Peter Falke Wines wins the Cabernet Sauvignon Challenge 2025

Monday, 21 July, 2025

Cabernet Sauvignon Challenge

Peter Falke Signature Kailani Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 was the winning wine of this year's Cabernet Sauvignon Challenge.

Cabernet is a widely grown thick-skinned variety that’s been in South Africa long enough for the majority of winemakers to have had some experience of making wine from it. Regarded as one of the premium varieties, it is often the top wine of producers’ ranges.

The expectation was therefore high for the three judges of this Challenge on June 19th in Cape Town. Organised by Events by Celia, it’s the third time a Cabernet Challenge has been run. The experienced tasters were Cape Wine Masters Christine Rudman (as chair) and winemaker Clive Torr, along with Suzanne Potgieter, editor of Die Burger Versnit.

The wines were judged blind, as is usual with these challenges, using the 100 point system. No background information about origin, vintage or oaking was available, and no discussion took place until after the individual score sheets had been handed to the auditor. In addition, no pre-tasting guidance was given, the panel tasted what was in the glass then gave the score he/she thought the wine deserved. The judging was audited by Cecil Kilpin and Co.

Although the majority of the wines came from Stellenbosch/Simonsberg, other areas were also represented, as far afield as Robertson. Prices ranged from R880 to R135, but R200-R300 was where most producers pitched their prices. Vintages ranged from 2019 to 2023, with 2022 accounting for just under half the wines entered.

Unsurprisingly, the panel awarded ten of the wines Gold (90-100 points), and many receiving Silver medals (80-89 points). There were no faulty wines, which spoke of the high standard of the line-up.

For the discussion after the judging the panel was given the vintages, where they commented that in general the wines had Cabernet typicity, and most were accessible for current enjoyment, even if the vintages were youthful. There was good tannin management: gone were the days of having to cellar a cabernet for a few years before it could be served. Overall the wines reflected vineyard health and winemaker expertise.

The Golds stood out with their well-defined fruit, complexity, structural harmony and enough concentration for further ageing. The consensus was that they were all drinking beautifully. The overall winner was Peter Falke Signature Kailani 2020 from Stellenbosch, which scored a significant point higher than the other Golds.

The wines rated Silver, were either found to have quieter aromas, or were a lighter style, or could have benefitted from a bit more time in bottle to fully integrate, but even these were of good quality.

The overall winning wine receives a floating trophy.