Double Gold Awards - National Wine Challenge 2016

Friday, 6 May, 2016
Lisa Hagedorn
The largest fine-wine only competition in South Africa is also the first wine Challenge annually, both to judge and then release its results each year; great for participating vineyards wine sales. It is thrilling news that there are so many wines that have been recognised by the top-calibre judging panels this year.

Double Gold awards  is a hotly contested and it is a terrifically successful category.  It is fiercely contended and fought by a large number of wineries and a substantial fine-wine line-up.  With very credible scores ranging generally between 87 and 90+, these wines are really very fine examples of their type.  They show the most attractive characteristics of their cultivars and styles and demonstrate fine balance and excellent fruit. They can be described as compelling examples of fine South African wines.  Consumers now have access to key information that will allow them to better select their wine purchases.  With highly credible National Wine Challenge Double Gold stickers on winning bottles, buying fine quality wine has never been easier.

WHITE WINES – Double Gold

Overall, this category enjoyed a total of fifty six Double Gold victories.  This time Sauvignon Blanc lead the charge with a total of 13 gongs.  This fine performance was followed by Chenin which gained 12 gongs.  Chardonnay cracked a total of 9 nods.  Bordeaux Blends got the podium finish 6 times as did the ‘Other White Blend’ category.  Viognier is on the up too with a total of 4 victories. 

RED WINES – Double Gold

Coincidently red wines also gained an identical set of wins to white wines, claiming fifty six victories!  Bordeaux blends led the way with 14 podium spots.  Shiraz was a close second with a total of 12 winning wines.   In joint third place were Rhone blends and Cabernet both with 7 victories.  Other red blends gained Double Golds for 5 wines, Pinotage gained 4 nods, while Cape Blends gained 3 wins followed by Pinot Noir with 2 awards.  Merlot carried the red lantern, albeit a superb example, with 1 win.

ROSÉ – Double Gold

There were two delicious wines both gaining Double Gold victory.

MCC & SPARKLING WINES – Double Gold

Another strong showing of fine bubbly with three winning wines on the podium.

NATURAL SWEET, FORTIFIED & PORT – Double Gold

A fine suite of winning wines; two natural sweet wines, two fortified wines and a single port style made the rigorous grade.

ROBIN VON HOLDT, BBW CEO, reviews the success of the Double Gold category fine-wine winners for the NATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE (NWC) 2016:

‘These Double Gold sets of results are exceptionally pleasing for our first year under the NWC brand.  A raft of totally credible, frankly fantastic wines, gained this hard-to-win podium slot. Cracking the nod via a tough selection process was a tough task.  Only fine wines emerged as the victors.  We are thrilled with our sixth year of Top 100 and as thrilled with the first year results for the National Wine Challenge.  Positive support and effort is contagious and that we enjoy.  Clearly there is a lot of interest in the new approach as well as for the professional and organised way that the NWC is administered and managed.  Identifying and promoting fine SA wines flows in our blood and is a part of our DNA.  The brand is alive and has a tremendously exciting future. Our heart-felt special congratulations go to this band of special winners listed below.  Our warm thanks go to all of our supporters and vineyard entrants.’

DOUBLE GOLD AWARDS BY VINEYARD – MAJOR WINNERS:

Alvis Drift (6)
Simonsig (6)
Groot Constantia (5)
Journeys End (5)
Saronsberg (5)
Diemersdal (4)
Eikendal (4)
Painted Wolf (4)
Rustenberg (4)
Spier (4)
Ultra Liquors (4)
Vrede en Lust (4)
Bellingham (3)
Cederberg (3)
Jordan (3)
Ormonde (3)
Rooiberg (3)

VINEYARDS WERE DELIGHTED TO SHARE THEIR SUCCESS AND VICTORIES:

Alvis Drift MD Linley Schultz:

‘We were thrilled by the awards received at the National Wine Challenge.   This really is a testimony to the dedication and strength of the viticulture and winemaking teams.  There has been a lot of time, effort, skill and knowledge invested in their production and it  is very pleasing  when that quality is recognised and rewarded.’ 

Mark Norrish, Ultra Liquors Wine GM:

‘Ultra Liquors is very  particular as to which wine competitions we enter, with much depending on the pedigree of the Judging panel, and the selection criteria,  as well as a strict auditing process.
This is our 2nd year of entering our own range of wines , and we are absolutely thrilled with the 4 Double Golds that we have been awarded.  These 4 wines represent, not only  ‘superb value for money’, but they are also top quality produce, from highly prestigious and pedigreed wine farms [which have to remain Secret]’.

