In a result which vindicates what commentators and critics have been saying for some time, Nederburg beat several more favoured competitors to take the Fairbairn Capital Trophy for the Most Successful Producer at the 2008 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. The competition, judged over four days in early May at the Grande Roche in Paarl, attracted a record 1 024 entries from 230 cellars. Nederburg secured the Most Successful Producer slot with a trophy for their Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc 2007 as the Best Unwooded Sauvignon Blanc on the show, a gold medal for their Private Bin S316 Weisser Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2004 plus four silver medals and seven bronze medals. Saronsberg Cellar secured second position in the Most Successful Producer rankings, followed by JP Bredell Wines in third spot.
It has been widely acknowledged that there has been a dramatic improvement in the standard of Nederburg’s wines in the past five years. Razvan Macici as Cellarmaster, White-wine maker Tariro Masayiti and Red-wine maker Wim Truter have been focusing on fruit sources, managing batch processing and refining production techniques to optimise quality at all levels of the winemaking process.
This year’s competition yielded 24 gold medals in total - exactly the same number as 2007 and 2006. The silver medal count of 52 was higher than in 2007 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.
Said Stephen Cahill, Marketing Director of Old Mutual: "Old Mutual is delighted to be associated with a world-class showcase for South African wines. We have sponsored this prestigious event since 2002 and believe it to be the perfect opportunity to invest in the success of the country's winemakers."
Co-convenor of the competition (together with WINE magazine) and Chairman of the Judges, Michael Fridjhon, was satisfied with the overall results and particularly upbeat about several of the classes. “We don’t work a magic formula, nor do we impose any limit in terms of the number of medals awarded by any panel. So when the medal count more or less lines up to the average, it seems to suggest that the 2008 judges applied standards consistent with those of their predecessors.”
Commenting on the fluctuating medal counts in some classes compared with the 2007 show, he said: “There are obviously variations arising from the dynamic of the panels – show judging can never be an absolute science – but much is accounted in vintage variation.”
Feedback at the post-judging judges' feedback session focused on the strength of certain classes – notably white blends, wooded whites (including Sauvignon Blanc), Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, fortified and dessert wines. The judges were particularly pleased with the top Merlot and the overall quality of the Shiraz category.
Chairman of the Shiraz panel, Sam Harrop MW said: "We've seen elegance, finesse and complexity that I've never seen in South African wines before. So quality has moved on, diversity is starting to come through."
With reference to the strong showing of the 2006 reds which accounted for all the gold medals in the Shiraz and Cabernet classes, Harrop commented: "The big difference between the 2005 and 2006 vintage is that the 06s are so much more approachable texturally".
2008 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show Roadshow
Within the next two weeks, a series of tastings will be taken to six major centres countrywide in addition to the inaugural Masterclass® in Windhoek, Namibia.
75 Trophy, gold and silver medal winning wines will be presented at public tastings in Johannesburg and Cape Town:
Johannesburg: Friday, 6 June 2008 18h00 to 21h00 Hilton Sandton
Cape Town: Thursday, 12 June 2008 17h00 to 20h00 The Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quays
Tickets cost R90 each and can be purchased via Computicket or at the door.
THE AUDITED* RESULTS OF 2008 OLD MUTUAL TROPHY WINE SHOW
Fairbairn Capital Trophy for the Most Successful Producer 2008: Nederburg Wines
Old Mutual Trophy for Best Red Wine Overall: Eagles' Nest Shiraz 2006
Old Mutual Trophy for Best White Wine Overall: Zonnebloem Limited Edition Semillon 2007
Old Mutual Trophy for Discovery of the Show (Best Value): KC Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005
Old Mutual Trophy for Best Port: Bredell’s Cape Vintage Reserve 2001
American Express Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon: Guardian Peak Lapa Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
British Airways Comair Limited Trophy for Best Shiraz: Eagles' Nest Shiraz 2006
Miele Trophy for Best Chardonnay: Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2006
Riedel Glass Trophy for Best Bordeaux-Style Red Blend: Saronsberg Provenance Rooi 2006
Grande Roche Trophy for Best Merlot: Saxenburg Private Collection Merlot 2005
Trophy for Best Unwooded Sauvignon Blanc: Nederburg Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Trophy for Best Wooded Sauvignon Blanc: Quoin Rock The Nicobar 2007
Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc: SAAM Mountain Middelburg Chenin Blanc 2007
Trophy for Best White Blend: Tokara White 2006
Trophy for Best Semillon: Zonnebloem Limited Edition Semillon 2007
Trophy for Best Pinot Noir: Bouchard Finlayson Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2006
Trophy for Best Dessert Wine: Delheim Edelspatz Noble Late Harvest 2007
Trophy for Best Museum Class Fortified Dessert Wine: Nuy White Muscadel 1998
Trophy for Best 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 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Stellenzicht Reserve Semillon 2004
Vergelegen White 2005
