{"id":10226,"date":"2016-12-19T11:56:01","date_gmt":"2016-12-19T09:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wfi-global-staging.com\/topwineold\/?p=10226"},"modified":"2021-01-25T17:55:42","modified_gmt":"2021-01-25T15:55:42","slug":"top-20-of-south-africas-most-successful-wines-on-world-stage-in-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wfi-global-staging.com\/topwineold\/2016\/12\/top-20-of-south-africas-most-successful-wines-on-world-stage-in-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 20 of South Africa’s most successful wines on world stage in 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

For ALL of the top-rated, most highly awarded South African wines of the year according to the most authoritative panels of experts locally and internationally, see\u00a0here<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. Showcased below are 20 of the Cape's world-class wines that were particularly\u00a0well received around\u00a0the globe\u00a0in 2016:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Bellingham<\/a>Bellingham The Bernard Series
\nOld Vine Chenin Blanc 2015<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

5 Stars in Platter's SA Wine Guide, trophy at Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge, gold medal at Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards
\nR160 pb was the price at the tasting room, Franschhoek Cellar
\nGrapes from Agter-Paarl, Durbanville and Bottelary in Stellenbosch \u2013 average age of 45 years
\nExtended lees contact, regular stirring; matured for 12 months in French oak barrels (50% new, 50% second-fill)
\nAlc 14% | RS 4.2 g\/l | pH 3.54 | TA 6.2 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: luminescent gold; on the nose, fleshy peach, passion fruit, honey melon, papaya\u00a0and pineapple aromas layered with whiffs of oatmeal\u00a0and crushed wheat that follow through with lavish fruit flavours; powerful on the palate with discernible yet subtle spicy oak complexity; finish is fresh\u00a0and intense with tremendous length<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/b>The Berrio Weather Girl 2015<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Grand Prix Trophy won for the top score overall at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards
\nR120 pb was the approximate retail price (Elim cellar closed to the public)
\nGrapes from 13-year-old vines at The Berrio farm in Elim: 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Semillon
\nWines blended after five months lees contact in tank with weekly battonage\u00a0\u2013 vinification at Cederberg Private Cellar
\nAlc 13.3% | RS 3.6 g\/l | pH 3.5 | TA 6.5 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: fresh herbs on the nose with hints of white pear, quince and lime; a crisp wine with a mineral aftertaste that lingers on the palate<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Cederberg<\/a>Cederberg Shiraz 2014<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Platinum at Decanter World Wine Awards, platinum at Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, Top 12 spot at Shiraz SA Challenge, gold medal at Concours Mondial
\nR190 pb was the price at the cellar
\nGrapes from 15-year-old vines in the Cederberg
\n15 months in medium-toast 225-litre barrels, medium- and tight-grain oak, 60% first-fill 40% second-fill, 95% French and 5% American
\nAlc 14.47% | RS 3.8 g\/l | pH 3.5 | TA 5.9 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES:\u00a0complex, filled with intense mulberry and cherries\u00a0on the nose; elegant oaking with\u00a0hints of\u00a0sweet spice and vanilla; red berries follow through on the palate;\u00a0finishes with a smooth, lingering sensation<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Delaire<\/a>Delaire Graff Cabernet Sauvignon
\nReserve 2013<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Top-rated red at the SA Trophy Wine Show where Delaire Graff was honoured as the most successful producer overall on the basis of the number and calibre of awards won, top score in Winemag.co.za's annual Cabernet Sauvignon Report, gold medal at Six Nations Wine Challenge in Sydney, Australia
\nR500 pb was the price at the cellar in Banghoek, Stellenbosch
\nGrapes from Delaire Graff mountain vineyards
\nMatured in new French oak barrels (80% new)
\nAlc 14.5% | RS 2.5 g\/l | pH 3.58 | TA 5.5 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: velvet-textured, complex and powerful; cassis, dark fruit and spicy\u00a0flavours dominate\u00a0in a layered and lingering delivery<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>DeMorgenzon Reserve
\nChardonnay 2015<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

