A PINOTAGE-BASED red blend from the Flagstone winery in Somerset West, a Sauvignon Blanc from Paul Cluver in Elgin, a Cape Port from De Krans in Calitzdorp and the flagship Cap Classique sparkler from Graham Beck in Robertson. The four Wines of the Year at South Africa’s 2022 National Wine Challenge, and the producers were chuffed:

“We are over the moon to have received the award for Red Wine of The Year for our Dragon Tree Cape Blend 2019,” said cellarmaster Gerhard Swart. “Flagstone is a proud producer of Pinotage and this just confirms our passion for the variety.” Sauvignon champion Paul Cluver spoke of how South Africa is internationally recognised as producing some of the best expressions of this variety in the world. “We are the biggest little winery in the world from the Klein Karoo,” enthused De Krans port-maker Christoff de Wet. And Cuvée Clive is “the ultimate showcase of our unwavering pursuit of the perfect bubble,” beamed Graham Beck cellarmaster Pierre de Klerk.

There were “substantially more than 600 fine wine entries” in the competition according to convenor Robin von Holdt of BuyBetterWine.com. On the panel of judges: Cape Wine Master Ginette de Fleuriot together with winemakers Duncan Savage (Cape Town), Richard Kershaw MW (Elgin) and JD Pretorius of Warwick (Stellenbosch). The tasting director: sommelier Higgo Jacobs.

 

Wines of the Year

RED

Flagstone Dragon Tree 2019 (Cape Blend)
R140pb ex-cellar, Somerset West

WHITE

Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc 2021
R100pb ex-cellar, Elgin

SWEET

De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2019 (Port)
R375pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp

BUBBLY

Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2017 (MCC)
R780pb ex-cellar, Robertson

 

Also Best in Class

WHITE WINES

Alvi’s Drift Reserve CVC 2020 (White Blend)
R130pb ex-cellar, Worcester

Flagstone Treaty Tree Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2019 (White Blend)
R130pb ex-cellar, Worcester

Nieuwe Haarlem Chenin Blanc 2021
R165pb from Cape Wine Co, Paarl

Painted Wolf Solo Roussanne 2020
R185pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2020
R850pb ex-cellar, Elgin

Ridgeback Viognier 2021
R200pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Stellenbosch Vineyards Limited Release Verdelho 2021
R275pb ex-cellar, Lynedoch-Stellenbosch

Vrede en Lust Early Mist Riesling 2021
R105pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl

ROSÉ WINE

Napier Petite Marie 2021
R95pb ex-cellar, Wellington

RED WINES

Allée Bleue Shiraz 2019
R185pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek

Babylonstoren Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
R230pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl

Brandvlei Halftien 2020 (Red Blend)
R100pb ex-cellar, Worcester

Doolhof Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2019
R235pb ex-cellar, Wellington

Du Toitskloof Nebbiolo 2020
R115pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville

Erasmus Family Grenache 2020
R250pb from Cape Wine Co, Paarl

Fairview Petite Sirah 2017
R120pb ex-cellar-Agter-Paarl

Jordan Black Magic Merlot 2020
R205pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof

Paul Cluver Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2017
R800pb ex-cellar, Elgin

Rietvallei Dark Cin 2020 (Cinsaut)
R148pb ex-cellar, Robertson

Saronsberg Mourvèdre 2019
R230pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh

Spice Route Chakalaka 2019 (Red Blend)
R185pb from Spice Route Destination, Agter-Paarl

Stellenbosch ‘1679’ Legacy 2019 (Red Blend)
R525pb from Koelenhof Winery, Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch ‘1679’ Old Vine Pinotage 2020
R325pb from Koelenhof Winery, Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch Vineyards Flagship Petit Verdot 2015
R550pb ex-cellar, Lynedoch-Stellenbosch

DESSERT WINES

De Wet Cellar White Muscadel 2021
R65pb ex-cellar, Worcester

Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2017 (Natural Sweet)
R795pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Constantia