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 SteytlerCape 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
Second - 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