DEMORGENZON, Kleine Zalze and Spier of Stellenbosch, Leeuwenkuil of Paarl, Lomond of Gansbaai in Cape Agulhas, Saronsberg of Tulbagh, Survivor from Overhex in Worcester… Names regularly associated with top Shiraz from South Africa over the past 10 years that got the nod once again to be included among the Top 12 in the 2024 Shiraz SA Challenge. And look at that! Another of the Top 12 is from Paarl producer Nederburg – the same Winemasters Shiraz 2022 that rated top at the Trophy Wine Show a few months earlier.
At R115 a bottle ex-cellar, the Nederburg is one of the best-value recommendations resulting from the competition organised by industry association Shiraz SA. And at under R100pb, well, we wait to see whether Leeuwenkuil keeps the price of their ‘standard' Shiraz at R95, which at the time of writing is what the 2022 vintage was selling for ex-cellar, the winning 2023 vintage yet to be released by the producer whose vineyards are in the Swartland district, their cellar in Paarl.
The panel that judged the 176 entries: De Grendel cellarmaster Charles Hopkins (chair), Cape Wine Master Bennie Howard, Kanonkop's Heidi Kritzinger, Delheim winemaker Nongcebo Lana and Kleine Zalze cellarmaster RJ Botha.
TOP 12 SHIRAZ WINNERS
Bon Courage Pepper Tree Shiraz 2022
R140pb ex-cellar, Robertson
DeMorgenzon Reserve Syrah 2019
R475pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Shiraz 2020
R472pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Leeuwenkuil Shiraz 2023
R95pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Lomond Conebush Syrah 2021
R260pb ex-cellar, Gansbaai-Cape Agulhas
Nederburg Winemasters Shiraz 2022
R115pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2022
R135pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
Spier Seaward Shiraz 2022
R150pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch Reserve Kruithuis Syrah 2022
R190pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Survivor Syrah 2022 (Overhex))
R220pb ex-cellar, Worcester
Zandvliet Hill of Enon Shiraz 2021
R488pb ex-cellar, Ashton
Zandvliet Kalkveld Shiraz 2020
R300pb ex-cellar, Ashton
TOP 12 SHIRAZ FINALISTS
Blueberry Hill Shiraz 2022 (ArtiSons)
R410pb ex-cellar, Bottelary-Stellenbosch
Fairview Eenzaamheid Shiraz 2021
R550pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Fairview Lanner Hill Shiraz 2021
R550pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Fairview Shiraz 2021
R150pb ex-cellar, Paarl
La Cave Shiraz 2021 (Wellington Wines)
R220pb ex-cellar, Wellington
Stellenbosch Vineyards Shiraz 2021
R100pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Windmeul Shiraz 2021
R80pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Zevenwacht Z Syrah 2022
R315pb ex-cellar, Kuils River-Stellenbosch
TOP 3 SHIRAZ BLENDS
Arendskloof Shiraz Tannat 2020 (Eagle's Cliff)
R150pb ex-cellar, Worcester
Benguela Cove Lighthouse Collection Moody Lagoon 2021
R175pb ex-cellar, Bot River
Roodeberg Dr Charles Niehaus 2020 (KWV)
R339pb ex-cellar, Paarl
SHIRAZ BLEND FINALISTS
Saronsberg Full Circle 2021
R650pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
Spier Creative Block 3 2020
R240pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Zoetendal Monarch 2017
R440pb ex-cellar, Elim-Cape Agulhas
TOP SHIRAZ ROSÉ
Eerste Hoop Shiraz Rosé 2024
R120pb ex-cellar, Theewaterskloof-Overberg
SHIRAZ ROSÉ FINALISTS
Saronsberg Shiraz Rosé 2024
R100pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
Stellenzicht Thunderstone Rosé 2024
R110pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
