Three cellars dominated the 24th
Veritas Awards stage on October 4 when international and local judges crowned
them with a host of Double Gold and Gold medals, marking their wines with the
seal of quality distinction. They are KWV,
Spier and Nederburg.
In an extraordinary performance
KWV swept the boards winning seven Double
Gold medals and 10 Gold medals for wines and two Double Gold medals and four
Gold medals for brandy, accumulating a total of 55 medals, the most of any
producer. KWV won the Best Performer Award
Commenting on the overall
performance, KWV chief winemaker, Johann Fourie said, “The consistency of
awards across the KWV portfolio points to the strength of our fruit sourcing
and winemaking capabilities. These awards affirm that KWV is moving in the
right direction in terms of our constant evolution of wine style and quality.”
“KWV The Mentors range lead
our medal tally, the success nationally and internationally is mirrored in the
continual stylistic evolution of the wines and the overall significance of
terroir in our winemaking approach. These wines are a good example of an
experimental and innovative approach to winemaking.”
The nine Double Gold winners
for KWV were the Laborie Blanc de Blanc MCC 2010, KWV The Mentors Sauvignon
Blanc/Sémillon 2009, KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc 2012, KWV The Mentors
Petit Verdot 2011, KWV Abraham Perold Tributum 2011, KWV White Muscadel Jerepigo
1968, KWV Reserve Port Limited Edition 672 1929, KWV Alambic 15 Year Brandy
Limited Release and the KWV 12 Year Barrel Select Brandy.
“We’ve sourced fruit from throughout the
Western Cape, focusing on those vineyards that produce outstanding quality and
reflect regionality. The resulting wines show greater fruit purity, better
structure, elegance and finesse. This is what KWV is all about; capturing and
sharing special parcels that showcase cutting edge winemaking techniques and
innovation,” said Fourie.
Spier near Stellenbosch also cemented its reputation as
world class cellar raking in a host of medals. Spier’s seven Double Gold
achievers were the Spier Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2009, Spier Creative
Block 5 (Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Malbec/Petit Verdot) 2011,
Savanna Naledi Chardonnay 2012, Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2012, Spier 21 Gables
Chenin Blanc 2013, Spier Private Collection Chardonnay 2013 and Spier 21 Gables
Sauvignon Blanc 2014.
Spier cellar master Frans Smit
is frank, “Carefully selected blocks from specific terroirs and the least
amount of handling the fruit during the winemaking process is what Spier wines
are all about.”
From Paarl, Nederburg claimed half a dozen Double
Gold medals with the Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc NLH 2003,
Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc NLH 2006, Nederburg Private Bin
R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Nederburg Private Bin R181 Merlot 2009 and
Nederburg Heritage Heroes The Young Airhawk Sauvignon Blanc 2013. Nederburg Private
Reserve Port 1964 won Double Gold in the Museum Class.
“Technically accomplished
wines, yet a pleasure to drink. That is what we strive for,” said Razvan
Macici, Nederburg cellar master. “That and careful attention to detail from the
soil to the glass!”
Anura, Graham Beck Wines and Simonsig also walked off with two Double Gold medals each, as well
as some Gold medals. Anura won Double Gold for the Anura Sauvignon Blanc
Reserve 2013, as well as the Anura Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2009. Graham Beck’s Double
Gold winners were the Graham Beck Pheasants’ Run Sauvignon Blanc 2014 and the
Graham Beck The Ridge Syrah and Simonsig impressed with their Simonsig Chenin
Blanc 2014 and the Simonsig Tiara 2011, both winning Double Gold medals.
In the category for Best
Performer by Entry, Flagstone took
the honours with less than 10 wines entered. KWV was voted the best performer in the category with more than 10
wines.
BEST
BRANDIES
SA brandy producers of note raked in five Double Gold
and 10 Gold medals in total. KWV reigned
in this category with two Double Gold (for the KWV 12 Year Barrel Select Brandy
and the KWV Alambic 15 Year Brandy Limited Release), as well as another four Gold
medals.
Other winners included Oude Meester and Van Ryn,
each winning one Double Gold and two Gold awards. Elsenburg Agricultural College, entering for the first time, also
earned a Double Gold medal.
“KWV’s craftsmanship in brandy is being recognised as
a credible and formidable competitor to French Cognac. Quite simply, KWV is the
leader, nationally and internationally, in wine and spirit excellence,”
commented Pieter de Bod, Chief Distiller at KWV, on their win.
Visit www.veritas.co.za for more information or contact the Veritas office at
021 863 1599, email admin@veritas.co.za.
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and join our Google+ circle.