Eikendal Vineyards cellar master Nico Grobler:

‘Its “great dirt, in a great place.”  Double Gold went to four Eikendal reds from the 2013 vintage.  We enjoy a favourable climate, a near perfect blend of warm and cool, with the proximity of False Bay (8 kilometres) and the Helderberg Mountain lending a desired cooling effect which is perfect for berry, colour and structure development.  This is another step in the vision of achieving Icon status. Excellent Terroir blended with a dedicated team and lots of passion…the great result of Eikendal at this year’s NWC challenge/T100 comes as no surprise. We are proud of the achievement and are looking forward to future successes in the NWC/T100 challenge.’

Painted Wolf’s Jeremy Borg:

‘I am a great lovers of distinct and characterful Rhone style wines and have been working with Rhone varietals since the first vintage of Painted Wolf in 2007. We are really pleased that our persistence has paid off, receiving  gold for four of the Rhône style wines which we entered into this year’s competition.’

Bellingham Wine Marketing Director Jacques Roux:

‘The competition’s Double Gold status was awarded to The Bernard Series Small Barrel SMV 2013, the Hand-Picked Viognier 2015, the Basket Press Syrah 2014 and the Whole Bunch Roussanne 2015. The Bernard Series Bush Vine Pinotage 2014 was named a Double Silver.
Coinciding with the successful launch of a new Bellingham Homestead range of wines, the much loved label scored splendidly in the 2016 National Wine Challenge (NWC), just announced.
Goode was most impressed by the quality of the entries. “Each year we’ve seen a step up in overall quality, vintage vagaries aside. This is really encouraging. SA is a terrifically exciting wine country at the moment. This, of course, means the competition was fierce, and Bellingham’s wins are of particular note.”  Niel Groenewald Bellingham Winemaker and Brand Manager adds: ‘I am fortunate to work with world class grape producers and an outstanding cellar team. We have one mutual goal at Bellingham, crafting world class wines. These recent awards bring us one step closer to achieving that goal.’

Rooiberg winemakers André van Dyk and André Scriven:

‘The three Double Golds for two Rooiberg Chardonnays and a Red Muscadel – in addition to the Platinum and Best in Class respectively for a Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon – typifies what we strive for. Thanks to unique building blocks we can showpiece the diversity and quality from the terroir where various rivers and mountains come together.’

Journeys End Brand Development Manager Christine Andrews:

‘To have been awarded 5 double gold’s is a huge privilege. I think it is only right to attribute these awards and recognition to our winemaking and cellar team for their brilliant work.  Journey’s End sits on the slopes of the Schaapenberg, at the foot of the Hottentot Holland mountain range. Aside from being an idyllic place we also have perfect conditions to produce some top quality single vineyard and appellation wines; the combination of de-composed granite, sandy quartz and tukulu soils coupled with the cooling breeze and natural acidity from the Cape Doctor wind means that we can experiment with a number of different varietals, giving them our own Journey’s End twist. This is only the beginning of an exciting adventure for Journey’s End!’

Theo Basson, owner/CEO of Ormonde Vineyards:

‘The very unique and distinctive terroir of Ormonde has one again been showcased in these award winning wines. We appreciate  the perfect synergy of a New World attitude and an Old World appellation philosophy.’

Cederberg Cellars wine makers Tammy Turck-Nel and Alex Nel:

‘From far South in the maritime climate of Elim - to far North with vineyards with altitude in the Cederberg, just shows how two very different terroirs can produce wines of class. We set ourselves high standards every year and to achieve our goals we need to have the right attitude, passion and  dedication in the cellar. Today we stand together as a proud Cederberg team to have received 3 Double Gold Awards.’
Tammy; red wines: - ‘We are a very proud Cederberg team to have received this Double Gold award for our elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a combination of altitude vineyards, unique location with a skilful cellar team that have passion for what they do in the cellar. That is our secret.’
Alex; white wines: - ‘We could not be more excited to have received 2 Double Golds for two very special wines. Ghost Corner wine’s quality standard’s have grown every year and without the beautiful grapes from the cool maritime Elim area and the determination and hard work of our  cellar team,  Ghost Corner wines would not be where they are today.’

Karlin Nel, winemaker at Vrede en Lust:

‘What an honour to be part of one amazing team at Vrede en Lust. We are so thrilled with our 4 Double Gold wins. These awards shows our continuous passion for crafting exceptional wines and to receive a Double gold for our flagship white Bordeaux blend reaffirms these accolades. Vrede en Lust Barrique is a versatile blend and showcases the synergy between Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc with the complexity of Semillon coming through as it ages. The Semillon is planted on Nabank/Shale soil and the Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from one of our vineyards planted on Table Mountain sandstone. We are overjoyed and pleased to have such feedback.’

