The first Wine Challenge of 2024 organised by Events by Celia was the Red Blends Challenge. It took place on 22 February in Cape Town. Three experienced tasters were the judges of this wine competition: Cape Wine Masters Ginette de Fleuriot and Christine Rudman (as chair) as well as well-known journalist and international judge Fiona McDonald.
The tasting was in fïve parts: Bordeaux styles, followed by Cabernet-dominant non-Bordeaux, then Cape blends with 30%+ Pinotage, Shiraz-dominant and finally ‘Other’. The tasters were told only what the blends or varieties were, without any vintage or origin information. Judging was according to the international 100 point system, and all wines were evaluated blind in the presence of an auditor – Cecil Kilpin & Co. There was no discussion until after the tasting, when overall impressions per category were called for.
There were 8 golds awarded, 90 points and above, of which half were Bordeaux blends. Out of these, Carmen Stevens’ Petrichor (W.O. Coastal) was the clear winner, the others being Lovane Isikhati 2019 from Stellenbosch, Mitre’s Edge Sholto 2020 (W.O. Simonsberg-Stellenbosch) and Welbedacht Cricket Pitch 2022 from Groenberg-Wellington. The next best performing category was Cape Blends with two golds, Pulpit Rock Louisa 2019 ex-Swartland and Jakkalsvlei Mount Cuvee 2022 (W.O. Western Cape). One Shiraz blend earned gold, Truter Taste Shiraz-Cabernet 2023 (W.O. W. Cape), with Survivor Reunion 2022 (W.O. Coastal) representing blends that fell outside the above categories.
The panel was impressed with the overall creativity shown: of the Bordeaux blends Petrichor was a 5-part blend, which included 4% Carménère, a rare Bordeaux variety. Lovane and Mitre’s Edge's top performing blends were both Cabernet-led, while Welbedacht’s dominant variety was Merlot at 42%. Of the Cape blends, Pulpit Rock included Pinotage, Cabernet and Shiraz while Jakkalsvlei was Pinotage/Shiraz, with the Truter wine using equal Shiraz/Cabernet. Survivor's blend was the most individual, as it unusually had Pinot Noir at 45%, along with Pinotage and Cinsaut.
The rest of the awarded entries won Silver, scoring well above the 80-89 margin, more than half at 88/89, with no Bronze awarded, reflecting the general quality of the wines submitted. The vintages stretched from 2018 to 2023, with the majority at 2022.
In general, the panel was impressed with the judicious use of oak, most of the wines had harmonious tannins and were accessible, despite their youth.In fact, there was overall attractive drinkability. The most gravitas and ageing potential was found amongst the Bordeaux blends, not surprising given their varietal base.
Results of the Red Blends Challenge 2024
Winner
- Carmen Stevens Petrichor 2022
Gold
- Jakkalsvlei Mount Cuvée Cape Blend 2022
- Lovane Isikhati 2019
- Mitre's Edge Sholto 2020
- Pulpit Rock Louisa Cape Red Blend 2019
- Survivor Reunion 2022
- Truter Taste Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
- Welbedacht Cricket Pitch 2022
Silver
- Arendskloof Shiraz Tannat 2021
- Baleia Vinho Rochas 2022
- Brandvlei Halftien 2022
- Carmen Stevens Nemrac 2021
- Dieu Donné Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2022
- Hazendal Heritage Red 2020
- Louisvale Boris 2020
- Peter Falke Ruby 2018
- Survivor Cellar Master Pendulum 2022
- Truter Agaat John David 2021
- Villiersdorp 3L Slow Bossieveld 2023