Tough call as Cab Franc Challenge trophy goes to Anthology
THERE WERE only 20 cases of the single-block, single-barrel Cab Franc Challenge winner made available for purchase after results of the 2023 edition of the competition were announced in Stellenbosch. As for the rest of the Anthology, 2020 vintage, “we’ll be drinking to celebrate,” said the producers. “Lucky us.”
Convenor Bjorn van Oort let on that “just 0.33 points” separated the trophy winner and the runner-up, but stopped short of disclosing which of the Top 6 it was that came a close second. Perhaps the Ridgeback, trophy winner at the 2022 Michelangelo Awards and one of the Top 10 in the 2023 SA Cab Franc Classification.
At the time of writing, it was not clear how many entries were received for the 2023 Cab Franc Challenge – although some 30 wines made from the variety are expected to be served at the Cab Franc Carnival on the Vrede en Lust Estate in Simondium/Paarl on 27 May. Also, it was thought that besides the Top 6, there were eight other top SA expressions of the variety that had earned gold medals, but their names had yet to be released.
The panel of judges: Cape Wine Master Lizette Tolken (chair), wine writer Malu Lambert and winemaker Nomande Khubeka.
TOP 6 IN CAB FRANC CHALLENGE
Anthology Cabernet Franc 2020
R400pb ex-Marklew cellar, Stellenbosch (Jhb brand owner)
Lynx Cabernet Franc 2020
R450pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Morgenster Cabernet Franc 2021
R165pb ex-cellar, Somerset West
Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2020
R215pb ex-producer, Stellenbosch
Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2020
R250pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc 2020
R190pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
TOP 3 CAB FRANC BLENDS
Delaire Graff The Banghoek 2018
R2200pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Mitre’s Edge The Mitre 2019
R235pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Raats Family Jasper Red Blend 2020
R305pb ex-producer, Stellenbosch
The Vintage winner in the 2023 Cab Franc Challenge was the My Wyn Cabernet Franc 2009, with the Best Value winner being the Landskroon Paul Hugo Red 2021. Gold medal winners included the Cabernet Francs Chamonix 2021, Doolhof Single Vineyard 2020, Hillcrest Saartjie Single Vineyard Selection 2020, Joubert Tradauw Reserve 2017, Marklew 2021, Mitre’s Edge 2020, Raats Family 2020, Rainbow’s End 2021, Rainbow’s End Limited Release 2021, Rietvallei JMB 2019 as well as the Cabernet Franc-led blends Chamonix Troika 2021 and Landskroon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2021
The Cab Franc Challenge winner Anthology 2020 was made at Marklew Family Wines in Stellenbosch.