We’re spilling the results of The Trophy Wine Show, a guide to good quality local wines
The Trophy Wine Show is, and has always been, a talent scout discovering, through the quality of what is on the tasting bench, new producers, and identifying where new investments have led to massive improvements in wine quality. This isn’t always what consumers have come to expect: sometimes it is the long established and not particularly fashionable wineries which emerge victorious.
640 wines were judged at the 2024 Trophy Wine Show. 286 won a bronze medal, 125 silver and 32 won gold. There were 19 trophy winning wines shared between 15 producers. This year for the first time a wine entered in the organic wine category won a gold medal, and thus secured the first ever Organic Wine Trophy.
This year’s South African panel comprised Narina Cloete, Heidi Duminy, Eben February, Gynore Hendricks, Mandla Patson Mathonsi, James Pietersen and François Rautenbach.
The associate judges, all graduates of the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy, were Clare Anderson, Kyle Davids, Lauren Segers, Matthew Draper and Kenny Nassen. They are provided with the opportunity of working in a rigorous show-judging environment and learning from the international and local tasters to whom they are seconded. Associate judges work in the tasting room with the main panel and are invited to participate in the discussion, however their scores are not included in the final tally.
Some gems from the international judges:
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (USA), returning to judge after almost 10 years: “I can see a dramatic upward shift in quality – in winemaking (more sensitive use of oak, and extraction, with finesse) and also in the viticulture.”
Fongyee Walker MW (China), also back after 9 years: In China, they feel shiraz is a world-class grape…I think there’s a great opportunity for South Africa to push its shiraz in China, given that people respect the variety, and know and love it.”
Claire Blackler MW (UK): “I particularly liked the unwooded sauvignon blancs. I loved the purity, the brightness and the freshness of the samples we tasted.”
The Trophy and Gold medal winners:
Investec Trophy for Most Successful Producer Overall
KWV
Business Day Trophy for Best Shiraz
Investec Trophy for Discovery of the Show – Best Value Gold Medallist
Investec Trophy for Best Red Wine Overall
Nederburg The Winemasters Shiraz 2022
Trophy for Best Chardonnay
Investec International Judges’ Trophy
Vinolok Trophy for Best Premium Wine
Investec Trophy for Best White Wine Overall
Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2022
Investec Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Trophy for Best Museum Class Cabernet Sauvignon
Bosman Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc
KWV The Mentors Chenin Blanc 2022
Riedel Trophy for Best Bordeaux-Style Red Blend
Zevenwacht Z Reserve Collection 2021
Trophy for Best Other Red Blend
KWV The Mentors Canvas 2020
Sowetan Trophy for Best Cap Classique
Pongrácz Méthode Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs NV
Trophy for Best Museum Class Cap Classique
Trophy for Best Museum Class Wine Overall
JC Le Roux Méthode Cap Classique Scintilla Vintage Reserve 2015
Sunday Times Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc
Trophy for Best Organic Wine
Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Wooded)
Trophy for Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc
Thelema Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2015 (Unwooded)
Trophy for Best Pinotage
Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Promenade Pinotage 2022
Investec Trophy for Best Semillon
Thor Lara Semillon 2023
Trophy for Best Museum Class Semillon
Bloemendal Semillon 2017
Financial Mail Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend
Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh 2022
Trophy for Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend
Bloemendal Kanonberg 2018
Trophy for Best Other White Blend
Schenkfontein Stofjas 2021
Investec Trophy for Best Dessert Wine
Nederburg The Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2023
Tony Mossop Trophy for Best Cape Port
Delaire Graff Cape Vintage 2021
Gold Medal Winners
Blaauwklippen Chardonnay 2023
Bon Courage Inkará Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2006
Buitenverwachting ‘1769’ 2021 (Noble Late Harvest)
Cederberg Shiraz 2020
Chamonix Premier White Reserve 2022 (Blend)
De Krans Tritonia Calitzdorp Blend 2022 (Red)
Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2023
Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cap Classique 2017
KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Unwooded)
Leeuwenkuil Heritage Chenin Blanc 2020
Lothian of Elgin Chardonnay 2021
Zevenwacht Z Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2023
All results, including silver (90 to 94/100) and bronze medallists (85 – 89/100) are listed on the website: https://www.trophywineshow.co.za/winners-and-results/
