The eagerly awaited winning wines from South Africa’s Top 100
Wine Challenge were announced last night together with the launch
of the new edition book Top 100 SA Wines and Wine Lists 2012. The country’s
greatest winemakers, vineyard representatives and owners, together with
their partners, celebrated in customary style at Rodwell House in St. James,
with a jazz band, canapés, awards ceremony and then the unveiling and
tasting of the winning Top 100 wines.
As stated by Lynne Sherriff MW, Chairman, Masters of Wine Institute: “The decision to draw upon the
experience and knowledge of internationally renowned Masters of Wine as judges is a clear
commitment to rigour and quality.”
From overall entries of a little under 400 of South Africa’s best wines, the 100 winning wines
included 4 MCC bubblies, 38 white wines, 51 red wines, 2 natural sweets and 4 port style wines.
Tim Atkin MW judging chairman quotes: “This is one of the best organised events I have been involved
with, a first class affair. The quality of the wines entered this year made the judges’ task
exceptionally difficult. I am proud of the wines that came through the rigours of the judging process.”
Higgo Jacobs, tasting director, reflects: “The quality of entered wines was of the highest level.
The Thursday shootout was between 60 possible worthy winners, to potentially join the already
passed ‘definite’ wines in completing the Top 100 list. Starting at 8AM, marginal wines
were retasted up to three times each (and a minimum of twice), by as many as three panels.
By 4PM it was not over. Compare that to last year’s half-day playoff. Without any doubt this
was a remarkably difficult task.”
Gary Jordan of highly regarded Jordan Wine Estate notes: “We are delighted to top the charts
this year with a total of five of our wines selected as Top 100 winners. The investment in our
vineyards and care and attention to both vineyard and cellar practices is clearly paying dividends
when respected international judges award wines across our entire range. Two Best Value awards
were a further endorsement.”
Dewaldt Heyns from acclaimed Saronsberg comments: “For us it’s always about quality.
Top 100 SA Wines applies rigorous judging methodology and uses world class judges and this
approach appeals to us. The recognition we have gained with four winning wines plus two Best Value
awards this year is a fantastic endorsement of our terroir, our wine styles and of the efforts
of the Saronsberg team in our relentless pursuit of quality.”
David Niewoudt from renowned Cederberg Private Cellar states: “The power of the Top 100 SA Wine
brand and its global footprint appeals to our commitment and focus on effectively distributing our
fine wines worldwide. With four winning wines this year, our vineyard sites and viticulture practices
speak for themselves. We are thrilled that our wine quality is so consistently highly regarded
by top international judges.”
Jasper Raats from top Longridge Wine Estate shares: “The team is ecstatic with receiving three
Top 100 awards as well as two Best Value awards this year. This recognition endorses our top quality
focus and is tremendous for our brand and consumer appeal. We are especially happy that our
Chardonnay is a repeat winner! Top 100’s year-long promotion strategy is a unique and compelling
feature that suits our market focus and is the reason we take part in it.”
Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar records: “The production team is over the moon regarding the results.
Having three wines included in the Top 100 is a fantastic achievement of which we are all really proud.
The bonus of also winning three Best Value awards proves that drinking great wines does not mean
having to break the bank.”
Overall consistency standings for Top 100 winning vineyards over the 2011 and 2012 Challenges put
Cederberg and Saronsberg as joint winners at nine wines each, Jordan with seven winning wines, followed
by Oldenburg and Simonsig with five winning wines each.
A new feature this year was the introduction of innovative Best Value Awards. These were awarded to
Top 100 winning wines with a typical retail price of ≤ R120 for red wines and ≤ R100 for white wines.
There were a total of 29 Best Value awards granted, fantastic news for consumers in tough times.
Robin von Holdt adds: “It is both pleasing and encouraging to see our dynamic wine industry positively
partnering with Top 100 SA Wines. We jointly seek to promote finest SA wines both in SA and abroad.
Stalwarts such as Allée Bleue, Anwilka, Bon Courage, Boschendal, Bosman, Cape Point, Diemersdal,
Groot Constantia, Hamilton Russell, Ken Forrester, Klein Constantia, La Motte, L’Avenir, Le Riche,
Miles Mossop, Mulderbosch, Neethlingshof, Oldenburg, Overgaauw, Paul Cluver, Raats, Rickety Bridge,
Rustenburg, Saxenburg, Simonsig, Starke Condé, Sumaridge, Teddy Hall, The Bernard Series, Tokara,
Vondeling and many others, are indicative of the support that we so greatly value from our
talented wine makers. New blood is always a profound and welcome measure. It is therefore both
exciting and relevant to see the likes of Avontuur, Boplaas, Bredell’s, Calitzdorp, Dalla Cia,
Doolhof, Driehoek, Eenzaamheid, Eikendal, Elgin Heights, Elgin Vintners, Ernie Els, Glenwood,
Jean Daneel, Kanu, Landau, Lomond, Louis, Mount Sutherland, Nelson, Nitida, Rietvallei, Shannon,
Swartland, The High Road, Tierhoek, Van Loveren, Vilafonté, Warwick, Wildekrans and others,
stake their place in the sun with us too.”