5 Stars in Platter's SA Wine Guide, trophy at Decanter Awards (UK), trophy at International Wine Challenge (UK), top score in Winemag.co.za's Chardonnay Report
\nR350 pb was the price at the cellar in\u00a0Stellenbosch Kloof
\nFermentation in French oak barrels of which 40% were new; 11 months ageing on the lees; unfiltered
\nAlc 14.1% | RS 3.5 g\/l | pH 3.28 | TA 6.3 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: golden; on the nose, toasted brioche with zesty marmalade; on the palate, lime and lemongrass with floral notes of honeysuckle and frangipani; rich vanilla and creamy almond finish<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>DeMorgenzon Reserve
\nChenin Blanc 2015<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Trophy at International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK), trophy at International Wine Challenge (UK), trophy at Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge, gold medal at Decanter World Wine Awards Awards (UK)
\nR350 pb was the price at the cellar in Stellenbosch Kloof
\nGrapes from 43-year-old vines
\nFermented in French oak barrels (25% new); aged for 11 months on the lees
\nAlc 13.8% | RS 2.2 g\/l | pH 3.39 | TA 6.4 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: aromas of white flower, stone fruit, honey and toast erupt into flavours of pear, orange blossom, caramel and spice; balance between lush fruit and crisp, mouth-watering acidity<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Franschhoek<\/a>Franschhoek Vineyards
\nSemillon 2014<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Trophy at International Wine Challenge in the UK, best in class at SA Trophy Wine Show
\nR83 pb was the price at Franschhoek Cellar
\nGrapes from 75-year-old bush vines and 15-year-old trellised vines\u00a0\u2013 the former being one of the very oldest blocks in the Cape
\nNine months maturation on the lees with regular stirring
\nAlc 13.5% | RS 4.0 g\/l | pH 3.5 | TA 5.8 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: pale gold, with expressive peach, lemon cream and orange blossom that follow to a luscious core of ripe tropical and tangy citrus fruit entwined with vanilla spice; graceful in freshness and length<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Gabrielskloof<\/a>Gabri\u00eblskloof The Blend 2013<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Best in Class at South Africa's Trophy Wine Show, double gold medal at the Six Nations Wine Challenge in Sydney, Australia
\nR85 pb was the price at the cellar in Bot River
\nA five-way Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (44%), Cabernet Franc (38%), Petit Verdot (11%), Malbec (5%) and Merlot (2%)
\n12 months maturation in French oak barrels
\nAlc 14% | RS 3.0 g\/l | pH 3.51 | TA 5.7 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: dense black\/ruby epicentre with youthful, garnet rim; on the nose, blackberry flavours offer the promise of luscious fruit, followed by hints of paprika and tobacco, leather and caramel; mouthfeel is velvety, with a complex, rounded tannin grip\u00a0\u2013 judicious use of oak<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Groot<\/a>Groot Constantia
\nGouverneurs Reserve 2013<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

5 Stars in Platter's SA Wine Guide, top score at Winemag.co.za's Red Hot Wine Awards, double gold medal at Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards
\nR327 pb was the price at the cellar
\nBordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (32%), Merlot (31%), Cabernet Franc (28%) and Petit Verdot (9%)
\nMatured for 16 months in 225-litre French oak barrels (80% new, 11% second-fill, 9% third-fill)
\nAlc 14.4% | RS 2.6 g\/l | pH 3.54 | TA 5.9 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: ripe black currant and black cherries dominate the nose, backed by cedar wood character from the barrel-ageing; palate ripe and powerful yet still elegant; firm tannin structure<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Kleine<\/a>Kleine Zalze Family Reserve
\nOld Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2015<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

5 Stars in Platter's SA Wine Guide, trophy at Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge, gold medal at Six Nations Wine Challenge in Sydney, Australia
\nR160 pb was the price at the cellar in Stellenbosch
\nGrapes from three different wards and soils in Stellenbosch\u00a0\u2013 old, unirrigated bush vines
\nFermented in barrel (second-, third- and fourth-fill); eight months maturation in barrel; unfiltered
\nAlc 14% | RS 6.9 g\/l | pH 3.33 | TA 6.9 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: concentrated aromas of pear, white peach and fynbos, with layers of citrus and honeysuckle on the palate; a creamy mouthfeel; long, fresh, earthy finish<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Kleine<\/a>Kleine Zalze Family Reserve
\nSur Lie Sauvignon Blanc 2015<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

