The results of the 2016 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show were announced yesterday at The Mount Nelson in Cape Town. More than 1000 wines were entered and the judges awarded a total of 35 gold medals, from which the final 21 trophy winning wines were selected. These included 7 dry red wines, 7 dry white wines, 3 dessert wines, 2 Cape ports, and included 6 Museum Class entries.
The strongest classes were Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon-Semillon blends, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinotage. Pinot Noir and Méthode Cap Classique delivered solid results but no trophy.
This year’s winner of the Old Mutual trophy for the Show’s most successful producer was Delaire Graff Estate – with the American Express trophy for the highest scoring Cabernet Sauvignon, gold medals for the Chenin Blanc Swartland Reserve 2014 and Coastal Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc 2015 and a clutch of silver and bronze medals, winemaker Morné Vrey’s stellar achievement was evident for all to see. Close on his heels were Tokara with the Grande Roche trophy for Best White Blend and the Old Mutual trophy for best White Wine overall for the Director’s Reserve 2014, and Nederburg with trophies for The Young Airhawk Wooded Sauvignon Blanc 2015 and the Private Bin Eminence Noble Late Harvest Muscadel 2012, respectively.
All the trophies and gold medalists
Old Mutual Trophy for Most Successful Producer Overall Delaire Graff Estate
American Express Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon, Old Mutual Trophy for Best Red Wine Overall Delaire Graff Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013
Grande Roche Trophy for Best White Blend, Old Mutual Trophy for Best White Wine Overall Tokara Director’s Reserve 2014
Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc, Old Mutual International Judges’ Trophy, Old Mutual Trophy for Discovery of the Show / Best Value Gold Medallist
Secret Cellar Chenin Blanc No. 235 2015 (Ultra Liquors)
Miele Trophy for Best Chardonnay Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2013
Nestlé Pure Life Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc Nederburg The Young Airhawk Wooded Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Riedel Trophy for Best Bordeaux-Style Red Blend Gabriëlskloof The Blend 2013
Tony Mossop Trophy for Best Cape Port KWV Classic Collection Cape Tawny NV
Trophy for Best Semillon Franschhoek Vineyards Semillon 2014 (Franschhoek Cellar)
Trophy for Best Cabernet Franc Vrede en Lust Artisan Cabernet Franc 2014
Trophy for Best Shiraz Stellar Organics No Sulphur Added Shiraz 2015
Best Shiraz Blend, winner of the Trophy for Best Non-Bordeaux Red Blend Zonnebloem Shiraz Mourvèdre Viognier 2014
Trophy for Best Pinotage Brampton Pinotage 2014
Trophy for Best Merlot Groote Post Merlot 2014
Trophy for Best Unfortified Dessert Wine Nederburg Private Bin Eminence Noble Late Harvest Muscadel 2012
Trophy for Best Fortified Dessert Wine Landzicht Wit Muskadel 2015
Trophy for Best Museum Class Unfortified Dessert Wine and Trophy for Best Museum Class Wine Overall Neethlingshof Short Story Collection Maria Noble Late Harvest 2009
Trophy for Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Trophy for Best Museum Class White Blend Vergelegen G.V.B 2012
Trophy for Best Museum Class Chardonnay KWV The Mentors Chardonnay 2011
Trophy for Best Museum Class Chenin Blanc Bosman Optenhorst Chenin Blanc 2011
Trophy for Best Museum Class Cape Port KWV Limited Release Port 1948
Also Gold Medal Winners
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2013 (Port) Delaire Graff Chenin Blanc Swartland Reserve 2014 Delaire Graff Coastal Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Chenin Blanc Reserve 2015 Koelenbosch Houtverouderd Chenin Blanc 2014 (Koelenhof Winery) Lanzerac Mrs. English 2011 (Museum Class Chardonnay) Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest 2005 (MC) Neil Ellis Groenekloof Shiraz 2014 Neil Ellis Woolworths Elgin Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Perdeberg Winery The Dry Land Collection Chenin Blanc 2014 Rijk’s Reserve Chenin Blanc 2011 Stellenrust Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Museum Class) Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Syrah 2012 Vondeling Cabernet Sauvignon 2013