After the Springbok win this weekend, we have some more exciting news: the Winemag Prescient Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, AND Winery of the Year 2023 reports have been released.
Prescient Chardonnay Report 2023
This year’s Cabernet Sauvignon Report sponsored by multinational financial services company Prescient, attracted 80 entries and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale. The Top 10 is as follows:
95
Vriesenhof 2021
94
Blaauwklippen 2022
Delaire Graff Terraced Block 2022
Lothian of Elgin 2021
Oak Valley Groenlandberg 2022
Paul Cluver Village 2022
93
Bellingham Homestead 2021
Delaire Graff Banghoek Reserve 2022
Journey’s End V1 2022
92
Cavalli Reserve 2022
“The best examples show depth of fruit, intricacy of flavour and drive,” says Christian Eedes, editor of Winemag.co.za and panel chairman. “It’s amazing to think that Chardonnay was only really established here in the 1980s after producers were compelled to smuggle it into the country and now it’s South Africa’s seventh most planted variety.”
Prescient Cabernet Sauvignon Report 2023
This year’s Cabernet Sauvignon Report sponsored by multinational financial services company Prescient, attracted 66 entries and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale. The Top 10 is as follows:
95
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2019
94
Glenelly Glass Collection 2021
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection 2021
Kruger Family Reserve 2020 (Stellenview)
93
Alto 2019
Ernie Els Major Series 2021
Maastricht 2021
Peter Falke PF 2021
Peter Falke Signature Kailani 2019
Stellenbosch 1679 2020 (Koelenhof)
“It’s a triumph for Stellenbosch with nine of the Top 10 wines from this district,” says Christian Eedes, editor of Winemag.co.za and panel chairman. “The top wines show fruit power – SA’s producers are now achieving greater ripeness and precision than ever before.”
Wines are available for online purchase via boutique wine retailers Dry Dock Liquors and Wine Village.
Prescient Winery of the Year 2023 Announced
Introduction
Winemag.co.za reviewed a total of 677 wines across 12 categories in its various reports sponsored by multinational financial services company Prescient over the course of the year. Each report was based on the outcome of a blind tasting of wines entered within the specific category.
Winery of the Year
Most successful entrant overall and, therefore Winery of the Year is Wildeberg, the second time in a row it has achieved this accolade.
The winery was judged to have produced both the best white and best red overall, while one other was best in category. In addition, three made the Top 10 in their respective categories. These are as follows:
Best White Overall
Best Sauv-Sem Blend
95 – Coterie by Wildeberg Semillon & Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Best Red Overall
Best Shiraz
96 – Wildeberg Red 2022
Best Minority Red
Wildeberg Terroirs Cinsault 2022 – 94 points
Signature Red Blend Top 10
Coterie by Wildeberg Grenache & Syrah 2022 – 93 points
Cape White Blend Top 10
The Tea Leaf 2022 – 92 points
Chenin Blanc Top 10
Wildeberg Terroirs 2022 – 93 points
The Wildeberg brand belongs to Boutinot, the UK wine company originally founded by prominent industry figure Paul Boutinot, but which was bought out by management in 2013. The cellar and tasting room is located in Franschhoek, tastings by appointment only
To read the report in full, including key findings, tasting notes for the top wines and scores on the 100-point quality scale for all wines entered, visit Winemag.co.za.