5 Stars in Platter's SA Wine Guide, trophy at Sauvignon Blanc Top 10, double gold medal at Veritas Awards, gold medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
\nR160 pb was the price at the cellar in Stellenbosch
\nGrapes from near False Bay in Stellenbosch as well as from Durbanville and Darling
\nVery reductive style of winemaking; seven months on the lees
\nAlc 13.5% | RS 2.9 g\/l | pH 3.49 | TA 7.1 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: complex, showing a lot of upfront litchies, gooseberries and white peaches with a herbaceous element; full-bodied and very rich with a good balance of flavours<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"KWV<\/a>KWV Cape Tawny NV<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Best in Class at South Africa's Trophy Wine Show, platinum at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, double gold medal at the Cape Port Challenge, gold medal at the Veritas Awards
\nR85 pb was the price at the cellar in Paarl
\nA blend of various grape varieties: Tinta Barocca, Cinsaut, Souz\u00e3o, Touriga Na\u00e7ional and Shiraz
\nMatured in French oak \u2013 eight to 10 years in 300- and 500-litre barrels
\nCape Tawny Port must comprise at least 80% barrel-matured fortified wine, display a tawny colour and have a smooth, slightly nutty flavour profile
\nAlc 17.8% | RS 133.95 g\/l | pH 3.58 | TA 5.75 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: amber colour with orange zest, dried fruit, caramel and nuttiness on the nose; explodes with fruit, marzipan and toffee on the palate with a well-balanced, sweet finish<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"L'Avenir<\/a>L'Avenir Single Block
\nPinotage 2014<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Trophy at International Wine Challenge in the UK, trophy at Top 10 Pinotage Competition
\nR320 pb was the price at the cellar in Stellenbosch
\nGrapes from 1.2 hectare vineyard on L'Avenir estate\u00a0in the foothills of the Simonsberg
\nFermentation in both stainless-steel tanks and new oak barrels; 18 months maturation in first- and second-fill French oak barrels
\nAlc 14.5% | RS 3.4 g\/l | pH 3.57 | TA 6.0 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: ripe black cherries, plums, spice and chocolate are prominent on the nose, mixed with floral notes and traces of tobacco; in the mouth, rich plummy fruit and complex oak flavours linger, ending with ample soft tannins<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Nederburg<\/a>Nederburg Private Bin Eminence
\nNoble Late Muscadel 2012<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Trophy at International Wine Challenge in the UK, Best in Class at South African Trophy Wine Show, double gold medal at Veritas Awards, gold medal at Six Nations Wine Challenge, one of the Top 10 gold medallists at Muscats du Monde in France, gold medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in the UK, gold medal at Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards
\nSold at the Nederburg Auction in Paarl
\nMuscat de Frontignan grapes from 27-year-old vines on the Simondium Mountain in Paarl\u00a0\u2013 fruit left to hang on the vines for much longer than usual in order to concentrate the sugars and rich flavours that characterise this style of wine
\nAlc 9.5% | RS 240.0 g\/l | pH 3.4 | TA 9.56 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: aromas of flowers, currants, raisins, citrus and spice; on the palate, luxurious, complex, decadently sweet<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>Nederburg Private Bin R163
\nCabernet Sauvignon 2013<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

5 Stars in Platter's 2017 South African Wine Guide, trophy at International Wine & Spirit Competition in the UK, gold medal at Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards
\nYet to go on sale at the Nederburg Auction in Paarl\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Paarl fruit
\nIWSC JUDGES' TASTING NOTES: opaque with ruby red, bright rim; aromas of blackcurrant and red cherries with subtle nuances of dark chocolate and mocha; in\u00a0the mouth, an abundance of berry fruit flavours on\u00a0a fine oak backing \u2013 smooth and generous with sweet spice and supple tannins; great complexity and harmony<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>Saronsberg Full Circle 2014<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Trophy for Best South African Red at the International Wine Challenge in the UK, double gold medal at the Six Nations Wine Challenge in Sydney, Australia, gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards in the UK
\nR360 pb was what it sold for at the cellar in Tulbagh
\nA blend of Shiraz (89%), Grenache (7%), Mourv\u00e8dre (3%) and Viognier (1%), with the average age of the vines\u00a0around nine years
\nGrapes\u00a0bunch-sorted in the vineyards and berry-sorted on vibration tables
\nFermentation in open tanks and wine left on the lees for 11 months; malolactic fermentation completed in barrel
\nBarrel-matured for 20 months (French oak)
\nAlc 14.37% | RS 3.6 g\/l | pH 3.44 | TA 6.3 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: a deep, dark purple colour with prominent ripe plum, red berry and floral flavours and undertones of spice; the oak well balanced with full, firm yet accessible tannins<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Stellenrust<\/a>Stellenrust Barrel Fermented
\nChenin Blanc 2015<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