Rianco van Rooyen, Senior Winemaker: Orange River Cellars:

‘We are extremely well known for our quality Muscadels but what is particularly pleasing is the double Gold with a Petit Verdot led red blend from the 2013 vintage. We have been touting Petit Verdot and Shiraz along the Orange River for a while now and the hard work of our viticulturists and winemaking team are starting to pay off!’

Oldenburg’s Philip Costandius:

The outcome of the 2016 Top 100 awards is for Oldenburg another confirmation of the unique vineyard terroir at our disposal. The consistency of our Cabernet franc and the reliability of our Syrah attest to superior sites and the perfect Banghoek climate. The Double Gold for our Rhodium proves our belief in Merlot as the blend leader.

Shirley van Wyk, Marketing Manager of Boschendal:

Double Gold Winners: The Boschendal Elgin Pinot Noir & Sauvignon Blanc. ‘The Boshendal Elgin Pinot Noir grapes were sourced from one of the highest altitude vineyards in Elgin.  Winemaking intervention was minimised allowing the expressive fresh red fruit to come through, which is the hallmark of this wine.  The Boshendal Elgin Sauvignon Blanc grapes were also harvested at high altitude, from a single vineyard in Elgin, exhibiting an atypical style of South African Sauvignon Blanc, with expressive palate texture, length and age ability. Both wines reflect a combination of cutting-edge best practice whilst balancing traditional winemaking techniques to create premium wines of elegant, modern sophistication. We are delighted that Lizelle Gerber (winemaker), Stephan Joubert (viticulturalist) and our winemaking team have stood out amongst fierce competition and that their dedication and passion has been recognise.’

Calitzdorp Wynkelder:

Calitzdorp Wynkelder spog as ‘n Dubbel Goud Wenner tydens die National Wine Challenge. ‘Terwyl die skep van wyn van gehalte ons top prioriteit is, is dit ons passie om deel van Calitzdorp se geskiedenis te bewaar. ‘n Heildronk op die Verlede en die Toekoms’.

ALL OF THE DOUBLE GOLD WINNING WINES:

