THERE were 207 entries in the 2019 Shiraz SA Challenge, including 36 Shiraz-driven blends. The judges were Cape Wine Masters Andy Roediger (panel chair) and Elsie Pells, cellarmasters Charles Hopkins (De Grendel) and Edmund Terblanche (La Motte), wine writer/brand manager Samarie Smith (Benguela Cove), international judge Claus Fischer of Germany (Mundus Vini), wine consultant Jeanne-Mari de Villiers (VinJeanne) and Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Morgan Steyn.

The First Sighting has to be among the best-value laureates at R90 a bottle; Driehoek and Flagstone are usually in the reckoning, having such good track records; the team at Babylonstoren could be ‘hitting their straps’; at R600 a bottle Quoin Rock’s (re)positioning statement is a bold one; and Alvi’s Drift continues to impress in various sectors of the market. More about the competition here.

SHIRAZ SA TOP 12

Babylonstoren Shiraz 2017
Simonsberg-Paarl Cellar

Bellingham Bernard Series Basket Press Syrah 2016
Franschhoek Cellar

Driehoek Shiraz 2016
Cederberg Cellar

Driehoek Shiraz 2017
Cederberg Cellar

First Sighting Shiraz 2017
Strandveld Cellar, Elim, Cape Agulhas

Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2015
Somerset West Cellar

Kruger Family Reserve Shiraz 2016
Stellenview Cellar, Stellenbosch

KWV Cathedral Cellar Shiraz 2016
Paarl Cellar

La Cave Shiraz 2017
Wellington Cellar

Neethlingshof Shiraz 2015
Stellenbosch Cellar

Quoin Rock Shiraz 2015
Simonsberg-Stellenbosch Cellar

Rhebokskloof Black Marble Hill Syrah 2016
Paarl Cellar

… AND WINNING BLENDS

Albertus Viljoen Bismarck 2017
Alvi’s Drift Cellar, Worcester

Babylonstoren Babel 2017
Simonsberg-Paarl Cellar

Eikendal Charisma 2017
Helderberg Cellar, Stellenbosch