The Holden Manz Cabernet Franc 2016, entered in the Older Vintage category, scored the highest marks of the 43 wines entered in this year’s competition.
The top six wines in the general category, which had the most entries, are in alphabetical order - Marklew Cabernet Franc 2019, Nelson’s Creek Cabernet Franc 2020, Rainbow’s End Cabernet Franc 2019, Rainbow’s End Limited Release Cabernet Franc 2019, Ridgeback Cabernet Franc and the Rietvallei Cabernet Franc 2016.
In the Blends Category (alphabetical order), the following wines were awarded the top three placings. High Constantia Sebastian 2009, Landskroon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2019 and Ridgeback Journey 2018.
The winner of the Best Value award went to the Nelson’s Creek Cabernet Franc 2020.
Other than these 12 wines, another 17 wines across the three categories were awarded gold medals, which in total represents 63% of all wines entered.
Christine Rudman, who led the challenge tasting panel, said there was less herbaceousness across the range than in previous Challenges and that the panel was also very impressed by the older vintages, which proves the maturation potential of the varietal. “The best wines had balance, elegance, suppleness and complexity, showing fruit purity with tertiary perfumes and flavours of violets and graphite. The oak regime was commendable, in harmony yet supplying a core for strength and ageing. The panel was particularly impressed by three wines in the older vintage category (2013-2016), which proves the ageing potential of this popular varietal”.
The five judges for the Cabernet Franc Challenge, who tasted the 43 entries at Vrede and Lust Wine Farm in March – from left to right – Malu Lambert, Mike Bampfield–Duggan, Christine Rudman (Chairperson), Greg Mutambe and Samarie Smith.
Although fewer wineries entered this year due to a shortage of stock, the overall quality and consistency of the wines entered seems to be growing annually.
Entries were received from Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek, Robertson, Darling, Elgin, Constantia, Durbanville, Wellington and Coastal.
CABERNET FRANC CHALLENGE 2021
OVERALL HIGHEST SCORING WINE – COBIE VAN OORT CAB FRANC CHALLENGE TROPHY
Holden Manz Cabernet Franc 2016
TOP SIX SINGLE VARIETALS (ALPHABETICAL)
Marklew Cabernet Franc 2019
Nelson's Creek Cabernet Franc 2020
Rainbow's End Cabernet Franc 2019
Rainbow's End Limited Release Cabernet Franc 2019
Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2019
Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2016
VINTAGE – WINNER
Holden Manz Cabernet Franc 2016
TOP THREE BLENDS (ALPHABETICAL)
High Constantia Sebastiaan 2009
Landskroon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2019
Ridgeback Journey 2018
BEST VALUE – WINNER
Nelson's Creek Cabernet Franc 2020
GOLD MEDALS SINGLE VARIETAL (ALPHABETICAL)
Anthology Cabernet Franc 2018
De Meye Cabernet Franc 2019
Hillcrest Saartjie Single Vineyard Collection Cabernet Franc 2019
Hogan Mirror for the Sun Cabernet Franc 2019
Holden Manz Cabernet Franc 2017
Jordan Cabernet Franc 2019
Le Pommier Angle Peur Cabernet Franc 2019
Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2019
Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2018
Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2017
Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2018
Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2018
Vrede en Lust Artisan Range Cabernet Franc 2017
Whalehaven Cabernet Franc 2014
VINTAGE GOLD MEDALS (ALPHABETICAL)
Ondine Cabernet Franc 2013
Whalehaven Cabernet Franc 2013
BLENDS GOLD MEDALS (ALPHABETICAL)
Longridge Ekliptika 2017