  • Aaldering Vineyards & Wines Pinotage Rosé  2014
  • Aaldering Vineyards & Wines Aaldering Pinotage 2012
  • Akkerdal Wine Estate TDT 2012
  • Allée Bleue Pinotage 2014
  • Allée Bleue Isabeau 2014
  • Allée Bleue L'Amour Toujours 2012
  • Allée Bleue Chenin Blanc 2015
  • Alvi's Drift Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc 2013
  • Alvi's Drift Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc  2014
  • Alvi's Drift Albertus Viljoen Red Blend 2012
  • Alvi's Drift Drift Fusion Reserve 2013
  • Alvi's Drift Thornlands MCC nv
  • Alvi's Drift CVC 2015
  • Bellingham The Bernard Series Small Barrel SMV 2013
  • Bellingham The Bernard Series Hand-Picked Viognier 2015
  • Bellingham The Bernard Series Basket Press Syrah 2014
  • Bellingham The Bernard Whole Bunch Roussanne 2015
  • Boplaas Family Vineyards Boplaas Ouma Cloete Straw Wine 2015
  • Boschendal  Boschendal Elgin Pinot Noir 2014
  • Boschendal  Boschendal Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2015
  • Boschkloof Wines Boschkloof Syrah 2014
  • Calitzdorp Cape Ruby 2015
  • Cape Point Vineyards Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh 2015
  • Cape Point Vineyards Truly Irresistible Pinotage 2015
  • Cederberg Private Cellar Ghost Corner Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2015
  • Cederberg Private Cellar Ghost Corner Bowline 2015
  • Cederberg Private Cellar Cederberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
  • Conradie Penhill Wines Penhill Saw Edge Peak 2014
  • Creation Wines Creation Sauvignon Blanc 2015
  • Creation Wines Creation Chardonnay 2015
  • Creation Wines Creation The Art of Pinot Noir 2015
  • Creation Wines Creation Viognier 2015
  • D'Aria The Soprano Shiraz 2013
  • D'Aria The Songbird 2015
  • De Wetshof Estate Limelight Pinot Noir/Chardonnay 2015
  • Deetlefs Wine Estate Deetlefs Estate Chenin Blanc 2015
  • Diemersdal 1698 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 2013
  • Diemersdal The wild horseshoe Sauvignon blanc 2015 2015
  • Diemersdal Private Collection 2014 2014
  • Diemersdal Sauvignon blanc 2016 2016
  • Eikendal Vineyards Charisma 2013
  • Eikendal Vineyards Classique 2013
  • Eikendal Vineyards Merlot 2013
  • Eikendal Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
  • Fairview Spice Route Chakalaka 2013
  • Fairview Fairview Jakkalsfontein Shiraz 2013
  • Fairview Fairview Drie Papen Fontein 2015
  • Franschhoek Franschhoek Vineyards Semillon 2014
  • Graham Beck Wines Graham Beck Brut Zero 2010
  • Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve White 2014
  • Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve Red 2013
  • Groot Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2015
  • Groot Constantia Shiraz 2014
  • Groot Constantia Pinotage 2014
  • Highlands Road Sine Cera 2013
  • Jordan The Outlier Sauvigon Blanc 2015
  • Jordan Inspector Peringuey Chenin 2015
  • Jordan The Real McCoy Riesling 2015
  • Journey's End Vineyards Cape Doctor 2009
  • Journey's End Destination Chardonnay 2014
  • Journey's End Shiraz 2011
  • Journey's End The Huntsman SMV 2014
  • Journey's End Pastors Blend 2014
  • Klein Constantia Metis Sauvignon Blanc 2014
  • Longridge Chenin Blanc 2014
  • Muratie Wine Estate Ansela van de Caab 2012
  • Nuy Winery Nuy Legacy Argilla 2013
  • Oak Valley Wines Oak Valley Chardonnay 2015 2015
  • Oak Valley Wines Oak Valley Stone & Steel Riesling 2015
  • Oldenburg Vineyards Rhodium 2013
  • Orange River Cellars Orange River Cellars , Lyra , Vega 2013
  • Orange River Cellars Orange River Cellars Red Muscadel 2015
  • Ormonde Vineyards Ormonde Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
  • Ormonde Vineyards Ondine Cabernet Franc 2013
  • Ormonde Vineyards Ondine Sauvignon Blanc 2014
  • Overgaauw Tria Corda 2013
  • Overgaauw Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
  • Painted Wolf Wines Pictus III 2011
  • Painted Wolf Wines Peloton Blanc 2014
  • Painted Wolf Wines Roussanne 2014
  • Painted Wolf Penny Viognier 2014
  • Paul Cluver Noble Late Harvest 2014
  • Paul Cluver Close Encounter Riesling 2015
  • Rhebokskloof - Sandstone Grove Chardonnay 2014
  • Rickety Bridge Winery Paulinas' Reserver Chenin Blanc 2015 2015
  • Rooiberg Red Muscadel 2014
  • Rooiberg Chardonnay Reserve 2015
  • Rooiberg Chardonnay Reserve 2014
  • Rustenberg Unwooded Chardonnay 2015
  • Rustenberg Buzzard Kloof Syrah 2013
  • Rustenberg John X Merriman 2013
  • Rustenberg Stellenbosch RM Nicholson 2014
  • Saronsberg Seismic 2013
  • Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2013
  • Saronsberg Shiraz 2013
  • Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2014
  • Saronsberg Shiraz 2014
  • Simonsig Chardonnay 2014
  • Simonsig Sunbird Sauvignon Blanc 2015
  • Simonsig Chenin Avec Chêne 2014
  • Simonsig Chenin Avec Chêne 2015
  • Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2012
  • Simonsig Chardonnay 2015
  • Spier Wines Spier Creative Block 3 2013
  • Spier Wines Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
  • Spier Wines Spier Private Collection - Woolworths Chenin Blanc 2015
  • Spier Wines Woolworths Windy Peak (Single Vineyard) Sauvignon Blanc 2015
  • Stark-Condé Stellenbosch Syrah 2014
  • Stark-Condé Three Pines Jonkershoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
  • Ultra Liquors Secret Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 527 2014
  • Ultra Liquors Secret Cellar MCC 702 2014
  • Ultra Liquors Secret Cellar SMG 303 2014
  • Ultra Liquors Top Secret Shiraz Cabernet 2014
  • uniWines Daschbosch Procavia 2012
  • uniWines Daschbosch Steen 2014
  • Vrede en Lust Vrede en Lust Viognier 2015
  • Vrede en Lust Vrede en Lust Barrique 2014
  • Vrede en Lust Vrede en Lust White Mischief 2015
  • Vrede en Lust Vrede en Lust Cotes de Savoye 2014
  • Wellington Wines La Cave Chenin Blanc 2014
  • Zevenwacht Zevenwacht The Tin Mine 2014
  • Zevenwacht Zevenwacht Gewurztraminer 2015
  • Zorgvliet Richelle 2014

Richard Kershaw MW, panel chair, concluded:

‘The actual judging is a meticulous, carefully planned and orchestrated period.  My fellow judges and I were well aware of our responsibilities.  Objective and considered judging lay at the fore of every decision.  Every wine entered is due full respect and I speak on behalf of all of the panel judges when I say that the best wines were chosen.  It was particularly pleasing to attend the awards event and to retaste all wines.  In a more relaxed and social context, winning wines showed absolutely beautifully.  What a pleasure to enjoy and all Double Gold winning wines are no exception.  Bravo!’