The focus of the Minority Report is on wines from varieties whose respective total plantings do not exceed 5 000ha. South Africa’s eight most widely planted varieties (Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Colombar, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinotage, Chardonnay, and Merlot in that order) all have plantings of over 5 000ha and together makeup 82% of the national vineyard – this is a chance for the more subordinate varieties to shine!
There were 77 entries (31 white wine and 46 red), and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale.
The Top 10 is as follows:
Top 10
Whites
94 Olifantsberg Grenache Blanc 2021
94 Thor Vintners Lara Semillon 2022
93 Constantia Uitsig Semillon 2021
92 Dornier Semillon 2021
92 Mischa Roussanne 2022
Reds
94 Lowerland Tolbos Tannat 2021
94 Wildeberg Terroirs Cinsault 2022
92 Olifantsberg Grenache Noir 2021
92 Painted Wolf Lycaon Grenache 2021
92 Thor Vintners Gentis The Bishop Petit Verdot 2020
“That only eight varieties dominate so much of South Africa’s national vineyards seems strategically problematic to me,” says Christian Eedes, editor of Winemag.co.za and panel chairman. “The impact of climate change and the fact that the market is ultimately not static both mean that the industry would be well served by a greater range of varieties.”
To read the report in full, including key findings, tasting notes for the top wines, and scores on the 100-point quality scale for all wines entered, visit Winemag.co.za.
