Cabernet Sauvignon Challenge 2024
Organised by Events by Celia, a company belonging to Celia Gilloway, the Cabernet Sauvignon judging took place on April 23rd in Cape Town, by three experienced tasters, Cape Wine Master Christine Rudman (as Chair), Colin Frith, winemaker and member of the ICWM, and Janine van Zyl, qualified…
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Judging was according to the international 100 point system, and all wines were evaluated blind in the presence of an auditor, Chani Bosman of Cecil Kilpin & Co. No vintage or regional information was given and there was no discussion permitted until completion of the tasting, after score sheets had been given to the auditor. Gold medals, 90 points and above, were awarded to DGB (Pty) Ltd, Dieu Donné Vineyards, Dornier Wines, Hazendal Estate, KWV, Mount Vernon, Peter Falke Wines, Sondagskloof Wines, Stellenview Premium Wines and Survivor Wines.
The majority of the entries were from the Stellenbosch/Simonsberg area. Other entries came from Franschhoek, Sundays Glen, Montagu, and a few broader classifications like Coastal and Western Cape. The vintages were evenly spread across 2018 to 2022.
In summing up their impressions, the panellists were impressed with the general quality of the wines submitted. Even the younger vintages showed their potential, with a tannin structure for ageing, without any harshness that could interfere with current drinking. There was complexity, good palate weight and length, all qualities well-made Cabernet can display, and in particular most showed typicity.
GOLD MEDALS (Alphabetical order)
Brampton Roxton Black 2020
Cape Five Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Diue Donné Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Great Five Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Hazendal Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Mt Vernon Deborah’s Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Mt Vernon Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Peter Falke Signature Kailani Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Sondagskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Stellenview Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Survivor Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
SILVER MEDALS (Alphabetical order)
Anura Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2021
Kruger Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Mont Massif Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Peter Falke PF Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Polish Africa Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Sonklip Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Vergenoegd Lara Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
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