2006 Juliet Cullinan Wine Connoisseur's Award winners

Monday, 19 June, 2006
Juliet Cullinan Wines
The Juliet Cullinan Wine Connoisseur’s Awards identify the highlights at the Juliet Cullinan Standard Bank Wine Festivals held in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
The judges who are Cape Wine Masters are recognised by the wine industry as possibly the most professional tasting panel in South Africa. Wines are marked, poured and scored under the watchfull eye of KPGM.

Three winners are awarded in each varietal category and the winemaker of the overall top-scoring wine is given an international airticket by Juliet Cullinan Wines. Juliet Cullinan also promises to introduce him/her to Champagne Houses, Bordeaux Chateaux and Burgundy Negociants as well as the French media. In this way they can interact with the international wine fraternity and learn global winemaking tips. Juliet Cullinan Wines donates R5000 to the Cape Wine Master’s Bursary Fund.

The 2006 overall winner is Danie Steytler with his Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2003. Steytler is not new to awards, constantly winning accolades internationally. He was the overall winner of the Juliet Cullinan Wine Connoisseur’s Awards in 2004 travelling to Bordeaux on his winning air ticket. 

The Juliet Cullinan Wine Connoisseur’s Awards stimulates wine vision and styles by inspiring winemakers to alter their style or introduce a new wine to their repertoire. Steyter, who currently makes 16 different wines including white, red, natural sweet, Haneport and Brandy, is interested in researching how to make a Noble Late Harvest. Does this mean we will soon be seeing a 17th wine from this wine celebrity?

Previous winners have been:
2003 – Paul Cluver Weisser Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2000
2004 – Kaapzicht Steytler Vision 2001
2005 – Steenberg Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2003

The winners of the 2006 Wine Connoisseur’s Awards were announced at a Gala Dinner at Pigalle Resturant in Seapoint on 29 May. 

Winning wines can be tasted at the Juliet Cullinan Wine Festivals at the BMW Pavilion, Waterfront on 30 May, USaka Marine World on 30 June & Wanderer’s Club Johannesburg 26 & 27 July. 

Tickets for these festivals can be bought ahead from Juliet Cullinan Wines. A 10% discount will be offered on 10 or more tickets bought.

2006 Juliet Cullinan Wine Connoisseur's Award Winners:
Gold: 17 and over
Silver: 16 – 17
Bronze: 15 – 16 out of 20 points

The winners of the Juliet Cullinan Wine Connoisseur’s Award have been: 
* 2003 Paul Cluver Weisser Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2000 made by Andries Burger
* 2004 Kaapzicht Steytler Vision 2001 made by Danie Steytler
* 2005 Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2005 made by John Loubser
* 2006 Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2003 made by Danie Steytler

Cape Blend
First - Kaapzicht Steytler Vision 2003                          
Second - Raka Figurehead 2004                                                   
Third - Stellekaya Cape Cross 2003                                          

Merlot
First - Stellekaya Merlot 2004                                     
Second - Kaapzicht Merlot 2002                                                 
Third - Withington Merlot 2003                                    

Pinotage
First - Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2003                                  
S
econd - Major’s Hill Pinotage 2004                                            
Third - Deetlefs Pinotage 2005                                     

Shiraz
First - Laborie Jean Taillefert Shiraz 2002                      
Second -  Raka Biography Shiraz 2004                                          
Third - Kaapzicht Shiraz 2003                                                  

Red Blend
First - Backsberg Klein Babylons Toren 2003               
Second - Avontuur Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2001         
Third - Tokara Red 2003                                        

Pinot Noir
First - De Wetshof Danie de Wet Nature in Concert Pinot Noir 2004        
Second - Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2003

Cabernet Sauvignon
First - Delaire Botmaskop 2002                                              
Second - Stellekaya Cabernet Sauvignon 2004                 
Third - Dieu Donne Cabernet Sauvignon 2003                

Unusual Reds
First - Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2003                     

Port
First - De Krans Cape Tawny Port                                             
Second - Landskroon Port 2001                                                  
Third - De Krans Vintage Reserve Port 2003                  

Noble Late Harvest
First - Dieu Donne Noble Late Harvest 2005                  
Second - Jordan Mellifera Noble Late Harvest 2005

Dessert Wine
First - Kaapzicht HanepootJerepigo 2005                                 

Chardonnay
First - Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Chardonnay 2004 
Second - Dieu Donne Chardonnay 2005                                       
Third - De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay Sur Lie 2005

                                                                                              
Chenin Blanc
First - Fort Simon Chenin Blanc 2005                            
Second -  Hildenbrand Chenin Blanc 2005                         
Third - Morgenhof Chenin Blanc 2005                           

Sauvignon Blanc
First - Ernst & Co Sauvignon Blanc 2005                     
Second - Jordan Blanc Fumé 2005                                               
Third - Hoopenburg Sauvignon Blanc 2005                               

The Juliet Cullinan Wine Connoissoisseur’s Awards are audited by KPMG.

Juliet Cullinan
Tel: (011) 447-1885
Fax: (011) 219-7064
Cell: 083 255 9430

julietcullinan@tiscali.co.za