Fleur du Cap crowned SA top red at 2015 Trophy Wine Show

Fleur du Cap has triumphed at the 2015 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show as Best Red Wine Overall and Best Shiraz, winning two trophies with a 2013 wine from the Bergkelder Selection.

This phenomenal feat by the Bergkelder Selection Shiraz 2013 is the third major achievement by Fleur du Cap so far this year following gold medals for the Unfiltered Chardonnay 2014 at Chardonnay du Monde 2015 in France, and the Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 at Concours Mondial de Bruxelle 2015 held in Italy.

One of South Africa’s most highly contested wine competitions, the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show attracted 1082 entries this year. The judging panel included international wine commentators, Singapore-based Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, editor-in-chief of The Wine Advocate and eRobertParker.com; John Gilman, editor of www.viewfromthecellar.com in New York; and Steven Spurrier, Chairman of the Decanter Worldwide Wine Awards in the UK.

The winning Fleur du Cap Bergkelder Selection Shiraz 2013 was crafted predominantly from cool climate vineyards in the Cape Agulhas area by the accomplished winemaking team at Die Bergkelder in Stellenbosch. Careful maturation with primarily French and a smaller component of American oak lends well-integrated spicy nuances and contemporary flair to this elegant Shiraz.

“Sweet cherry and plums with traces of white pepper are evident on the nose while the palate is full yet soft with layers of berry flavours. Gentle oaking imparts hints of oak spices and a good tannic backbone,” says winemaker Wim Truter who takes over as Fleur du Cap Cellarmaster at die Bergkelder from Andrea Freeborough in July.

The elegance of this wine reflects its cool climate origins and is affirmation that Fleur du Cap’s pursuit of regional excellence in sourcing grapes from diverse regions that are most suited to capture a particular style and varietal character is paying off for the Fleur du Cap team.

“We rely heavily on our viticulturist, Bennie Liebenberg, to deliver the goods in terms of finding and nurturing the pick of the crop in diverse vineyard sites throughout the Western Cape that give us the necessary building blocks in the cellar to craft our wines,” adds Wim.

Fleur du Cap Bergkelder Selection Shiraz 2013 is available at leading wine outlets country-wide or the Fleur du Cap cellar door at Die Bergkelder in Stellenbosch for R79 per bottle. The wine is also available for purchase online at www.vinoteque.co.za.