2021 National Wine Challenge Results
We are extremely honoured and excited to have so many of our collection awarded by this prestigious wine competition. The National Wine Challenge, incorporating Top 100 SA Wines, is the premier fine-wine-only wine competition in SA and our results are as follow:
Grand Cru National Champion Best in Class
Rietvallei Red Muscadel 2018
Top 100 & Double Platinum awards
Rietvallei Red Muscadel 2018
Rietvallei Estéanna Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Rietvallei Estéanna Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot 2016
Rietvallei 1908 Red Muscadel 2018
Double Gold awards
Rietvallei Dark Cin 2019
Double Silver awards
Rietvallei Estate 2016
Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2020
According to Robin von Holdt, CEO of Buybetterwine.com, strong competition worldwide remains on the attack, but it is obvious for now that ascendancy for SA fine wine remains the current trajectory. “Covid 19 and the knock-on implications both financially and with regards to trade have been hugely damaging in many ways. Suffice to say that the industry has been dealt a number of blows… Fortunately, the wine industry culture is resilient and is one of hard, enthusiastic work together with a life-long commitment. Because of these characteristics, the future is secure. The path to achieving this however remains difficult for many. Thus, we too continue our justified and committed praise of SA’s fine wines at all opportunities and in all situations.”
#rietvalleiwines #rietvalleiawards #nationalwinechallenge
2021 Cabernet Franc Challenge Results
This year marks the 6th annual Cabernet Franc Challenge in South Africa with a total of 43 entries. We are pleased to announce that our JMB Cabernet Franc 2016 has been rated among the Top 6 of Cabernet Franc’s nationwide.
Christine Rudman, who led the challenge tasting panel, said there was less herbaceousness across the range than in previous Challenges and that the panel was also very impressed by the older vintages, which proves the maturation potential of the varietal. “The best wines had balance, elegance, suppleness, and complexity, showing fruit purity with tertiary perfumes and flavours of violets and graphite. The oak regime was commendable, in harmony yet supplying a core for strength and aging”.
The JMB Cabernet Franc is a dark and complex wine, rich in flavour with a beautiful nose. The pallet delivers wonderful notes of toasted oak, blackcurrant and coffee. Only the very best grapes are selected for this premium wine. Left on new French oak for 24 months, this elegantly wooded wine is the perfect partner for those fireplace nights fast approaching
To place your order for our award winning JMB Cabernet Franc 2016, please visit our online shop https://rietvallei.co.za/product/jmb-cabernet-franc-2016
#rietvalleiwines #rietvalleiawards #nationalwinechallenge
2020 HKIWSC Award Results
We are honoured to have received a Gold award for our Rietvallei Estate 2016 from the globally prestigious Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition (HKIWSC). The HKIWSC is regarded as the most respected wine and spirit competition in Asia.
This year’s, 48 Hong Kong-based judges were charged with triple-blind tasting over 1000 entries, with an additional layer of “blindness” from to judge to judge due to strict distancing measures. We’re pleased that our Rietvallei Estate 2016 received a score of 90+.
Rietvallei’s sixth-generation proprietor and winemaker Kobus Burger was curious to see what distinctive blend might be created from a vintage that was fixed in time and place as if by decree. On the 18th of March 2016, a limited number of cases of grapes were hand-picked from each of Rietvallei’s prize vineyards, roughly in proportion to their acreage on the farm. The grapes were then all fermented together in a single tank and matured for 36 months in 300-litre French oak barrels. After bottling a further 12 months of bottle maturation was allowed before final packaging and release.
This complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Tinta Barocca, Cinsault, Roobernet, and Cabernet Franc is truly a unique wine, representing all that is Rietvallei Estate. To place your order for our award-winning Rietvallei Estate 2016, please visit our online shop https://rietvallei.co.za/product/estate-2016/
#rietvalleiwines #rietvalleiawards #HKIWSC
Two Gold Medals for Rietvallei Wine Estate @ 2020 Veritas Awards
We are happy to announce that both our Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2019 & Rietvallei Shiraz 2018 has received gold medals at the 2020 Veritas Awards.
Synonymous with excellence in wine and brandy, the Veritas Awards is the longest running and most prestigious wine and brandy competition in South Africa, dating back to 1991. In addition to the two Gold medals we also received two Silver Outstanding, seven Silver and four Bronze medals.
An overview of the Rietvallei Estate gold medal wines:
The Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2019 is a full-bodied, complex wine with excellent fruit and wood- integration. Lots of work in the vineyard and minimal interference in the cellar, allows this wine to express its terroir to the fullest. A complex nose, rich in citrus aromas and complemented by some spicy, toasted oak notes. The palate is rich and creamy, with a mixture of ripe orange, lemon and lime flavours.
