Reassurance and surprise in Top 100 Challenge results

NOW IN ITS third year, the Top 100 SA Wine Challenge is a competition with objectives that include “helping to re-position South Africa’s top wines”. According to the organisers: “Consumer friendly and simple, we de-myth the bunk yet keep the romance of fine wine flowing.” The judges are predominantly Masters of Wine (UK), and the Challenge culminates in April each year with the publication of a reference book that is presented as a “definitive” guide. 

For the organisers’ 2013 report, click here. For the names of the winning wines, see below. Here are some of the great names in Wine SA, but there are also some glaring omissions – plus a refreshing selection of relative newcomers to the podium.

 
2013 TOP 100 SA WINE CHALLENGE WINNERS
 
Aaldering Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2010
Aaldering Pinotage 2010
Akkerdal TDT 2010 (red blend)
Allée Bleue Isabeau 2012 (white blend)
Allée Bleue L’Amour Toujours 2009 (red blend)
Altydgedacht Pinotage 2011
Alvi’s Drift AD CVC 2011 (white blend)
Alvi’s Drift Muscat de Frontignan 2010
Asara Carrilon 2012 (Natural Sweet)
Bellingham The Bernard Series Whole Bunch Grenache Blanc Viognier 2012
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2010 (port)
Boschendal Reserve Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Boschkloof Syrah 2010
Bosman Adama Red 2010
Bosman Pinotage 2010
Botanica Chenin Blanc 2011
Bredell’s Cape Vintage Reserve 2007 (port)
Cederberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Cederberg Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Claime d’Or Cabernet Franc 2009
Creation Pinot Noir 2012
Creation Pinot Noir Reserve 2012
Creation Syrah Grenache 2011
Credo Chenin Blanc 2010 (Stellenbosch Vineyards)
David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (Cederberg)

David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Semillon 2011 (Cederberg)
De Grendel Op die Berg Pinot Noir 2010

De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2009 (port)
Delaire Botmaskop 2010 (red blend)
Delaire Chenin Blanc 2012
Delaire Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Diemersdal MM Louw Estate Red 2011 (blend)
Diemersdal Private Collection 2011 (red blend)
Domaine des Dieux Rose of Sharon Brut Rose 2008
Domaine des Dieux Syrah Mourvèdre 2010
Dornier Donatus Red 2009 (blend)
Dornier Donatus White 2011 (blend)
Eenzaamheid Chenin Blanc 2012
Eenzaamheid Pinotage Cinsaut 2011
Ernie Els Big Easy Red 2011
Fairview La Beryl Blanc 2012 (Straw Wine)
Fairview Nurok 2011 (white blend)
Fairview Primo Pinotage 2011
Fairview The Beacon Shiraz 2009
Flagstone Treaty Tree Reserve 2011 (white blend)
Franschhoek Vineyards Shiraz 2010
Glenelly Lady May 2010 (red blend)
Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2012
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve Red 2010 (blend)
Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2010 (Natural Sweet)
Groot Constantia Shiraz 2010
Groote Post Pinot Noir 2009
Groote Post Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2012
Hidden Valley Hidden Gems 2010 (red blend)
Hidden Valley Hidden Secret 2010 (red blend)
Ken Forrester The Gypsy 2010 (red blend)
La Motte Pierneef Shiraz-Viognier 2010
Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2010
Longridge Merlot 2011
Longridge Pinotage 2010
Lourensford Winemaker’s Selection Noble Late Harvest 2009
Morgenster 2010 (red blend)
Nitida Calligraphy 2011 (red blend)
Nitida Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Ormonde Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Overgaauw Cape Vintage 1993 (port)
Overgaauw Merlot 2010
Painted Wolf Pictus 2010 (red blend)
Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2011
Paul Cluver Pinot Noir 2010
Paul Cluver Riesling 2011
Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2009
Quoin Rock Centaur 2009 (red blend)
Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2011
Raats Red Jasper 2011 (red blend)
Raka Biography Shiraz 2010
Raka Quinary 2009 (red blend)
Raka Quinary 2010 (red blend)
Rhebokskloof Black Marble Hill Syrah 2010
Rustenberg Five Soldiers 2011 (Chardonnay)
Rustenberg Buzzard Kloof Syrah 2010
Rustenberg John X Merriman 2011 (red blend)
Saronsberg Brut 2009 (MCC)
Saronsberg Full Circle 2010 (red blend)
Saronsberg Provenance Rooi 2010 (red blend)
Saronsberg Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Simonsig Cuvée Royale 2007 (MCC)
Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2009
Simonsig Merindol Syrah 2010
Tokara Director’s Reserve Red 2009 (blend)
Val du Charron VDC Chardonnay 2012
Veenwouden Classic 2010 (red blend)
Vertex Shiraz 2011 (Bonnievale Cellar)
Vondeling Babiana 2009 (white blend)
Warwick Cabernet Franc 2010
Warwick Trilogy 2010 (red blend)
Zorgvliet Simone 2010 (white blend)

For the 2013 SA Wine Classification that the Top 100 SA Wine Challenge results as well as various other awards and ratings count towards, click here.

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