THIRD TIME LUCKY? Chamonix of Franschhoek had earned gold medals at previous editions of the Cab Franc Challenge with their 2015 and 2016 vintages in 2018 and 2020 respectively. Then, come 2022, they won the overall title with their 2020 vintage. But the Challenge judges haven’t been the only ones in the know giving this wine the thumbs up –
Read moreWITH SOME vintages it’s recommended that for a refreshing drink you can chill this blend, described by the De Villiers family as a “fun-loving” wine. In recent years, however, the Paul Hugo Red has over-delivered relative what you might expect from the second tier in Landskroon’s portfolio. The 2020 is one of the standouts since the maiden vintage 2006. Judged
Read moreCHAMONIX of Franschhoek are on track in building a good track record with their Cabernet Franc, but who would have given short odds on them coming top of the class in South Africa’s 2022 Cab Franc Challenge? Congrat’s to the team – more respected for their Chardonnay, Troika red blend and Pinot Noir – whose Challenge entry was fancied ahead
Read moreTO SAY THAT the judges at the 2020 Cab Franc Challenge were impressed with the overall standard of the wines is an understatement: 29 of the 31 South African producers who entered the competition were pronounced winners and 90% of the entries (47 out of 52) from various parts of the Cape winelands were found to be of gold medal
Read moreTHE STATUS of Morgenster as one of South Africa’s top cellars hinges largely on the reputation of the Estate Reserve, a top class Bordeaux-style combo and one of the Top 10 red blends overall in the SA Wine Classification. Hall of Fame. R490 a bottle for the 2013 vintage. Of late, however, the Somerset West property’s single varietals have been
Read moreWHAT A GREAT year already for leading Cabernet Franc specialist of South Africa Bruwer Raats. Beginning with 5 Star ratings in Platter’s SA Wine Guide for two wines from the 2016 vintage, the Stellenbosch maverick then came top of the class on Winemag.co.za before placing among the Top 6 gold medallists at the 2019 Cab Franc Challenge. Two of the
Read moreIT BEGGARS belief on hearing that a red wine from one of the main drags on South Africa’s Paarl wine route can be judged good enough to win a gold medal yet sell for just R48 per bottle at the cellar door on the farm. Believe it. Landskroon pulled it off as a laureate at the 2018 Cab Franc Challenge!
Read moreWHAT AN intriguing selection, the Top 6 in the 2018 Cab Franc Challenge. Where do Anthology wines come from? Well, the Johannesburg proprietor has been renting cellar space at Marklew in Stellenbosch for several years now. My Wyn is another small producer, high up the side of a mountain in Franschhoek. Rainbow’s End isn’t much bigger, situated in the Banghoek area between Stellenbosch and
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