There is immense anticipation among wine enthusiasts as this year’s Perold Absa Cape Blend finalists are announced.

Since its inception in 2011, this competition has grown in stature with wine producers embracing the opportunity to create uniquely South African red blends with Pinotage as its key component. This wine category has increased its relevance on the global stage and has become a key offering in the wine ranges of some South African wine producers.

Four wineries have also made the finalists list of this year’s Absa Top 10 Pinotage competition which is always an exceptional achievement for the winemaking teams. These wineries are Anura, Rijk’s, Wellington Wines La Cave and Viljoensdrift from Robertson.

The exceptional quality of this year’s finalist wines is a testament to the fact that South African winemakers have better understanding of their terroir and embracing this wine style. This enables them to create blends of exceptional quality and uniqueness that can stand out on the world stage.

The entries are always from a wide array of South African wine regions in numerous styles and blend combinations, and this year was no exception.

The 10 finalists this year are from cellars in Robertson, Wellington, Tulbagh and Paarl, and three of the finalist wines originate from the Stellenbosch region.

The finalists are:

Anura Signature Cape Cuveé 2017 W/O Simonsberg-Paarl: Winemaker - Stander Maass

Flagstone Dragon Tree Cape Blend 2018 W/O Western Cape: Winemaker – Gerhard Swart

KWV Abraham Perold Tributum 2017 WO Coastal: Winemaker -Izele van Blerk

KWV Abraham Perold Tributum 2018 WO Coastal: Winemaker -Izele van Blerk

Lyngrove Platinum Latitude 2017 WO Stellenbosch: Winemaker – Danie van Tonder

Rijk’s Pinotage/Syrah 2015 WO Tulbagh: Winemaker – Pierre Wahl

Stellenbosch Hills Suikerboschrand Cape Blend 2015 WO Stellenbosch: Winemaker – James Ochse

Viljoensdrift River Grandeur Cape Blend 2018 WO Robertson: Winemaker – Fred Viljoen

Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2017 WO Stellenbosch: Winemaker – JD Pretorius

Wellington Wines – La Cave Cape Blend 2018 WO Wellington: Winemaker – Francois van Niekerk

This competition is in its 9th year and the five winners will be announced on the 22nd of September 2020