Positive feedback from vineyards leaves the Top 100 team delighted with the success of the 2012
Challenge and the emerging power of their consumer friendly ‘demyth the bunk’ slogan. The brand is
already recognised as a leading consumer label both in SA and abroad. It enjoys a massive Google
rating, a high-growth digital footprint with tens of thousands of airwaves followers. This is all
very good news for winning vineyards, as they engage in the battle to win and to grow their own
recognition, distribution, sales and global market share.
The 2012 Top 100 SA Wines and Wine lists book is now available to purchase directly from winning
vineyards, restaurants and from www.top100sawines.com. The book provides consistent, useful,
accurate information on each winning wine and producer. Each winning wine is profiled on a two
page spread with producer and wine details and also incisive comments from the judges and winemaker.
The 287 pages also contain industry stats and information, feature articles, full colour maps
and imagery. This year’s publication includes details on Top 100 restaurants wine-list winners,
with contact details and QR links for easy booking.
Visitvineyards.com – wine magazine quotes: “An excellent introduction, thorough and rigorous,
to the best wines in South Africa, and highly recommended at the price.”
Top 100 SA Wines is pleased to now offer Public Tasting Festivals of winning wines as follows:
Thursday 10th May at One&Only, VA Waterfront, CT. Doors open at 17h30
Thursday 17th May at Hyatt Regency in Rosebank, JHB. Doors open at 17h30
These offer the opportunity to taste the 100 winning wines in style and comfort with attendant wine makers.
To purchase tickets visit www.webtickets.co.za Tickets are limited so do please book early.
Alphabetically listed Top 100 winning wines from the 2012 Challenge:
| Wine Name |
Vintage
|
Colour |
Category |
| Allée Bleue Isabeau |
2011
|
White |
Other White Blends |
| Allée Bleue Pinotage |
2009
|
Red |
Pinotage |
| Alvi’s Drift AD Chardonnay |
2011
|
White |
Chardonnay |
| Alvi’s Drift AD CVC |
2011
|
White |
Other White Blends |
| Alvi’s Drift Viognier |
2011
|
White |
Other White Cultivars |
| Anwilka |
2009
|
Red |
Other Red Blends |
| Avontuur Estate Dominion Royale Shiraz Reserve |
2009
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Bon Courage Cap Classique Jacques Bruere Brut Res |
2007
|
White |
MCC |
| Boplaas Cape Tawny Reserve Port |
1997
|
Red |
Port |
| Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port |
2009
|
Red |
Port |
| Boschendal Grande Cuvee Brut |
2007
|
White |
MCC |
| Bosman Family Vineyards Erfenis |
2010
|
Red |
Other Red Blends |
| Bosman Family Vineyards Optenhorst |
2010
|
White |
Chenin Blanc |
| Calitzdorp Cellar Cape Ruby |
2010
|
Red |
Port |
| Calitzdorp Cellar Touriga Nacional |
2010
|
Red |
Other Red Cultivars |
| Cape Point Sauvignon Blanc Reserve |
2010
|
White |
Sauvignon Blanc |
| Capelands Estate Redstone |
2010
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Cederberg Cabernet Sauvignon |
2009
|
Red |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon |
2009
|
Red |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Cederberg Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc |
2011
|
White |
Sauvignon Blanc |
| Cederberg Shiraz |
2009
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Christina van Loveren Shiraz 2010 |
2010
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Dalla Cia Giorgio |
2007
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Diemersdal MM Louw Sauvignon Blanc |
2011
|
White |
Sauvignon Blanc |
| Doolhof Wine Estate Signature Malbec |
2010
|
Red |
Other Red Cultivars |
| Driehoek Shiraz |
2010
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Eenzaamheid Chenin Blanc |
2011
|
White |
Chenin Blanc |
| Eikendal Cabernet Sauvignon |
2009
|
Red |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Elgin Heights Shiraz |
2010
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Elgin Vintners Shiraz |
2008
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Ernie Els Big Easy |
2010
|
Red |
Other Red Blends |
| Ernie Els Proprietors Syrah |
2010
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Ernie Els Signature |
2008
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Glenwood Chardonnay Vigneron’s Selection |
2010
|
White |
Chardonnay |
| Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve Red |
2009
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve White |
2010
|
White |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay |
2011
|
White |
Chardonnay |
| Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot noir |
2010
|
Red |
