
THE ONLINE award presentation was a rather dumbed-down affair, not without technical hiccups, but the panel of judges for the 2021 Challenge convened by the industry association Shiraz SA was strong on experience. Among the selectors were Cape Wine Masters Andy Roediger (chair for the ninth year) and Paul Benadé, cellarmasters Frans Smit (Spier) and Richard Kershaw MW, as well as winemaker Elzette du Preez. Their favourites (below) included delights from some of South Africa's leading producers, with the Cederberg Private Cellar, Flagstone and Saronsberg having particularly good track records in the league of Shiraz and Syrah.
Cederberg's 2018 vintage also got the attention of panels calling the shots for the Decanter World Wine Awards, Platter's SA Wine Guide and Syrah du Monde. Flagstone's 2017 Dark Horse was also a class winner at the SA National Wine Challenge. Nice to see a return to the spotlight of Stellenzicht, producer of a famous Syrah back in the day, now under new ownership and fielding a blend of Shiraz, Cab and Cinsaut – albeit it at a price that would suggest most is destined for export. And how about that, a “captivating” Rosé on the radar, from Villion: a very affordable, “seductive” combination of Shiraz and Viognier with “perfumed confidence” and accompanied by a cautionary note to “be careful”!
CHALLENGE WINNERS
Cederberg Shiraz 2018
R250pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
Driehoek Shiraz 2019
R250 approx retail price, Cederberg farm
Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2017
R330pb ex-cellar, Somerset West
Glen Carlou Syrah 2019
R180pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Shiraz 2017
R425pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Shiraz 2018
R162pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Koelfontein Shiraz 2019
R195pb from the producer, Ceres
Landskroon Paul de Villiers Shiraz 2019
R150pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Neil Ellis Groenekloof Shiraz 2019
R140pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte, Stellenbosch
Rooiberg Reserve Shiraz 2019
R125pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Saronsberg Shiraz 2019
R260pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Shiraz 2018
R165pb ex-cellar, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch
TOP SHIRAZ BLENDS
Anura Syrah Mourvèdre Grenache Reserve 2018
R175pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Roodeberg Dr Charles Niehaus 2018
R280pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
Stellenzicht Acheulean Red 2018
R875pb ex-cellar, Helderberg, Stellenbosch
TOP SHIRAZ ROSÉ
Villion Rosa Rabbedoe Rosé 2021
R85pb from Barton Vineyards outside Bot River where Villion rents cellar space
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There were 160 Shiraz wines entered, 50 Shiraz blends and 4 Rose.