Winners of all the categories at the prize giving function at Zorgvliet Wines.
Anthology Cabernet Franc 2020 was crowned the overall winner of the Cobie van Oort Cabernet Franc Challenge for 2023.
The top six wines were very close with the scoring by our three acclaimed judges and there were just 0.33 points separating the winner and the runner-up.
The top six wines (in alphabetical order) were Anthology Cabernet Franc 2020, Lynx Cabernet Franc 2020, Morgenster Cabernet Franc 2021, Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2020, Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2020, and Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc 2020.
The top 3 blends, which need to be Cabernet Franc led, (in alphabetical order) are the Delaire Graff The Banghoek 2018, Mitre’s Edge The Mitre 2019, and the Raats Jasper Red Blend 2020.
The Vintage winner was the My Wyn Cabernet Franc 2009, with the Best Value winner being the Landskroon Paul Hugo Red 2021.
Three experienced tasters, Cape Wine Master Lizette Tolken (as chair), Malu Lambert, award winning wine writer and Platter’s taster and Nomande Khubeka, winemaker and PYDA facilitator, were the judges in this blind tasting. Glasses are numbered and poured before the judges go into the tasting area and no discussion is allowed during the process.
Lizette had the following to comment on this year’s Challenge:
"The panel was impressed by the exceptional quality, across the board and the focus the wines displayed. Oak was used judiciously, hardly any of the wines showed undesirable stalky greenness and aggressive tannins, and the wines generally had wonderful typicity and accessibility. They were elegant and lithe, and this clearly reflected in the scores, with 8 wines being only one to one-and-a-half percentage points away from a Top 6 score. The judges loved the wines for its classic aromas, its typical medium-high acidity, silkiness, and the mouth-watering taste, and this reflected in the judges’ scores."
Cabernet Franc Challenge 2023 winners
Trophy winner
- Anthology Cabernet Franc 2020
Vintage winner
- My Wyn Cabernet Franc 2009
Value winner
- Landskroon Paul Hugo Red 2021
Gold medals
- Chamonix Cabernet Franc 2021
- Doolhof Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2020
- Hillcrest Saartjie Single Vineyard Selection Cabernet Franc 2020
- Joubert Tradauw Reserve Cabernet Franc 2017
- Marklew Cabernet Franc 2021
- Mitre's Edge Cabernet Franc 2020
- Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2020
- Rainbow's End Cabernet Franc 2021
- Rainbow's End Cabernet Franc Limited Release 2021
- Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2019
- Villiera The Clan 2018
Silver medals
- Druk my Niet Cabernet Franc 2018
- Hermanuspietersfontein Swartskaap 2018
- High Constantia Cabernet Franc 2016
- Lynx Reserve Range Cabernet Franc 2019
- My Wyn Cabernet Franc 2020
- Ondine Cabernet Franc 2017
Gold medals - Cabernet Franc-led blends
- Chamonix Troika 2021
- Delaire Graff The Banghoek 2018
- Landskroon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2021
- Landskroon Paul Hugo Red 2021
- Mitre’s Edge The Mitre 2019
- Raats Jasper Red Blend 2020
Cabernet Franc Carnival 2023
Lovers of this varietal, and anybody not knowing it in the pure form and not only as part of a Bordeaux style blend, should make their way to Vrede en Lust on 27 May from 11h00 - 16h00. Around 30 wines made from Cab Franc will be available for tasting at the 6th Cabernet Franc Carnival, hosted in the Vineyard Hall. There will also be some rosé made from Cabernet Franc. Most of the winning wines will be available for tasting.
Ticket holders will receive a branded crystal red wine glass and R60 food voucher on arrival. There will be comfortable seating and live music for a relaxing day. Tickets are R350 and available on the online ticketing company Quicket. Only 450 tickets will be sold and only if any are still available on the day will these be sold at the entrance to the festival.