The number of Double Golds awarded to Robertson Wine Valley members has risen from one last year to an impressive five in 2019. Overall our producers brought home an inspiring 100-plus total of medals this year, ample proof, should we need it, of just how highly their wines are rated blindly by panels of local and international judges.

The much-anticipated results of the 2019 Veritas Awards were announced at a formal function late last week.  After 30 years this contest has established itself as an authoritative quality guideline for both wine and brandy connoisseurs. Veritas stickers on bottles are also the ones that consumers trust and look out for. This year the Silver class was divided into two, with wines rated from 80 – 85 as Silver and those scored 86-89 as Silver Outstanding.

The cellars that attracted Double Gold are Bon Courage for their white Muscadel 2019 and Noble Late Harvest 2018, De Wetshof for their Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2018, Graham Beck for Cuvee Clive 2014 and Viljoensdrift for their River Grandeur Pinotage 2017.

Gold medals were awarded to valley producers for a wide range of wines. The Chardonnay class attracted two:  De Wetshof Bateleur 2016 and. Robertson Winery’ s Constitution Road 2017. Bon Courage was the only cellar to collect Gold for Colombard for their Andre’s Fame Colombar 2019. Many Silvers will adorn valley Sauvignon Blancs soon, both Silver Outstanding and the plain Silver.

Graham Beck’s Blanc de Blancs MCC 2015 and 2014 won Gold as did Paul René’s Pinot Noir/Chardonnay Brut Rosé.  In the Shiraz class, RWV members scored well, with a dozen wines getting Silver Outstanding. 

The fortified section saw Gold awarded to Viljoensdrift Moscato Blanc 2016, to Bon Courage for their Red Muscadel 2019 and to McGregor for their Red Muscadel 2016.  In the Museum Class Rietvallei’s Esteanna Red 2009 will see a Silver sticker on its bottle.

Altogether the cellars of Robertson Wine Valley brought home close to 100 Double Gold, Gold, Silver Outstanding and Silver medals along with a handful of Bronze – a glittering pile with which to finish the competition season.  The Double Gold and Gold rated wines will all be there for the public to taste at a series of popular Veritas events across the country – these start in Cape Town on Friday, October 25, go on to Johannesburg and Durban and finish in Port Elizabeth on November 13.

In conclusion, it’s worth mentioning that the Veritas Awards are the oldest and probably the most prestigious wine contest for wines and brandies in South Africa. It is also the only one where the organisers do not benefit or profit financially from the event.