South Africa, 7 October 2020: Iconic winery Boschendal received an outstanding six accolades at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards this year. The 335-year-old Franschhoek Valley winery’s 1685 range was particularly stand-out, winning three awards including a Platinum for the 1685 Chardonnay 2019 and Double Gold for Brut NV.
The 1685 range of wines were created to honour the rich heritage of Boschendal and are presented in the very same bottle shape which was originally crafted on the Estate generations ago. Made to truly capture and celebrate the true potential of the cultivars crafted – these wines are elegant and refined, yet generous and expressive. The 1685 Chardonnay 2019 is especially so –a bold statement wine with rich citrus zest, cinnamon and nutmeg on the nose, tropical fruit flavours and balanced complexity from barrel maturation. Certainly deserving of the impressive Platinum accolade.
The 1685 range Reds did not disappoint and were also awarded with Golds for the Stellenbosch Cabernet (2017) and Shiraz (2018). These wines are carefully blended using components from only the best vineyard blocks. The Shiraz for instance is a blend from Stellenbosch, Elgin and Swartland – each terroir giving the wine a different layer of intrigue and character, together creating a wine with intense complexity, elegance and sumptuousness.
Boschendal’s iconic Cap Classique Brut NV with its fresh citrus finish and brioche aromas also had a stand-out competition, securing a Double Gold. The investment Boschendal has made in the Elgin valley is showing rewards with two wines from this sought-after terroir being awarded. Grand Cuvée Brut (2014) a delicate balance of pear, almond and crisp apple as well as the refined, beautifully balanced and crisp Elgin Sauvignon Blanc (2019) both received Gold accolades.
The Michelangelo Awards were established in 1997 to offer South African producers the opportunity to have their wines adjudicated locally by a highly experienced and respected panel of professionals from around the globe. All entries are judged blind by panels of 5 or 6 judges, using the 100-point international recognised OIV judging system.
