The Taj Classic Wine Trophy winners results
Back: Marinda Kruger-van Eck (Boutinot), Georgie Prout (Glen Carlou), Christiaan Van Huyssteen (Saronsberg), Anri Botha (DGB), Emul Ross (Hamilton Russell), Kallie Fernhout (Delaire Graff), Matthew Van Heerden (Weberburg), Julia and Mark Norrish (Secret Cellar), Carl Van der Merwe (De Morgenzon)
Front: Christophe Durand (Taj Wine Classic Trophy Organiser), Boela Gerber (Groot Constantia)
The ceremony was the culmination of a rigorous judging process that took place between 2-5 March 2015 that sought to recognise, reward and promote elegance, balance, finesse, age-ability and sense of place achieved by Vignerons in South Africa.
Michael Pownall, Taj Cape Town GM says, "Wine is a central part of South Africa's history and culture, with some of the oldest wine farms in the Cape dating back to the 17th century. Taj Cape Town places importance on promoting and preserving this legacy and we are proud to have sponsored the Taj Classic Wine Trophy for the past four years. Exposing our local winemakers to the rigorous international judging standards of these awards benchmarks South African wine against some of the world's best."
International judges
The panel of international judges comprised:
Christophe Durand, Taj Classic Wine Trophy organiser and proprietor of Dorrance Wines
Claude Gilois, well-known French wine writer, consultant and wine blogger
Germain Lehodey, sommelier of Mosaic restaurant
Jerome Faure, corporate sommelier Constance Hotels and Resorts, Mauritius
Olivier Poels, editor and managing partner of La Revue du VIN de France and wine commentator for Europe 1 radio
Olivier Poussier, best sommelier in the world winner, wine consultant, writer and group sommelier of Lenôtre
Stephane Duvernes, proprietor of wine distributor Les Chais St Laurent, Paris
Tatiana Marcetteau, sommelier at Taj Cape Town
Thierry Germain proprietor of Domaine des Roches Neuves, Saumur
Todd Ramsey from Marram wine Importers, Canada
Xavier Didier, former sommelier at Tantris, Munich
International winners
Bacchus Trophy winners will be listed in La Revue du Vin de France 2015 and promoted at Salon de La Revue du Vin de France in Paris in May 2015. The winners are:
Bubbly and White Wine
Boutinot Mon Vieux Sauvignon Blanc 2014
De Morgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014
Delaire Graff White Blend 2012
Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2014
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 201
Secret Cellar Blanc de Blanc MCC NV
Red Wine
Bellingham The Bernard Series Basket Press Syrah 2013
Boschkloof Epilogue Shiraz 2012
Chamonix Greywacke Pinotage 2012
Groot Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Groot Constantia Merlot 2013
Groot Constantia Pinotage 2013
Morgenster 2001
Saronsberg Full Circle 2012
Sumaridge Pinot Noir 2012
Webersburg Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot/ Petit Verdot 2011
The prize for the Most Iconic Entry of 2015 was awarded to Groot Constantia and winemaker Boela Gerber walked away with a pair of new barriques, sponsored by coopers Tonnellerie Claude Gillet and Tonnellerie Darnajou.
Local panel selects local winners
In addition, a local judging panel decided which of the trophy winners presented the best overall value to patrons of the Taj Cape Town and readers of GQ South Africa. Convened by wine judge Jonathan Steyn, this panel consisted of:
Christian Eedes - Editor of www.winemag.co.za and prominent wine judge
Craig Tyson - Editor of GQ magazine South Africa
Jeanri-Tine van Zyl - columnist for www.winemag.co.za
Khuselo Mputa - Sommelier at Grande Provence
Michael Pownall - Group GM of Taj Cape Town
Tatiana Marcetteau - Sommelier at Taj Cape Town
Local winners
De Morgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014
Groot Constantia Merlot 2013
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2014
Saronsberg Full Circle 2012
Secret Cellar Blanc de Blanc MCC NV
Webersburg Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot/ Petit Verdot 2011
The awarded wines were presented with certificates of recognition and will be showcased in GQ South Africa and served in the Taj Cape Town during the month of June.