2017 Michelangelo International Wine + Spirits Awards Revealed

It's 2 weeks before the 2018 Michelangelo Wine Awards are revealed. Here's a reminder of how Du Toitskloof did in 2017.

Published 18 October 2017
Du Toitskloof Wines was awarded two coveted Double Gold medals and another staggering four Gold medals at Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards 2017.

Double Gold medals were awarded to both Du Toitskloof Dimension Red 2012 and the Cape Ruby 2010 port dessert wine, while the four Gold medals went to Du Toitskloof Pinotage 2016, Land’s End Syrah 2015, Red Muscadel 2015 dessert wine and their premium Quest Méthode Cap Classique.

For 21 years Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards have been hosting their annual competition, unique in South Africa, with an average of 1800 entries from South Africa and abroad. This year's event took place at the Longridge Wine Estate in Stellenbosch with a panel of judges representing 22 countries.

Du Toitskloof Dimension Red 2012 has become one of Du Toitskloof Wines' flagship products, winning a Double Gold medal in 2012, a Gold in 2015 and a Double Gold at the most recent Michelangelo Awards. This graceful, full-bodied red wine is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinotage with a lively pomegranate hue and aromas of prunes, dark berries, chocolate and cassis on the nose.

The other 2017 Double Gold winner was the Cape Ruby 2010 dessert wine. Ten years ago Du Toitskloof Cape Ruby 2005 took home a Silver medal at the Michelangelo Awards and clearly made a come back this year. This beautiful port wine is made using grapes from three classic Portuguese varietals; Tinta Barocca, Souzao and Touriga Naçional and with those alluring smoky prune aromas and whiffs of herbs and spices, one can only understand why it took a double whammy home this year.

Moving on to the first of the four Gold awards, the Du Toitskloof Pinotage 2016 has made its 2015 Double Gold predecessor proud by taking its own award this year. This medium-bodied red wine is dark ruby in colour and takes you on a trip of ripe plums, cherries, chocolate, soft scents of dried banana and sweet, oaky vanilla.

New kid on the block, the Land’s End brand from Elim along the South Coast, was obtained by Du Toitskloof Wines in 2016. This year the Land’s End Syrah 2015 took its first medal back to the Breedekloof valley and we think that you should keep your eye on this one as it distinguishes itself as unique from the rest of the crowd - just as its label subtly suggests.

If you like “soetes” (as the locals like to call it), Du Toitskloof was awarded Gold for another of their dessert wines, the Red Muscadel 2015. This is the second year in a row that Du Toitskloof Red Muscadel takes home Michelangelo Gold. The undeniable quality that shows with every smooth and lingering finish, leaves one’s senses tingling with sweet raisin perfumes, notes of honey, roses, tropical mango and litchi flavours.

Finally, we celebrate our premium Quest Méthode Cap Classique that was awarded its first Michelangelo Gold Award since being launched. This crisp sparkling wine is 100% Chardonnay and abounds with hints of citrus and fruit-driven aromas.

Congratulations to Chief winemaker Shawn Thomson and his team at Du Toitskloof Wines for this marvellous achievement in producing top quality wines and drawing attention once again to the Breedekloof Valley and all her potential as she slowly awakens.