The Rietvallei Shiraz 2018 has an intense ruby red colour and expresses flavours of berry fruit, ground pepper spice and peachy fruit. The palate is alive with berry fruit and the peppery, spicy and toasted oak flavours are well- integrated. A full-bodied wine with pleasant ripe tannins and a smooth, lingering aftertaste.
To place your order for the above wines please visit our online shop:
https://rietvallei.co.za/product/jmb-chardonnay-2019/
https://rietvallei.co.za/product/shiraz-2018/
#veritas2020 #rietvallei
Coenie de Villiers Under The Stars
Award-winning South African singer-songwriter Coenie de Villiers performed under the stars at the prestigious Rietvallei Wine Estate located in Robertson on the 7th of November 2020.
It was a truly unforgettable night filled with storytelling, piano playing, and singing which included a diverse selection of Coenie’s songs from various albums over the years.
The night was greatly enjoyed and was much needed for many people after lock-down to experience such a great event out under the stars, surrounded by vineyards and the beautiful Robertson mountains.
We would like to thank Coenie de Villiers, the Optog team, and King Price Insurance for making this all possible.
#rietvallei #optog
Rietvallei Sauvignon Blanc 2020 – Prescient Top 10
We are happy to announce that our Rietvallei Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2020 received Top 10 Status in this year’s Sauvignon Blanc Report.
The Sauvignon Blanc Unwooded Report convened by Winemag.co.za and sponsored by Prescient received 115 entries in total. The wines were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, the scoring was done according to the 100-point scale. The panel consisted of Christian Eedes from Winemag and Roland Peens and James Pietersen, both of Wine Cellar, Cape Town merchants and cellarers of fine wine.
Feedback from the judges:“A hint of reduction before pear, peach and citrus with notes of blossom and fynbos in the background.The palate is lean and fresh with a saline finish – supremely elegant.”
To place your order for this wine please visit our online shop:
https://rietvallei.co.za/product/sauvignon-blanc-2020/
#SauvignonBlancReport 2020 #rietvallei
Gold Medals for Rietvallei Wine Estate @ 2020 Michelangelo Awards
We are happy to announce that both our Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2019 & Rietvallei Red Muscadel 2018 has received gold medals at the 2020 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards.
The 2020 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards received 1565 entries in total this year. Gold medal winners are awarded at-least 89 points out of a possible 100, placing gold medal winners in the top 30% of all entries.
An overview of the Rietvallei Estate gold medal wines:
The Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2019 is a full-bodied, complex wine with excellent fruit and wood- integration. Lots of work in the vineyard and minimal interference in the cellar, allows this wine to express its terroir to the fullest. A complex nose, rich in citrus aromas and complemented by some spicy, toasted oak notes. The palate is rich and creamy, with a mixture of ripe orange, lemon and lime flavours.
The Rietvallei Red Muscadel 2018 is full-bodied and rich, yet gentle. A floral, muscat bouquet comes through on the nose, with typical raisin-ish sweetness and an intense, rich flavour that lingers on the palate and follows through on the aftertaste, while the acidity compliments and balances the sweetness.
To place your order for the above wines please visit our online shop:
https://rietvallei.co.za/product/jmb-chardonnay-2019
https://rietvallei.co.za/product/red-muscadel-2018-500ml/
#michelangelo2020 #rietvallei
Rietvallei Natural Chardonnay 2019 receive Double Gold Award at National Wine Challenge (NWC)
The premier National Wine Challenge aims to identify winning wines by cultivar and blend, with medals awarded for top- scoring wines.
Rietvallei Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 – Double Platitum Top 100
Rietvallei Natural Chardonnay 2019 – Double Gold
JMB Chardonnay 2019 – Double Silver
Rietvallei Chenin Blanc 2019 – Double Silver
JMB Cabernet Franc 2016 – Double Silver
Estèanna Red Cabernet Sauvignon Cab Franc Petit Verdot 2016 – Double Silver
1908 Muscadel & Rietvallei Red Muscadel earns 91 point at Winemag
Our 1908 Muscadel 2015 and Rietvallei Red Muscadel 2018 received 91 points on Winemag under the sweet and fortified catergory.
Gold and Silver at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2020
Our JMB Cabernet Franc 2014 received Gold at ther Sommelier Wine Awards 2019.
Our Estéanna Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot 2016 received Silver at ther Sommelier Wine Awards 2019.
