TO SAY THAT the judges at the 2020 Cab Franc Challenge were impressed with the overall standard of the wines is an understatement: 29 of the 31 South African producers who entered the competition were pronounced winners and 90% of the entries (47 out of 52) from various parts of the Cape winelands were found to be of gold medal standard or better (some entrants submitted more than one vintage). On the panel were Cape Wine Masters Christine Rudman (chair) and Lizette Tolken, sommelier Greg Mutambe as well as wine writers Fiona McDonald and Malu Lambert. Rudman remarked on “a growing Cabernet Franc specialisation” and noted that there were fewer herbaceous notes across the range than in the 2019 Challenge, a reflection of the vintages, mainly 2017. “The best wines had balance, elegance, suppleness and complexity, showing layers of fruit and tertiary perfumes and flavours.”
A standout among the gold medallists is the Malan family's Rainbow's End from the Banghoek ward in Stellenbosch which has placed among the Top 6 on three occasions – the 2018 vintage fetching high praise in 2020, the 2016 vintage a winner in 2018 and the 2015 vintage coming top in 2017. Other repeat winners are the Cab Francs of Anthology Wines, also of Stellenbosch, and Whalehaven outside Hermanus, with Ormonde Vineyards of Darling presented with a Best Value Award for their Ondine 2015, a gold medallist at R115pb ex-cellar. Full results here.
CHALLENGE WINNERS
An.thol.o.gy // Cabernet Franc 2017
R253pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
David Finlayson Camino Africana Cabernet Franc 2017
R295pb from Edgebaston cellar, Stellenbosch
High Constantia Cabernet Franc 2012
R371pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Rainbow's End Limited Release Cabernet Franc 2018
R330pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2016
R380pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Whalehaven Cabernet Franc 2015
R198pb ex-cellar, Hermanus
VINTAGE WINNER
My Wyn Cabernet Franc 2012
Sold out ex-cellar, Franschhoek
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My Wyn, a small winery in the hills of Franschhoek, has won the inaugural Cobie van Oort Cabernet Franc Trophy for the highest score during the 2020 Cab Franc Challenge. For the first time since the inception of the Challenge in 2016, it was decided to award the highest scoring wine overall [the 2012 vintage of My Wyn Cabernet Franc] with a floating trophy… the Cobie van Oort Cab Franc Challenge Trophy [in honour of the competition founder who passed away suddenly on 24 June]. Winemaker Jacoline Haasbroek felt it was a great honour, and the trophy will be displayed in her tasting room for the next year!