First to step up to the international awards plate early in the year was the KWV The Mentors Orchestra 2008, which was awarded a Gold Medal as well as the Regional Trophy within the South African category for a red Bordeaux varietal of £10, at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Another two wines, the KWV The Mentors Chardonnay 2010 and KWV The Mentors Shiraz 2009 shot to fame by being awarded gold medals at this internationally recognised competition. With close of 7500 wines from 49 producer countries being judged, this was once again an affirmation that the Mentors range typifies the KWV pursuit of excellence and quality, typifying the new KWV energy.
The Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay 2010 scored a double-whammy for the KWV Premium range when it not only scooped a gold award at the recent Decanter Wine Awards but went on to secure its second gold of 2011 at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, a competition known for its diversity, not only in producers which enter their wines and spirits, but also a jury which brings together international wine experts ranging from wine journalists to sommeliers.
Still on the international front, the well-balanced Laborie Jean Taillefert Shiraz 2009 was awarded a gold medal at the Mundus Vini International Wine Awards Competition – the pinnacle event for wine in Germany and one of the largest competitions of its kind in the world.
A wine deeply rooted in South African heritage, the Jean Taillefert Shiraz 2009 also bagged a gold medal and was named best wine in its class at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in London. The award is given to wines regarded as an outstanding example that set the standard. This wine was one of only 32 Gold Best in Class (Other Countries and Producers) in a total of 641 medals won by South African entries.
Adding to its earlier international achievement the KWV The Mentors Orchestra 2009 vintage went on to win the Riedel Trophy for Best Bordeaux-style Blend at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, one of South Africa’s premier wine competitions which recognizes top local wines and winemakers, honouring excellence in the wine industry. Still on a winning streak, the vintage took home a gold medal at the Michelangelo International Wine Show. The prestige of this competition lies in the rule that only 30% of entries may be awarded a medal.
Retailing for approximately R195.00 per bottle, this complex red wine has layers of red berry fruit, complemented by oak maturation flavours of subtle cedar and cigar box. A soft and textured palate with hints of spice such as pepper and cloves, results in a smooth and lingering finish.
KWV continued to make its mark at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show by securing the Trophy for the Best Fortified Dessert Wine – Museum Class with the much talked about KWV White Jerepigo, a wine produced in 1933 and which made history by becoming the oldest wine to ever win a trophy at the show.
Not to be outdone, the Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 1995 secured the American Express Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon – Museum Class, completing the hat-trick for KWV at this prestigious event.
The KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon 2009, already a winner of a Veritas Gold and Michelangelo Gold Award went on to scoop a coveted Diamond Award at the Winemakers Choice Awards, along with its counterpart the KWV The Mentors Shiraz 2009, another wine to have secured a gold medal at the acclaimed Michelangelo International Wine Awards.
Significantly, this competition is the only show judged exclusively by winemakers, representing all wines regions countrywide. Diamond Awards – the top prize in the competition – are only given to a maximum of the best 10% of entrants.
Still on the local front, the KWV The Mentors Pinotage 2009 not only scooped a gold award at the Michelangelo International Wine Awards, but reinforced the KWV record as a consistent producer of quality wines in this year’s Absa Top 10 Pinotage Competition, when it was chosen as one of the ultimate Top 10 representing the quality benchmark for the uniquely South African varietal by a panel comprising renowned South African wine producers, writers and tasters.
KWV made history by seizing the most double gold and gold medals ever won by a single producer at the Veritas Awards, South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious wine competition held in October this year – amongst these the KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2009 and the KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc 2009.
The Veritas Awards competition is organised by the South African National Wine Show Association and, after almost two decades, is recognised as one of South Africa’s most authoritative competitions for market ready wines.
Further accolades in the form of gold medals at this highly respected competition in the KWV The Mentors range were the Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon 2009, the Canvas 2009 as well as the KWV Reserve Collection Chardonnay 2010, Cathedral Cellar 2009 Triptych, KWV Hanepoot Jerepigo 1973 and the Laborie Alambic Brandy, a double-distilled potstill brandy which was awarded 99.5 points by the South Africa Wine Index (SAWI), a multi-vintage wine rating deducted from the combined preferences of a diverse group of wine judges from an assortment of wine competitions, providing a condensed result point.
Rounding off the star-studded year, KWV The Mentors Grenache Blanc 2010 was awarded a 5-star rating in the latest edition of the authoritative and internationally recognized 2012 Platter's South African Wine Guide. Of the 7 000 wines tasted this year (400 more than in the 2011 guide), only 45 wines received the prestigious 5-star rating. According to the guide a 5-star wine is described as ‘superlative, a South African classic’.
Says Jeff Gradwell, KWV Brand Director of this successful year: “2011 was an exceptional year for the premium brands as they performed well in both international and local competitions. The wines symbolize our pursuit of excellence and quality, and epitomises the new KWV energy. Paving the way for future successes we remain optimistic that 2012 will produce as many if not more medal winners.”
