The Trophy Wine Show results 3 June 2008

An old champ is top producer for 2008

For those who have observed what has been happeneing at Nederburg in the past half-decade under the control of cellarmaster Razvan Macici, no implausible note was struck when Nederburg was declared the Most Successful Producer at the 2008 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. White-wine maker Tariro Masayiti had already gone up to collect a trophy for their Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc 2007 and a gold for the Private Bin S316 Weisser Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2004. Probably more in keeping with Nederburg’s own aspirations, they also won four silver medals and seven bronze.

Altogether there were 24 gold medals awarded – the same number as in 2007 and 2008. ‘The silver medal count of 52 was higher than in 2007’, say the organisers, ‘and more in line with the average yield for the past five years. The bronze medal tally of 242 was a significant improvement on 2007 (by 38%) and slightly higher than the average percentage since the inaugural 2002 show.’

This out of an entry this year of 1024 wines from 230 producers. They were judged by three panels, with six local judges and three well-respected foreign critics: this year Joel Payne (Germany), Sam Harrop and Anthony Rose (Britain). The chair of the show was, as always, Michael Fridjhon.

The trophies

Most Successful Producer 2008: Nederburg Wines

Best Red Wine Overall: Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2006 

Best White Wine Overall: Zonnebloem Limited Edition Semillon 2007

Discovery of the Show (Best Value): KC Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005

Port: Bredell’s Cape Vintage Reserve 2001

Cabernet Sauvignon: Guardian Peak Lapa Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Shiraz: Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2006 

Chardonnay: Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2006

Bordeaux-Style Red Blend: Saronsberg Provenance Rooi 2006

Merlot: Saxenburg Private Collection Merlot 2005

Unwooded Sauvignon Blanc: Nederburg Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Wooded Sauvignon Blanc: Quoin Rock The Nicobar 2007 

Chenin Blanc: SAAM Mountain Middelburg Chenin Blanc 2007

White Blend: Tokara White 2006

Semillon: Zonnebloem Limited Edition Semillon 2007

Pinot Noir: Bouchard Finlayson Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2006

Dessert Wine: Delheim Edelspatz Noble Late Harvest 2007

Museum Class Fortified Dessert Wine: Nuy White Muscadel 1998

Museum Class Port: Boplaas Cape Tawny Port 1980

Other gold medal winners:

Cirrus Syrah 2006

Die Krans Vintage Port 1999

Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Shiraz 2006

Nederburg Private Bin S316 Weisser Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2004

Stark-Condé Three Pines Jonkershoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Stellenzicht Reserve Semillon 2004

Vergelegen White 2005

• All results and additional statistics are available on the Trophy Show website

• Public tastings of 75 trophy, gold and silver medal-winning wines will be held as follows:

Johannesburg: Friday, 6 June 2008, 6-9pm, Hilton Sandton

Cape Town: Thursday, 12 June 2008, 5-8pm, The Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quays

 Tickets at R90 from Computicket or at the door.