NOT EXACTLY déjà vu, but more than a few of the winners at South Africa's National Wine Challenge in 2024 also collected top-of-the-class awards in 2023: De Krans Tritonia Verdelho, Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon, Graham Beck Cuvée Clive Cap Classique, Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve White, Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay, Paul Cluver Seven Flags Pinot Noir and Paul Wallace Black Dog Malbec – the latest vintages given below.
The organisers haven't disclosed the total number of entries submitted for the 2024 Challenge. What they have announced are the names of all the award winners, 284 in total, with the top accolades going mostly to producers with good track records and chosen by a panel of judges comprising experienced professionals: British Masters of Wine Richard Kershaw and Greg Sherwood, Cape Wine Master Ginette de Fleuriot, winemaker Duncan Savage and Warwick cellarmaster JD Pretorius, with Master Sommelier Higgo Jacobs the tasting director.
THE BEST ON SHOW
Alvi's Drift Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc 2022
R299pb ex-cellar, Sherpenheuwel-Worcester
De Wet Cellar Red Muscadel 2019
R73pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Worcester
Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2018 (Cap Classique)
R1250pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Quoin Rock Simonsberg Blend 2020 (Red Blend)
R250pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2021
R350pb ex-cellar, Windmeul, Noord-Agter-Paarl
ALSO BEST IN CLASS
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2021 (Port)
R325pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp-Klein Karoo
Constantia Uitsig Sauvignon Blanc 2022
R140pb ex-cellar, Constantia
De Krans Tritonia Verdelho 2022
R160pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp-Klein Karoo
Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
R215pb ex-cellar, Upper Blaauwklippen Valley, Stellenbosch
Fairview Primo Pinotage 2022
R550pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve Red 2020
R570pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve White 2022
R550pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Groot Constantia Merlot 2020
R310pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Holden Manz Semillon Reserve 2021
R375pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Jakkalsvlei Mount Cuvée Cape Blend 2022
R200pb ex-cellar, Herbertsdale-Klein Karoo
Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2021
R550pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Elgin
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2022
R1100pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2020
R1100pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Paul Wallace Black Dog Malbec 2020
R275pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Saronsberg Full Circle 2022 (Red Blend)
R650pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
Saronsberg Shiraz 2022
R360pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh