A particularly strong line up made for a hugely exciting National Wine Challenge this year. Organisers, stakeholders and judges were all well-pleased both with traction as well as wine quality. Winning wines faced tough challenges and they had to fight hard, given the generally high wine quality and overall a more sophisticated line up than previously. This builds a strong case, for wine lovers to now seek out these winning wines. A fine collection of ‘cream’ to be thoroughly enjoyed.
Vineyards with winning positions can now use these prestigious awards, to assist and endorse their own promotion and sales programmes. As a consequence, positioning their fine wines throughout 2023, well ahead of the pack.
Information will be provided on special awards (Consistency, Grand Cru Best in Class, as well as White, Red, Bubbly and Fortified/Sweet Wines of the Year) on Monday 5 June followed by Double Gold winners on Wednesday 7 June.
Overall, white wines gained a total of 27 podium wins. This result is very consistent with last year. Sauvignon Blanc ousted Chenin with 7 wins this year. Chenin scooped a total of 6 wins while Chardonnay managed a solid performance with 3 wins in all.
The category of ‘other white blends’ did rather well too with a total of 6 wins. Less common cultivars managed 6 wins in total with Riesling and Viognier each gaining two wins. Verdelho and Semillon managed a single win each.
Overall, the regions that produced most winning wines included Worcester and Paarl with 4 wins each and Stellenbosch, Robertson, Franschhoek and Breedekloof with 3 wins each.
The ‘Top 10’ highest scoring white wines overall, were 3 wins each for both Sauvignon Blanc and for Other White Blends. Chenin Blanc gained 2 wins while Riesling gained 1 win.
Regionally, for the ‘Top 9’ winning white wines, Stellenbosch gained 3 winning wines. With Robertson, Breedekloof, Constantia, Franschhoek, Worcester and Paarl each gaining single win.
The red wine category again did very well indeed this year. A total of 62 winning wines found favour with judges and gained Top 100 podium positions. Shiraz took line honours with 14 wins, reversing the fortunes of Cabernet this year. This was followed by a stellar showing from Bordeaux Blends with 10 wins. Cabernet and Pinotage both managed 7 wins each. Other Red Cultivars scored 11 wins in total, with 3 wins for Cabernet Franc, 2 wins for Malbec plus single wins for Grenache, Petit Verdot, Petit Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan and Bakleinblok. Other Red Blends gained 5 wins, Red Rhone Blends gained 4 wins and Pinot Noir gained 2 wins. Cape Blends and Merlot managed single wins each.
Overall, the regions that produced most winning wines included Stellenbosch with 15 wins, Paarl with 9 wins, Robertson, Wellington and Worcester each with 5 wins.
The ‘Top 10’ red wines included a strong showing from Shiraz and Bordeaux Blends each with 3 wins, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon with 2 wins. Single wins went to a Rhone Blend and to an Other Red Blend.
Regionally, for the Top 20 red wines, Stellenbosch dominated with 6 wins and Franschhoek right behind with 5 wins. Breedekloof & Robertson both gained 2 wins. Single wins were recorded by Elgin, Paarl, Constantia, Wellington and Worcester.
Rose wins dropped down from last year, gaining a single award.
This was once again a successful year for MCC, matching last year with a total of nine wins. Again, only a single rosé gained a win with all other winners being Brut or Blanc de Blanc wines. Robertson region excelled with 5 wins, while Stellenbosch gained 2 wins and Franschoek gained 2 wins.
This category managed a very credible performance, with victories awarded to 5 fine examples. Constantia, Elgin, Worcester Paarl regions all featured.
Just a single Muscadel wine from Worcester gained a win.
There were just two compelling wins in this category, a Vintage Reserve and a Cape Tawny both from the Calitzdorp region.
For the broader white wine category including sweet and rosé wines, vintages 2017 and 2018 both enjoyed single wins, 2020 gained three wins while 2021 gained 11 wins. Vintage 2022 enjoyed 15 wins while 2023 enjoyed 2 wins.
The red wine category, including Fortified and Port, enjoyed 3 wins from vintage 2022, 17 wins from 2021, 23 wins from vintage 2020, 10 wins from both 2019 and from 2018, plus a solitary win from vintage 2007. Much as for the white wines, cultivars for red wines were spread evenly throughout the vintages above, although Bordeaux Blends and Cabernet were well-represented within the older vintages.
Vintage 2018 tied with Vintage 2017 with 2 wins each. 2016 and 2014 each gained a single win. Non-Vintage bubblies gained 3 wins.
The winning wines, those that achieved Double Platinum/Top 100 status awards, earned scores of between 91/100 and 95/100. This is marginally lower than the score bands in the 2022 NWC event and also slightly lower than the average of the proceeding three years. Most of the winning wines gained scores between the bands of 91/100 to 93/100, with results spread fairly evenly. To be expected, a smaller number of wines gained 94/100 and 95/100.
The 2023 set of results reinforces the view that smaller incremental improvements are to be found across wine styles, cultivars and regions throughout the Western Cape. Perhaps expectedly so, given substantial improvements over the past decade which now leaves fine wine generally at a much more elevated level than was previously the case.
South African fine wine remains well-recognised after a decade of strong performance. It yields an enticing array of smart examples across most cultivars and blends, often at compellingly reasonable prices.
Red wines accounted for 55% of total entries, a very small decrease on 2022. White wines again representing 30% of total entries identical to last year. Rosé wines accounted for just under 4%. MCC increased from 6% to 7.5% of total entries. The sweet/fortified/port category remained constant again at around 4% of entered wines.
Firstly, we look at the percentage of winners by category, against all wines entered: Around 9% of the high quality red wine entries gained Top 100 status this year, similar to 2022. White wine Top 100 winners enjoyed a winning ratio of approximately 3.8%, again similar to 2022. 1.4% of MCC’s entered, gained Top 100 status. 1.2% of Sweet, Fortified and Port wines were awarded Top 100 status.
Secondly, we looked at the winners by cultivar or blend, expressed as a percentage of entries for that cultivar or blend: 19% of Shiraz wines entered gained a Top 100 position. Merlot averaged 4%, Bordeaux Blends 20%, Pinotage 18% and Cabernet 13%. For white wines, 15% of the Sauvignon Blanc entered gained a Top 100 win. 5% of Chardonnay got through, while 12% of Chenin Blanc were winners, with the top performance coming from the category of Other White Blends which gained a 30% success ratio.
An interesting feature, then, that both the iconic and well established Bordeaux Blend category, as well as much loved and invested in Other White Blend category, both delivered the top ‘relative success’ performances!
We are delighted to present these excellent set of results for the 2023 NWC. These are simply fantastic wines! Thus, another fine cause to now celebrate. This leading wine event is now in its 13th successful year. As ever, the first in the calender to release key wine- performance results. Our gratitude and thanks run deep, given so many of SA’s both leading and emerging vineyards offering their positive and strong support. It is so exciting and rewarding to work with the talented individuals and teams who are at the forefront of our fantastic local wine industry.
The professional team applies a top ranked approach and standard to support and promote SA fine-wine through the National Wine Challenge. Wineries compete for the acclaimed array of prestigious awards. Public recognition of the top-level performances achieved by winners provides critical independent credibility. Advantageous commercial gains and brand enhancement opportunities are well entrenched. As is the positive industry recognition, acknowledgement and support for what the NWC delivers. Winning results directly influence decisions around listings, enhanced shelf space and crucially, additional sales.
Internationally, commentators and critics continue with their support of SA fine-wine. Quality is now a given. Worldwide, wine producing nations are also forging ahead with finer quality and good commentary. Battle lines are drawn but of course there never is an ultimate winner. Nonetheless there are a number of splendid reasons for which to be proud: Vineyard practices, more accurate planting, clonal selection, harvesting skills, all are much improved. In the cellar better hygiene factors, sensitive pressing and extraction, less oak and better barrel selection continue, adding positive differences. Altogether, these fine-tuning changes upgrade resultant fine wines. At its best, the hallmarks of fine wine offer a harmonious balance of elegance, structure and complexity. Our best wines do just that!
Tough economic times continue in much of the world right now and certainly this is the case in SA today. Our wine industry culture is resilient. It has to be! Out industries commitment to hard work and exceptionally long hours, often done so with enthusiasm and humour, are very much a part of ‘how we do things’. These underpin the fine, hard-earned, reputations of SA’s best wines.
Local fine wines can be talked up in all situations and at all opportunities alike. The 2023 Top 100 winning wines even more so. They deserve your full support and a place in your cellar too. Every last one of them is a remarkable, pedigreed, winner!
The strong set of results in 2023 showcase a diverse portfolio of fine SA wines. This is the toughest nut to crack, as winemakers will attest. It is very difficult to win a Top 100 podium award. This testing challenge does not change, with new vineyards and new wines again entered into the 2023 NWC for the first time. Altogether, this simply make it that much harder to achieve the recognition that this very special win commands.
The quality of judges and the performance of the panels, the judging disciplines and protocols, together with rigorous audit procedures, sets the standard that others follow. We offer our warm, grateful, thanks to all of our supporters. Special congratulations of course go to all 2023 winners.
The following vineyards were major winners in the 2023 National Wine Challenge/Top 100, each receiving a total of three or more Double Platinum awards:
Six vineyards gained 2 victories each.
Twenty two vineyards gained 1 victory each.
A full list of the Platinum Award winning wines is available at the end of the press release.
Junel Van Der Merwe, international brand ambassador: "Our achievement of Top 100 and Double Platinum awards at the NWC competition is a resounding endorsement of the quality and craftsmanship behind Alvi's Drift wines. This recognition instils confidence in buyers and consumers worldwide, assuring them of exceptional experiences with every bottle. We invite wine enthusiasts the world over to join us on this remarkable journey of exploration and taste."
Bernard Claassen & Abraham De Villiers, senior winemakers: "We take pride in the quality of our wines and to have 6 of our wines in the Top 100 & Double Platinum is an unbelievable achievement. It goes to show how incredibly passionate and dedicated our winemakers are toward excellence."
Daniela Jansen, Saronsberg winemaker: "Receiving five Top 100 awards is an incredible honour and a true testament to the talent and passion of our team. It's a celebration of our relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation, pushing the boundaries of winemaking and delivering outstanding wines that captivate and delight."
Francois Theunissen, general manager: "We are honoured to receive such commendable and creditable recognition across the varying tiers of Dornier wines entered into The National Wine Challenge this year - a third consecutive win of its kind for Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon. Congratulations and thanks to the dedicated pursuits of Dornier’s winemaking team."
Paul Clüver Jnr, managing director: "These awards underscore Paul Clüver Family Wines’ pursuit of excellence in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir made in Elgin’s cool-climate terroir. To have two of our wines each winning one of these revered awards is a true honour, especially at a time when South Africa has shown itself as making some of the best Chardonnays in the world. And to see our icon Seven Flags Pinot Noir in this top sphere is equally gratifying as I believe South Africa is on the cusp of greatness in Pinot Noir."
Kobus Burger, CEO & winemaker Rietvallei: "We feel deeply honoured and proud to receive all these awards from The National Wine Challenge 2023. It is so rewarding to achieve four Double Platinum which include a Grand Cru National Champion Best in Class and three Double Gold and two Double Silver. Also, most pleasing is the recognition this holds for the Robertson wine region. A big thank you for this acknowledgement by the organisers and tasting panel and also to my team, from the farm workers to management, without whom this would never have been possible."
Jacques Cilliers –winemaker at Zandvliet: “To be recognized by the Top 100 SA Wines is an incredible honour. We aimed for elegance and sophistication in our Zandvliet Estate Shiraz and to see our efforts acknowledged in such a remarkable way is truly humbling”.
Van Zyl Du Toit, Winemaker: "To have three wines preform this well and achieve Top 100 status is truly an honour for us all here on the farm. Not only does it showcase our commitment to quality and excellence , but it also bodes well for future accolades as the awards season commences. Thanks to all the National Wine Challenges for recognizing these exceptional wines."
Pierre de Klerk, Graham Beck cellarmaster: “We’re overjoyed with this phenomenal consecutive win for the Cuvée Clive. Receiving accolades such as these at the National Wine Challenge, a highly respected wine show with an incredibly rigorous selection process. Not only does this inspire us to achieve even higher standards of excellence – it is an immense honour to share the stage with other superb South African wines.”
Christoff de Wet, winemaker: "We are so proud to receive the Double Platinum & Top 100 award for both the Tritonia Verdelho 2021 and the Vintage Reserve 2020! Our wine and port style wines makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant and every day more civilized."
Gielie Beukes, winemaker: "A lot of effort goes in to creating wines that are truly expressive of the vineyard sites and it is such an honour to receive two Top 100 / Double platinum awards for these wines. It is gratifying to see the devotion to our exceptional terroir paying off."
Sjaak Nelson, winemaker: “All of us at Jordan are thrilled to have several of our wines once again, selected to be in the Top 100. Our consistent success is due to the Jordan cellar and vineyard staff working together as a tight-knit team, ensuring that quality fruit is produced in the vineyards and then well-managed and improved on in the cellar. The Jordan team are proud to have achieved 2 wines selected for Double Platinum awards.”
Jean Naudé, CEO: “We are delighted in having three wines listed under the Top 100 SA Wines. The inclusion of our new red blend, Lady of Abundance, into this exclusive list of SA Wines is heartwarming and very rewarding to our vineyard and winemaking teams. Congratulations to them.”
Hein Koegelenberg, CEO: "We are delighted with the Top 100 and Double Platinum NWC award for the 2019 La Motte Syrah, 2019 Pierneef Syrah Viognier and 2020 La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon.
We are committed to quality and always aim to over-deliver on expectations. As such we really value the results of the National Wine Challenge. Cheers!"
Toit Wessels, winemaker: “The Ridgeback team is immensely proud and grateful to be the recipient of 3 x Double Platinum awards at the prestigious 2023 NWC Top 100 Competition which we consider to be a benchmark of the finest wines in the industry.”
Nicholas Husselman & Handré Visagie, winemakers: "On behalf of the winemaking team, we are extremely proud of getting two wines into the Top 100 and Double Platinum awards category. These awards are a testament to the passion, craftmanship and dedication of the winemaking team and everyone involved at Koelenhof Winery."
Jeremy Borg, top dog & winemaker: "The Painted Wolf pack is extremely proud to have 10 wines recognised for their outstanding quality by the panel, including 2 wines in the Top100, and judged best in Class. Dedicated and loyal growers have supplied wondeerful grapes to Painted Wolf wines over the years and it is great to see them all represented. A mission of ours is to promote long term vineyard sustainability, and it is fantastic to be recognised for our focus on warm climate Mediterranean and other drought tolerant cultivars. Painted Wolf Wines continue to explore the roads less travelled , building South Africa's leading conservation wine company with thrilling wines and a significant ongoing investment in conservation."
Paul Wallace, owner & viticulturist: "I am delighted that two of our wines, namely the Black Dog Malbec 2019 and Nix NLH 2021, have been included in the prestigious NWC SA’s Top 100 Wines and been awarded Double Platinum status. Once again the cool climate vineyards of Elgin have yielded wines which express both purity of fruit, personality and longevity."
Alexander Grier, winemaker - Villiera Cap Classique: "Cap Classique is a focus category for Villiera. It is a great honour to be awarded a Top 100 & Double Platinum for our Villiera Monro Brut 2016 and the Villiera Tradition Brut NV, showing excellence and consistency in this category."
Pieter Hanekom, owner: "The distinguished Hanekom Family Legacy in the Franschhoek Valley dates back to 1714... It is an honour, in such an all-inclusive competition where we find ourselves alongside the best wines in the Cape, to be recognised in receipt of Grand Cru, Top 100 and Double Platinum awards. Semillon was first planted in the French Huguenots’ Franschhoek Valley in 1690 and Akkerdal’s 2020, Pieter Hanekom’s maiden vintage, underwrites its terroir as evidenced in Top 100 Wines. His love and relationship with the soils, the terroir, viticulture, and knowledge of the Akkerdal’s vineyards is acknowledged in this award for handcrafted wines."
Narina Cloete, winemaker: "The De Blaauwe Klip blend is a snapshot for consumer of our classic Stellenbosch terroir and five classic cultivars that forms this pure, complex and fruit driven blend."
Marthinus Rademeyer, chief winemaker: "We are immensely proud to receive yet another Top 100 Double Platinum award for the Bonnievale Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon 2021. This award reflects our commitment and passion for this cultivar and reaffirms our constant pursuit, as a team, to deliver top quality wines."
Tertius Jonck, winemaker: "We at De Wet Cellar are thrilled to be included in the Top 100 Wines with a Double Platinum medal for our lovely White Muscadel 2021. This achievement is well received and is a testimony of the diversity we have here at De Wet Cellar. We aim to reflect all the different terroirs in our portfolio of wine we offer. We are proud to also have a couple of good Fortified’ s as well!"
Johann de Wet, CEO: "This recognition is enormously welcoming as this Rosé is a relatively new addition to our range and we are thus honoured to see the wine gaining recognition at this level. What is especially gratifying is that Rosé is one of the world’s most dynamic wine categories and De Wetshof is tremendously pleased to be playing a part in it through a wine of recognised quality."
Gerard Holden, co-owner: "We are delighted with this recognition of our flagship Big G blend. 2018 was a fantastic year for our reds in Franschhoek. A typical Left Bank styled Bordeaux blend vinified in stainless steel tanks and matured for 22 months in 30% new French oak barrels. This wine is a true reflection of our terroir."
Ken Forrester, owner: "Chenin is the most delicious wine and it is totally at home barefoot or in high heels and a dinner suit. It’s the ability to wear so many mantles is quite fascinating and something of ongoing exploration for me."
"The Paul de Villiers Reserve is the result of the meticulous blending by the winemakers, using five different cultivars to create an exceptional wine."
Vian Bester, winery manager: "The Manor 2021, This truly unique wine is a composition of cultivars not usually associated with each other. Creating something so unique and of such a high quality has been an extremely enjoyable experience for the Leipzig team."
Christiaan Groenewald & Jacques Groenewald: "We are extremely honored by being awarded a Top 100/Double Platinum award with our latest iteration of our flagship blend the Arendskloof Shiraz/Tannat, as this result confirms to us and our customers that we are putting consistent good quality wines in the bottle which is consumer focused and unique."
Jason Neal, owner: Pandoras Box The Persian Connection Shiraz: "An amazing award to be won. Truly the pinnacle of awards in our industry. With such strong competition it is a great honour that we have won this award for our Pandoras Box The Persian Connection Shiraz against such stiff competition."
Oak Valley Groenlandberg Pinot Noir 2022: Towering above our Pinot Noir vineyard is the Groenlandberg mountain with its highest peak of 1,181m. The altitude, south-easterly sea breezes, cloud cover and cold winters make Oak Valley one of the top Pinot Noir producers in the country. These cool growing conditions allow for the gradual ripening of our Pinot Noir grapes, creating wines of delicacy, freshness, persistent flavours and balance.
Jorika Visser, Raka Biography Shiraz: "This is brilliant news! The Raka Biography Shiraz makes us proud every year with winning and Top 100 award. Consistency is key and delivery such a delightful wine year in an out makes us burst with pride!"
Donovan Ackermann, cellarmaster: "It’s been blood, sweat and tears, we have put everything in to create this wine and to be awarded for our Rickety Bridge Blanc de Blanc NV, is a cheerful and proud feeling. The attention to detail that goes into making a Cap Classique is mind blowing, we have strong market that is growing at a rapid pace, with this award it could only get better. We will be popping some bottles to celebrate."
Dr. Tertius Boshoff, Stellenrust cellarmaster: “An honor to be awarded by NWC. We are custodians of old vines. They know best how to express their fruit in any particular vintage conditions - we merely need to shepherd their knowledge into bottle.”
Christiaan Nigrini, winemaker: "Hard work does pay off, this is undoubtedly a team effort. A few hurdles had to be overcome but it clearly shows we are on the right path with our wine styles at Welbedacht. From Vineyards expressing it’s true Groenberg terroir to gentle cellar influence, we will keep creating top quality wines such as the Baklieblok Cinsault 2022."
Andrea Lubbe, managing director: "We are grateful and honoured to receive this prestigious wine award. It's a testament to the passion and dedication of our Winemaker Guillaume Nel and the entire team. Cheers to everyone who has supported us on this journey. We raise a glass to the artistry of winemaking and the joy it brings to all who savour our wines."
Here is the full list of the Double Platinum winning wines, listed alphabetically:
For further information, please contact accounts@buybetterwine.com
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