5 Stars and White Wine of the Year award in Platter's SA Wine Guide, trophy at Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards
\nR140 pb was the price at the cellar in Stellenbosch
\nBotrytis-infected grapes from 51-year-old bush vines in Bottelary, Stellenbosch
\nNine\u00a0months' fermentation\/time on the lees in barrels (90% French oak, 10% Hungarian oak)
\nAlc 13.4% | RS 3.9 g\/l | pH 3.31 | TA 7.3 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: this Chenin will compliment an array of dishes, from orange-infused duck confit to lemon-infused Norwegian salmon on a bed of creamed spinach and potato pur\u00e9e<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>Tokara Director's Reserve 2014<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Top-scoring white at\u00a0SA Trophy Wine Show, top score at Winemag.co.za's White Hot Wine Awards, double gold medal at Six Nations Wine Challenge in Sydney, Australia
\nR240 pb was the price at the cellar on the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch
\nA blend of Sauvignon Blanc (69%) and Semillon (31%)
\nWines fermented in French oak barrels (around 28% new) and left on the lees for nine months (with regular stirring) before blending
\nAlc 14.0% | RS 2.7 g\/l | pH 3.29 | TA 6.5 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: golden hue; complex nose with notes of ripe quince and baked apples, hints of marzipan and toasted brioche as well as\u00a0an underlying herbal note of nettles; a rich creaminess on the mid-palate leading to a long finish<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Uva<\/a>Uva Mira The Single Tree
\nChardonnay 2014<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Master Award at Drinks Business Masters (UK), gold medal at Decanter World Wine Awards (UK), gold medal at Chardonnay du Monde (FR)
\nR450 pb was what it sold for at the cellar in Stellenbosch
\nSingle-vineyard wine named after the stately tree in the centre of the block high up on the Helderberg
\nNine months maturation in French oak barrels (70% new)
\nAlc 13.5% | RS 3.1 g\/l | pH 3.25 | TA 7.8 g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: colour of straw; on the nose, yellow stone fruit and lime with subtle hints of honeycomb nougat complemented by delicate chestnut and a stone-like minerality; complex mid-palate structure with layers of concentrated fruit, creamy texture and lingering acidity<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Zonnebloem<\/a>Zonnebloem Shiraz Mourv\u00e8dre Viognier 2014<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Best in Class at the SA Trophy Wine Show, double gold medal at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, 90\/100 on Winemag.co.za, gold medal at the Veritas Awards
\nR76 pb was the approximate retail price of this wine from Distell, Stellenbosch
\nA blend of Shiraz (87%), Mourv\u00e8dre (12%) and Viognier (1%)
\nGrapes from trellised vineyards in Stellenbosch Kloof, Helderberg and Devon Valley
\n12 months in wood, mostly first- and second-fill American, French and Hungarian oak barrels
\nAlc 13.52% | RS 2.92 g\/l | pH 3.57 | TA 5.44g\/l
\nWINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: dark purple red; bouquet of ripe plums, savoury notes and oak spice; on the palate a complex mix of plum flavours and savoury notes, intense spice with traces of nutmeg and oak, supported by firm tannins<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For ALL of the top-rated, most highly awarded South African wines of the year according to the most authoritative panels of experts locally and internationally, see\u00a0here. Showcased below are 20 of the Cape’s world-class wines that were particularly\u00a0well received around\u00a0the globe\u00a0in 2016:   Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2015 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide, trophy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2217,1825],"tags":[2223,1239,1119,1241,2406,2405,1705,1244,849,1044,1122,1235,774],"class_list":["post-10226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-2217","category-wine-ratings","tag-2223","tag-award","tag-best","tag-expert","tag-judge","tag-most-successful","tag-panel","tag-rating","tag-sa","tag-south-africa","tag-top","tag-top-20","tag-wine"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t