Eenzaamheid – 1693

“THE BEST Shiraz is nothing if not peppery and many will have quite grippy tannins as a result of whole-bunch fermentation… Shiraz is for those who aren’t afraid of some flavour intensity.” So says Winemag editor Christian Eedes, who chaired the panel tasting of 99 South African wines from 82 producers submitted for the 2022 Prescient Shiraz Report.

Also on the panel: sommelier Ndaba Dube (F&B manager at the President Hotel in Cape Town) and Francois Rautenbach (GM of Singita Premier Wine Direct). For the judges’ favourites, see below – not all of them single-varietal wines, such as the Wildeberg Red from Franschhoek that includes 15% Cabernet Franc, and Gentis Badlands from the Swartland, with Ruby Cab and Touriga in the mix.

“Offering the best quality relative to price” among the Top 10: the 2019 Shiraz from Du Toitskloof in the Breedekloof at R80pb.

96/100

Eenzaamheid Shiraz 2020
R195pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Wildeberg Red 2021
R360pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek

95/100

Great Five Reserve Shiraz 2019
R135pb from Stellenview cellar, Stellenbosch
Harry Hartman Somesay Syrah 2021
R330pb from producer, Somerset West
Org de Rac Shiraz 2020
R120pb ex-cellar, Piketberg-Swartland

94/100

Diemersdal Shiraz 2021
R110pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Du Toitskloof Shiraz 2019
R80pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville
Gentis Badlands Shiraz 2021
R250pb from Thor Vintners, Swartland
Groote Post Shiraz 2020
R178pb ex-cellar, Darling
Sunkloof Reserve Shiraz 2019
R99pb from Stellenview cellar, Stellenbosch