The new Veritas Vertex Award for the overall champion wine from 1 638 entries for the Veritas Awards 2017, stole the show. It was awarded to Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2015, a wooded wine, and added to the remarkable achievement of Spier Wines by winning six Double Gold and nine Gold medals as second best performer overall at the event.
The Veritas Vertex award for the top wine of the competition takes its name from the Latin vertex, which means ‘highest point’ and it fits perfectly into the Veritas Awards notion of being the pinnacle of all the medals awarded.
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2015
The Spier 21 Gables wooded Chenin Blanc, rich and complex, is created from vineyards that are over 40-years-old. These vineyards produce grapes with thicker skins, giving you a wine with intense flavour that also ages well.
One can expect soft aromas of dried apricots and ripe tropical fruit, with an oak and vanilla undertow on the nose. On the palate, there’s an inescapable rounded richness of flavor and good acidity, white flesh peaches, almond paste and creamy notes.
Four wine industry luminaries – Walter Finlayson, Nicky Krone, Giel Swiegers and Hugo van der Merwe – received the Living Legends scroll of honour in recognition of their invaluable contribution to the South African wine and brandy industries.
Double Gold winners
Distell led with seven Double Golds for Alto Rouge 2015, Alto Shiraz 2015, Desiderius MCC 2009, Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Chardonnay 2016, Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur NLH 2003, Nederburg Private Bin Eminence NLH Muscadel 2001 and Uitkyk Carlonet Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.
Spier took six Double Gold medals for Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2015, Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2016, Spier Ideology Chenin Blanc 2016, Spier Signature Chenin Blanc 2017, Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 and Spier Creative Block 3 Shiraz/Mourvedre/Viognier 2012.
Kleine Zalze scooped Double Gold medals for Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2015, Kleine Zalze Family Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2016, Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009 and Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.
KWV won Double Gold medals for KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2009, KWV The Mentors NLH 2012 and Laborie Blanc de Blancs MCC 2011.
Diemersdal excelled with Double Gold medals for Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2017, Diemersdal Winter Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2017 and Diemersdal Malbec 2015.
Public tastings of the winners will be available in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth. The full schedule is available online at www.veritas.co.za.
