Thursday 29 May 2014

Should I pay attention to the OMTWS?


On Wednesday the 2014 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show (OMTWS) results were released, and I found myself to be quite perplexed at what I saw when making my way through them. I think what probably set me off was the fact that all of the wines entered by Cederberg Private Cellar were to be found in the Bronze category. The more I paged through the Bronze winners, the more dumbfounded I became. The shear amount of high quality wines deemed to be worthy of only Bronze is quite worrying. So I took 10 wines (8 Bonze winners and 2 Silver winners) and compared the OMTWS ratings to a few other ratings and this is what I found…

The OMTWS categories are as follow:
Gold = 90 points and over (superlative, world class)
Silver = 80 to 89 points (excellent, wine of distinction)
Bronze = 70 to 79 points (good to very good)
(This information along with anything you want to know about the competition or the judges can be found at www.dogreatthings.co.za/trophywineshow)
Sijnn Red 2010

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)
Wine Spectator: 93 points
Christian Eedes: 90 points
 
Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2010

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)
Robert Parker: 93 points
Christian Eedes: 92 points
Veritas Double Gold
 
Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)
Miguel Chan: 92 points
 
Rustenberg John X Merriman 2011

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)
Neal Martin (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate): 93 points
 
Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2010

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)
Received the International Chardonnay Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2012
 
Ernie Els Proprietor’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)
Veritas Double Gold
 
Warwick Trilogy 2006

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)
Wine Enthusiast: 91 points
 
Meerlust Rubicon 2005

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)
Wine Enthusiast: 91 points
 
Meerlust Rubicon 2009

Old Mutual Silver: (80 to 89 points)
Neal Martin (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate): 92 points
 
Beeslaar Pinotage 2012

Old Mutual Sliver: (80 to 89 points)
Christian Eedes: 94 points

Look, I know that people have different palates, but we are not talking about a couple of points here. The difference between a score in the 70’s and one in the 90’s is quite significant. To award the Eagles’ Nest 2010 Shiraz a Bronze really bamboozles me. It is arguably the best Shiraz in South Africa at the moment. The question that I am left with is should I even pay attention to the OMTWS, or do I turn a blind eye, pour myself another glass of wine and think happier thoughts?