Multiple Awards for Benguela Cove at the Michelangelo Awards 2023
At the 27th annual Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, Benguela Cove Wine Estate has outdone itself, bringing home Double Gold and Gold medals for its exceptional wines.
The Michelangelo Wine & Spirits Competition is Africa's most significant wine and spirit event. Unique in its international flair, judges from five different continents participate, and over its tenure, 263 judges from 47 countries have taken part. The competition adopts an international 100-point OIV judging system.
Watch the 27th annual Michelangelo Wine & Spirits Awards Ceremony
Our Winemaker Reflects on the Awards
Johann Fourie, cellar master at Benguela Cove, remarks:
"Our recent successes with the Vinography Chardonnay, and Vinography Petit Verdot, have been particularly fulfilling. Meticulous care in the vineyard and the cellar has led to these esteemed recognitions at Michelangelo."
Double Gold achievements for our Vinography Chardonnay 2022 and Vinography Petit Verdot 2021 reaffirm Benguela Cove’s commitment to quality across our wine ranges.
Gold Awards winners at Michelangelo must score at least 89 points out of 100. Vinography Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Benguela Cove Estate Pinot Noir 2022, and Lighthouse Collection Moody Lagoon 2021
Each of these wines offers unique flavours and profiles, from vibrant tropical notes in the Sauvignon Blanc to the velvety finish of the Pinot Noir and the dynamic character of the Moody Lagoon.
Explore Our Award Winners: Shop Now
Vinography Chardonnay 2022 – Double Gold Winner
This wine exuberates elegance. Immaculately constructed to honour fruit with a delicate balance between all the components. The fruit and acidity add to that beautiful and lingering length that is translated into the wine’s intensity and concentration on the palate.
Vinography Petit Verdot 2021 - Double Gold Award
The power of this wine lies in its elegance and all the delicate nuances that define a sophisticated red wine. It delivers on a montage of dark fruit like mulberry, hemmed with a gentle perfume of incense, freshly pruned roses, and hints of dark chocolate.
Vinography Sauvignon Blanc 2022 - Gold Award
Lucious aromas of guava, lemon, quince and candied pineapple are chiselled with hints of floral and fynbos notes. Though expressive, the palate is tuned with a refined chalky texture, plenty of fruit weight and racy acidity. A flinty character persists to balance the creaminess, adding to the depth and character of this wine.
Benguela Cove Estate Pinot Noir 2022 - Gold Award
Expect an intriguing wine where the fruit is balanced with an umami character that makes this wine bold in flavour but with the finesse that Pinot Noir is known for. Turkish delight and baking spice suit the soft, creamy tannin and lean acidity with whiffs of violet that announce its cool climate home.
Lighthouse Collection Moody Lagoon 2021 - Gold Award
The balance of dark fruit and wild cherries in this blend will mould this wine into an array of dishes. Mulberry and blueberry are embraced with notes of cedar, both dried herbs like coriander seeds and the smell of crushing fresh herbs in your hand, leaving faint hints of rosemary behind.
About Our Winemaker:
Johann Fourie, our cellar master and the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year 2015, brings discipline and narrative to the winemaking process at Benguela Cove. With a passion for capturing the essence of the Walker Bay wine region in every bottle, he continues to craft wines that resonate with both the terroir and wine enthusiasts.
"Every sip of our wine should transport the drinker to Walker Bay. It's an honour to be part of Penny and Nick's dynamic team and contribute to the legacy of Benguela Cove." - Johann Fourie
