the
Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Pinotage 2012), the Top Petit Verdot (going to the
Signatures of Doolhof Petit Verdot 2009) and the Top Merlot (awarded to the
Welbedacht Barrique Select Merlot 2005).
And this year, for only the second
time in nine years, a national winner for Pinot Noir has been selected. The
entry came from a new entrant from Franschhoek, the La Chaumiere Pinot Noir
2012. Franschhoek also produced another national winner, the Top Rosé, for the
Allée Bleue Starlette Shiraz Rosé 2013. The Simonsberg-Paarl ward also boasts
two national winners, for the Top Chardonnay (awarded to Vrede en Lust
Marguerite 2012) and the Top Cabernet Sauvignon (awarded to the Anura Cabernet
Sauvignon Reserve 2010).
The other 2014 National Winners are
the Oak Valley Blend 2008 (red blend from Elgin), Rainbow’s End Cabernet Franc
2012 (Banghoek), Bergsig Riesling 2013 (Breedekloof), Nuy White Muscadel 2006
(Worcester), De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2011 (port from Calitzdorp), Bon
Courage Jacques Bruere Blanc de Blanc 2009 (sparkling wine from Robertson),
Wildekrans Shiraz Barrel Selection Reserve 2012 (Bot River) and Ghost Corner
Semillon 2012 (Elim).
South Africa’s Top 5 Estate Wines were selected according to the five estate wines which received the highest average marks. The 2014 Novare SA Terroir Top 5 Estate Wines are the Bergsig Riesling 2013, Bon Courage Jacques Bruere Blanc de Blanc 2009, Jordan Chameleon 2013, Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest 2013 and Wildekrans Shiraz Barrel Selection 2012.
”This passion to combine your soil
and climate with dedicated team work and thus express a true identity in each
drop, deserves recognition. Terroir is a key word which has its rightful place
around the world for those who fully embrace nature to produce the best,” says
Marius Labuschagne, project leader of the Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards.
Novare has been involved since the
launch of the competition. “After nine years sponsoring this prestigious wine
event, we are proud to be part of a wine competition which grows stronger every
year and makes a contribution to our country’s wine industry to encourage
creativity and quality. This year Novare also sponsors the sixth bursary for a
student at Elsenburg Agricultural College to contribute to expert skills and
transformation,” says Marina van Til, head of marketing at Novare.
The 2014 judges were Duimpie Bayly,
Karen Glanfield, Neil Ellis, Andrea Freeborough, Carmen Stevens, Samarie Smith
and David Biggs. The results are monitored by Novare’s head of investments,
chartered accountant Pierre Groenewald. For the full results in all areas,
visit www.terroirwineawards.co.za.