Established in 2006 to showcase excellence of selected vineyards, KWV The Mentors is a shining example of the stylistic evolution that has been taking place across the KWV portfolio. This brand has steadily been gaining a reputation as one of South Africa’s most reputable – and arguably most awarded – wine brands.

A stringent selection process, which sees only the finest, hand crafted wines bottled under the KWV The Mentors label, has resulted in a collection that is highly regarded among wine judges and wine lovers globally.

According to Fourie, the two gold-winning wines are textbook examples of the philosophy behind KWV The Mentors portfolio.The Petit Verdot is from an experimental batch, resulting in a unique wine only available in exceptional years. “In 2012 theconditions in the vineyard and cellar worked in perfect unison; this allowed us to bottle the moment and share it with people,” says Fourie.

The Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon 2013 is the first Bordeaux-style white wine released under The Mentors label since 2009. Chief Viticulturist, Marco Ventrella, sourced the fruit from Groenekloof in Darling which has low-yielding clay soils. “There is a specific character you get from these vineyards,” he says “there is a lot of passion fruit, with some asparagus and green beans. It will age absolutely beautifully.”

More recently this wine was also scored 90/100 on eRobertParker.com, the latest in a string of high ratings following Diamond at the Triton Express Winemakers Choice Awards and Gold at both the International Wine & Spirit Competition andMichelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards.

• KWV announced that the new range of KWV TheMentors 2014 whites and 2013 reds will be released in July.