Boschendal’s May Highlights:
- Boschendal Appellation Series Elgin Chardonnay 2016 named SA’s best Chardonnay at International Wine Competition (IWC) in the UK, London
- Boschendal 1685 S&M 2015: awarded gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards
- Boschendal Appellation Series Elgin Chardonnay 2016: awarded gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards
- Boschendal Heritage Black Angus: awarded gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards
- Boschendal 1685 Shiraz 2016: awarded silver at Syrah Du Monde
South Africa, 29 May 2018: For a remarkable second year in a row, the Boschendal Appellation Series Elgin Chardonnay 2016 was named not only the Best Elgin Chardonnay but also took home the trophy for being South Africa’s top Chardonnay at the International Wine Challenge (IWC). So far it has been a stand-out year for Boschendal. Not only is the estate celebrating over 300 years of viti- and viniculture, but it’s also garnered a multitude of awards in 2018 – including 21 awards in May alone. As well as its IWC wins, Boschendal took home three golds, five silvers and 12 bronze awards at the 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), plus silver at the 2018 Syrah Du Monde awards.
Winemaker Lizelle Gerber says she was extremely pleased with the results, “There’s that special, moment when all the hard work pays off. The IWC, Decanter Awards and Syrah Du Monde play a significant role in benchmarking wines around the world and it is a real honour to be recognised by all three and a testament to the team’s wine making abilities and hard work. I’m especially happy with the Elgin Chardonnay being named SA’s top Chardonnay for the second year in a row – it’s a huge success.”
Gerber says that in terms of the Decanter Awards, she was particularly proud of three of Boschendal’s gold-winning wines: “I love the 1685 S&M for its spice and purity of fruit, the Elgin Chardonnay for its golden green hue and elegant sophistication, and the Black Angus for its exceptional depth and complexity. I was very pleased with their victory at the Decanter, which is known for the calibre of its panel and rigour of its judging process.”
Syrah Du Monde awards are also highly coveted, with 347 wines from all over the world competing for just 115 medals. Boschendal’s 1685 Shiraz 2016 scored an impressive 90 points out of 100, securing it a prestigious silver medal. It’s another one of Gerber’s favourite vintages, “24 countries took part in this year’s awards, which shows the burgeoning popularity of Syrah and Shiraz varietals. Our 1685 Shiraz is matured for 14 months which secures a highly complex, with dark berries and pepper spice on the nose and deep black fruit on the palate.”
Gerber concludes that with the weather cooling down, the 1685 is the perfect choice for winter – especially when paired with dishes like a hearty, slow cooked beef or lamb stew or a Madagascan-peppercorn-crusted tuna steak.
BOSCHENDAL, A TRULY MODERN WINE ESTATE
One of the most established and iconic wine estates in Franschhoek, Boschendal has reinvented itself to appeal to a new generation of wine lovers. The estate’s approach to wine encourages visitors to understand the origin of the wine, the winemaking process and taste the terroir in each glass.
Boschendal’s young winemakers are driving change by experimenting creatively while preserving traditional winemaking techniques to produce premium wines, such as the limited release Vin de Memoire Chardonnay and a range of contemporary wines, served exclusively at The Werf Restaurant.
While Boschendal exports to over 50 countries, the winemaking team endeavours to entice the palates of both international and local wine lovers with modern wines and welcomes all visitors to explore the farm, which has undergone a true metamorphosis serving delicious dining options, an abundant five-acre food garden and the philosophy of working sustainably with nature to produce real food.