Pinot Noir |
| Jean Daneel Chenin Blanc |
2010
|
White |
Chenin Blanc |
| Jordan Chardonnay |
2010
|
White |
Chardonnay |
| Jordan Chenin Blanc |
2011
|
White |
Chenin Blanc |
| Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay |
2010
|
White |
Chardonnay |
| Jordan The Outlier Sauvignon Blanc |
2010
|
White |
Sauvignon Blanc |
| Jordan The Real McCoy Riesling |
2010
|
White |
Other White Cultivars |
| JP Bredell Wines Bredell’s Cape Vintage |
2003
|
Red |
Port |
| Kanu KCB Chenin Blanc |
2009
|
White |
Chenin Blanc |
| Ken Forrester The FMC |
2010
|
White |
Chenin Blanc |
| Klein Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon |
2009
|
Red |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Klein Constantia Vin de Constance |
2007
|
White |
Natural Sweet |
| La Motte Pierneef Shiraz Viognier |
2009
|
Red |
Rhone Style Blend |
| La Motte Shiraz |
2009
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Landau du Val Late Vintage Semillon Private Collection |
2010
|
White |
Other White Cultivars |
| L’Avenir Grand Vin Pinotage |
2009
|
Red |
Pinotage |
| Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve |
2009
|
Red |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2008 |
2008
|
Red |
Other Red Cultivars |
| Lomond Pincushion Sauvignon Blanc |
2010
|
White |
Sauvignon Blanc |
| Lomond Conebush Syrah |
2008
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Lomond Sugarbush Sauvignon Blanc |
2010
|
White |
Sauvignon Blanc |
| Lomond Pincushion Sauvignon Blanc |
2011
|
White |
Sauvignon Blanc |
| Longridge Brut |
2008
|
White |
MCC |
| Longridge Chardonnay |
2009
|
White |
Chardonnay |
| Longridge Merlot |
2008
|
Red |
Merlot |
| Louis Wines Louis |
2008
|
Red |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Miles Mossop Max |
2008
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Mulderbosch Chardonnay Barrel Fermented |
2008
|
White |
Chardonnay |
| Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc Steen op Hout |
2010
|
White |
Chenin Blanc |
| Mvemve Raats De Compostella |
2009
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Neethlingshof The Owl Post Pinotage |
2010
|
Red |
Pinotage |
| Nitida Cellars Club Select Sauvignon Blanc |
2011
|
White |
Sauvignon Blanc |
| Oldenburg Vineyards Cabernet Franc |
2009
|
Red |
Other Red Cultivars |
| Oldenburg Vineyards Chenin Blanc |
2011
|
White |
Chenin Blanc |
| Overgaauw Tria Corda |
2009
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Paul Cluver Chardonnay |
2010
|
White |
Chardonnay |
| Rickety Bridge The Foundation Stone |
2010
|
Red |
Rhone Style Blend |
| Rietvallei Wine Estate Special Select Esteanna |
2011
|
White |
Other White Blend |
| Rustenberg Stellenbosch John X Merriman |
2009
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Saronsberg Provenance Rooi |
2010
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz |
2010
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Saronsberg Shiraz |
2010
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Saronsberg Viognier |
2010
|
White |
Other White Cultivars |
| Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz |
2007
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Shannon Vineyards Sanctuary Peak Sauvignon Blanc |
2011
|
White |
Sauvignon Blanc |
| Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel |
2007
|
White |
MCC |
| Stark-Condé Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon |
2009
|
Red |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Sumaridge Chardonnay |
2010
|
White |
Chardonnay |
| Super Single Vineyards Mount Sutherland Syrah |
2009
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Swartland Winery Bushvine Pinotage |
2010
|
Red |
Pinotage |
| Swartland Winery Bushvine Shiraz |
2010
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Teddy Hall Dr Jan Cats Chenin Blanc Reserve |
2010
|
White |
Chenin Blanc |
| Teddy Hall Hercùles van Loon Cabernet Sauv Reserve |
2008
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc |
2010
|
White |
Chenin Blanc |
| The High Road Director’s Reserve |
2009
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Tierhoek Straw Wine |
2007
|
White |
Natural Sweet |
| Tokara Directors Reserve Red |
2008
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Tokara Directors Reserve White |
2010
|
White |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Vilafonté Series M |
2009
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Vondeling Baldrick Shiraz |
2011
|
Red |
Shiraz |
| Vondeling Sweet Carolyn |
2007
|
White |
Natural Sweet |
| Warwick Trilogy |
2009
|
Red |
Bordeaux Style Blend |
| Wildekrans Osiris Chenin Blanc Barrel Selection |
2010
|
White |
Chenin Blanc |