South Africa’s top red blends in 2012 – experts’ choice

THE STAND-OUT red blends, the best reviews of the year from around the world – and mostly premium-priced, with only seven under R100 a bottle (highlighted below), 38 ranging between R100 and R200pb, 26 between R200 and R300pb, eight between R300 and R400pb, and eight ranging between R450 and R725 per bottle:

AA Badenhorst 2009 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Anthonij Rupert Optima 2008 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Anwilka 2009 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Beaumont Ariane 2010 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Bernheim Classique 2008 – gold medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition

Beyerskloof Faith 2009 – one of Top 3 in Perold Cape Blend Competition

Boschendal 1685 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – gold medal at Mondial

Bosman Erfenis 2010 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2009 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Cavalli Cheval D’Or Warlord 2009 – gold medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition

Chamonix Troika 2010 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Creation Syrah Grenache 2010 – gold medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition, double gold medal at Veritas Awards

Dalla Cia Giorgio 2007 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide, Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Delaire Botmaskop 2009 – gold medal at Classic Awards

Diemersdal MM Louw 2010 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Dombeya Altus 2007 – gold medal at Trophy Wine Show, gold medal at Five Nations Challenge

Doolhof The Minotaur 2009 – double gold medal at Michelangelo Awards

Du Toitskloof Dimension 2010 – double gold medal at Michelangelo Awards

Eikendal Classique 2009 – trophy at Trophy Wine Show, highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Ernie Els Big Easy 2010 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Ernie Els CWG Auction Reserve 2010 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Ernie Els Signature 2008 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Fable Lion’s Whisker 2010 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Fleur du Cap Laszlo 2006 – double gold medal at Five Nations Challenge

Fleur du Cap Laszlo 2008 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide

Glenelly Lady May 2010 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Graham Beck The Joshua 2009 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Grangehurst Nikela 2005 – one of Top 5 in Perold Cape Blend Competition

Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2009 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Guardian Peak SMG 2010 – double gold medal at Veritas Awards

Hartenberg The Mackenzie 2009 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Iona One Man Band 2008 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Jordan Cobblers Hill 2008 – double gold medal at Veritas Awards

Jordan Cobblers Hill 2009 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Jordan Sophia 2009 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Kaapzicht Steytler Vision 2008 – gold medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition

Keets First Verse 2010 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide

Ken Forrester The Gypsy 2009 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide

Knorhoek Pan Pantére 2007 – double gold medal at Michelangelo Awards

Koelenhof Koelenberg 2009 – double gold medal at Michelangelo Awards

KWV Abraham Perold Tributum 2010 – one of Top 3 in Perold Cape Blend Competition

KWV The Mentors Orchestra 2010 – gold medal at Decanter Awards

La Motte Pierneef Collection Shiraz Viognier 2009 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

La Motte Pierneef Collection Shiraz Viognier 2010 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide

Le Bonheur Prima 1999 – trophy at Michelangelo Awards

Le Joubert ‘1070’ 2009 – gold medal at Trophy Wine Show

Lyngrove Platinum Latitude 2011 – one of Top 5 in Perold Cape Blend Competition

Mas Nicolas 2007 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide

Meerlust Rubicon 2008 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Miles Mossop Max 2008 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Miles Mossop Max 2009 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Mischa Cerno 2009 – trophy at Michelangelo Awards

Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2010 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Muratie Ansela van de Caab 2009 – gold medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition

Mvemve Raats De Compostella 2009 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide, Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Nabygelegen Seventeen Twelve 2007 – double gold medal at Veritas Awards

Nederburg Manor House Shiraz Mourvèdre 2010 – trophy at Decanter Awards

Overgaauw Tria Corda 2009 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Redstone 2010 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Rickety Bridge The Foundation Stone 2010 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmond 2010 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Rust en Vrede Estate 2009 – gold medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition

Rustenberg John X Merriman 2009 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Sadie Columella 2010 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide

Saronsberg Full Circle 2009 – gold medal at Mondial

Saronsberg Full Circle 2010 – gold medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition, gold medal at Five Nations Challenge

Saronsberg Provenance Rooi 2010 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Saronsberg Seismic 2007 – gold medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition

Sijnn 2008 – gold medal at Classic Awards

Spice Route Chakalaka 2009 – trophy at Decanter Awards

Spier Creative Block 3 2009 – gold medal at Mondial

Spier Creative Block 3 2010 – gold medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition

Spier Creative Block 8 2010 – gold medal at Mondial

Spier Woolworths Allan Mullins ‘My Song’ 2009 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Stellenbosch Ridge 2009 – gold medal at Mondial

Strandveld The Navigator 2010 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

The High Road Director’s Reserve 2009 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Thelema Rabelais 2008 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Tokara Director’s Reserve 2008 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Tokara Director’s Reserve 2009 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Vilafonté Series M 2009 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Warwick Trilogy 2009 – Top 100 SA Wine Challenge selection

Waterford The Jem 2009 – highly recommended in Platter’s Guide

Windmeul Cape Blend Reserve 2010 – one of Top 3 in Perold Cape Blend Competition

Those priced at under R100 a bottle:


Bernheim Classique 2008 – R70
Boschendal 1685 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – R80
Du Toitskloof Dimension 2010 – R75
Koelenhof Koelenberger 2009 – R30
Le Joubert ‘1070’ 2009 – R95
Rickety Bridge The Foundation Stone 2010 – R85
Windmeul Cape Blend Reserve 2010 – R85

For the prices of the other South African red blends highly-rated in 2012 and for more SA red blend recommendations, click here. For information about the various judging panels, click here.

 
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2 comments

  • Natalie Billings

    Awesome recommendations Mike – hoping for a generous christmas bonus so I can get shopping!

    • Mike Froud

      Glad you found the recommendations useful, and/but wait for this week’s shopping tips when we showcase the very best value wines of the year – best quality at lowest prices!

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