The Veritas Vertex Award takes its name from the Latin word “vertex” – meaning “highest point” – alluding to the pinnacle of achievement that the award represents. A specially-designed handmade glass trophy was presented to Spier cellar master Frans Smit and his team at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Since he joined the winery in 1996, Smit – a member of the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild – has harnessed more than three centuries of winemaking history to transform Spier into the internationally recognised label that it is today.
Paying tribute to Spier’s illustrious winemaking heritage, the 21 Gables Chenin Blanc is a wine of outstanding pedigree. The 2015 vintage was recognised as one of South Africa’s best Chenin Blancs through its inclusion in the 2016 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge, and recently scored 95 points in Tim Atkin’s Annual South African 2017 Special report.
Spier’s other Double Gold winners were the Ideology Chenin Blanc 2016, Signature Chenin Blanc 2017, Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2016, Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 and Creative Block 3 2012.
“The fact that four of Spier’s six Double Golds were awarded to Chenin Blanc wines – varying both in price and style – illustrates that our decade-long emphasis on the varietal is bearing fruit,” says Smit.
Smit’s philosophy has involved sourcing high-quality grapes from lower-yielding, older vineyards in coastal areas that deliver more consistency.
There have also been various efforts made to preserve flavours. The grapes are now picked at night, when it is significantly cooler. Careful transportation and handling at the cellar, as well as the use of inert nitrogen presses, has also helped to protect flavour complexity.
DOUBLE GOLD
• Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2015
• Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2016
• Ideology Chenin Blanc 2016
• Signature Chenin Blanc 2017
• Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
• Spier Creative Block 3 2012
GOLD
• Spier Creative Block 2 2015
• Spier Creative Block 3 2013
• Spier 21 Gables Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2011 (museum class)
• Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2012 (museum class)
• Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
• Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon (Woolworths) 2014
• Spier The Hutton Cabernet Sauvignon Woolworths 2015
• Spier Farm House Organic Straw Wine Chenin Blanc 2015
• Dancing in Other Words NLH 2012 (museum class)
SILVER
• Spier Signature Chardonnay 2017
• Spier 21 Gables Chardonnay 2015
• Spier Private Collection Chardonnay 2016
• Spier Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2016
• Spier 21 Gables Sauvignon Blanc 2015
• Spier Creative Block 2 Sauvignon Blanc 2017
• Spier Ideology Sauvignon Blanc 2017
• Spier Brut MCC 2014
• Spier Creative Block 3 2014
• Spier Creative Block 5 2014
• Spier Creative Block 5 2013
• Spier Creative Block 8 2013
• Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
• Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
• Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2011
• Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2013
BRONZE
• Spier Signature Sauvignon Blanc 2017
• Spier Vintage Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2017
• Spier These Waves Viognier 2015
• Spier Creative Block 5 2012
• Spier Creative Block 8 2014
• Spier Creative Block 8 2012
• Spier The Hutton Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Woolworths 2014
Photo credit: A Gorman Photography