A Grand Gold at the Concours Mondial is a rara avis indeed. I doubt whether the panel I chaired (below) found one in three days of blind tasting in Brussels earlier this month. For a comprehensive review of our tastings, read the comments of oenologist Pascal Hénot in French. But others did and unearthed four for SA including Jean Engelbrecht’s Rust en Vrede 1694 blend of Cabernet and Shiraz from the stand out 2009 vintage. It was the highest scoring SA wine.

Escapades Pinotage Rosé 2013Afrique du sud Coastal Region
Kasteelberg Shiraz 2012Afrique du sud Swartland
Linton Park Reserve Merlot 2010Afrique du sud Wellington
Rust en Vrede 1694 Classification 2009Afrique du sud Stellenbosch

Hats off to Zakkie Bester from Riebeek Cellars, a dynamic Wine Collective, for standing next to Jean for a fraction of the price. And so nice to see a Groenberg wine from Linton Park up there with the Helderberg while Escapades must be the best value Grand Gold for the entire competition. Made from Pinotage, nogal. What a welcome for Michael Jordaan to receive as chairman of WOSA. Four SA wines hitting the highlights.