PUFFERY aside, behind the smoke and mirrors… The National Wine Challenge attracts entries from some of South Africa’s top wine producers, the judges and tasting director are respected professionals, plus there are often several good-value discoveries or confirmations as well as something or other that prompts you to ponder… Best Value? At just R95pb, a little over half the price of their ‘siblings’ originating in Cape Agulhas, the Land’s End Cape Coast Shiraz 2020 and Sauvignon Blanc 2022 from the DTK co-operative cellar outside Rawsonville! Whereas towards the upper end of the price spectrum, the standout for some was the title of Red Wine of the Year going to a Cab-led blend from Paarl – the Nebukadnesar 2020 made at Koos Bekker’s Babylonstoren estate in the foothills of the Simonsberg where Charl Coetzee and Klaas Stoffberg head up the cellar.

Together with their Shiraz, Babylonstoren’s Bordeaux-style combo has one of the best track records as monitored for the SA Wine Classification and the champion 2020 vintage had achieved a 95-point review from Gilbert & Gaillard (FR) ahead of the Challenge. The 2019 and 2018 scored 95/100 at the Decanter World Wine Awards (UK), with the 2017 Nebukadnesar declared Best in Class at the 2019 National Wine Challenge.

 

WINES OF THE YEAR

Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2020 (Red Blend)
R605pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl

Fairview La Beryl Blanc 2022 (Straw Wine)
R340pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Paarl

Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2017 (MCC)
R970pb ex-cellar, Robertson

Jordan Real McCoy Riesling 2022
R167pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof

 

BEST IN CLASS

Akkerdal Semillon 2020
R205pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek

Alvi’s Drift Reserve Drift Fusion 2021 (Red Blend)
R165pb ex-cellar, Worcester

Alvi’s Drift Verreaux Pinotage 2020
R550pb ex-cellar, Worcester

Boplaas Colheita Cape Tawny 2007 (Port)
R750pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp

De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2020 (Port)
R350pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp

De Krans Tritonia Verdelho 2021
R160pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp

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

De Wetshof Lilya Dry Rosé 2023
R110pb ex-cellar, Robertson

Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
R201pb ex-cellar, Upper Blaauwklippen Valley, Stellenbosch

Fairview Petite Sirah 2020
R140pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2018 (MCC)
R357pb ex-cellar, Robertson

Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve White 2021
R540pb ex-cellar, Constantia

Groot Constantia Lady of Abundance 2020 (Red Blend)
R175pb ex-cellar, Constantia

Jordan Black Magic Merlot 2021
R231pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof

Land’s End Cape South Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2022
R95pb from DTK cellar, Rawsonville

Land’s End Cape South Coast Shiraz 2020
R95pb from DTK cellar, Rawsonville

Painted Wolf Black Tip Mourvèdre 2020
R260pb ex-cellar, Simondium-Paarl

Painted Wolf Darius Carignan 2021
R220pb ex-cellar, Simondium-Paarl

Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2021
R950pb ex-cellar, Elgin

Paul Cluver Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2018
R950pb ex-cellar, Elgin

Paul Wallace Black Dog Malbec 2019
R260pb ex-cellar, Elgin

Retief Reserve Cape White Blend 2021
R140pb from Van Loveren cellar, Robertson

Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2019
R450pb ex-cellar, Robertson

Saronsberg Grenache 2020
R270pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh

Saronsberg Viognier 2021
R180pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh

Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Chenin Blanc 2021
R175pb ex-cellar, Lynedoch-Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo SMV 2020 (Red Blend)
R175pb ex-cellar, Lynedoch-Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch Vineyards Flagship Petit Verdot 2018
R550pb ex-cellar, Lynedoch-Stellenbosch