There were 46 entries across various styles: Bordeaux (any combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot); Rhône (any combination of Shiraz, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, Viognier); Cape (30%+ Pinotage with other red varieties); and Others, not fitting any of the aforementioned styles. Bordeaux at 23 was the largest category, followed by Other Blends at 13.

Judging was according to the international 100 point system, and all wines were evaluated blind in the presence of an auditor. There were 15 golds awarded, 90 points and above, accounting for 33% of the entries, with 10 of these from the Stellenbosch/Simonsberg and Franschhoek areas. The balance of the entries were Silver, scoring 80 – 89 points, with no Bronze awarded, reflecting the general quality of the wines submitted. The majority of the vintages stretched from 2018 to 2021, with a few older.

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Red Blends Challenge judges

The highest rated wines were the Bordeaux blends, a well-proven combination of varieties, capable of impressive quality in the right hands. Of the 9 Golds, four were Cabernet Franc-led, a new trend in this competition, while the rest were more conventionally Cabernet Sauvignon-led. The majority of the Bordeaux Blends comprised two or three varieties, rather than the conventional five. Only two Rhône blends were entered, both scoring gold, with one, Zonnebleom Shiraz/Mourvèdre/Viognier being judged the overall winner. As expected, Other Blends were diverse and creative, using Portuguese varieties as well as local like Pinotage and lesser known French such as Durif and Tannat, in combination with Bordeaux and Rhône varieties. There were four Golds awarded, with the wines being praised for their complexity and mouthfeel.

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Some of the gold medallists

The panel was impressed the quality and balance of the Bordeaux Blends, which had wonderful typicity and accessibility. If there was any criticism it, was that some seemed to be created for earlier drinking, rather than for ageing. Of the eight Cape Blends, one earned a Gold, but overall they were considered creative and well-made, with interesting varietal combinations and good texture. Throughout all entries, there was good tannin balance, with no harsh wines, and most had good fruit expression, coupled with attractive oak spicing.

Winner Zonnebloem SMV 2020

Gold (Alphabetical order)

Anura Layla Blaire Signature 2018 Arendskloof Shiraz Tannat 2020 Beau Joubert The Ambassador 2020 Cap Vino Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021 Chamonix Troika 2020 Durbanville Hills Tangram Bordeaux Blend 2019 Holden Manz Big G 2018 Idiom Cape Red 2020 Le Pommier Mac Cabernet Franc Malbec 2021 Thor The Megan Mari 2020 Thor The Megan Mari 2021 Thelema Mountain Red 2019 Vendôme Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Zonnebloem Laureat 2020

Silver (Alphabetical order) Anura Legato 2020 Arendskloof Shiraz Tannat 2021 Bellevue Atticus Cape Blend 2021 Blaauwklippen De Blaauwe Klip 2018 Boplaas Gamka 2020 Boplaas Ring of Rocks 2018 Cavalli Warlord 2020 Chamonix Rouge 2021 Doolhof Jacques Potier Bordeaux Blend 2021 Druk My Niet Invictus 2016 Eagle’s Cliff Shiraz Pinotage 2021 Groot Constantia Lady of Abundance 2019 Hillcrest Atlantic Sloped Hornfels 2016 Idiom Conical Peak 2013 Journey’s End Cape Doctor “The Red” 2017 Mimosa Mysterium 2021 Mimosa Natus 2021 Mimosa Solus 2021 Mitre’s Edge Sholto 2018 Mitre’s Edge The Mitre 2019 Mountain Ridge De Liefde 2021 My Wyn Cape Blend 2020 My Wyn Les Grandes Horisontales Rouge 2020 Nederburg Baronne 2021 Nederburg Double Barrel Reserve 2021 The Fledge & Co Field Blend 2021 Thor Gentis Red 2021 Villiersdorp Since 1922 Kiara 2018 Villiersdorp Since 1922 Kiara 2019 Whalehaven Old Harbour 2019