Northern Cape on the radar again after Winemag red blend report
THE 2017 Signature Red Blend Report on Winemag.co.za follows the assessment of 82 combos from 62 producers – Shiraz-led Rhöne style, Pinotage-driven Cape Blends and various other alternatives to the Bordeaux model typically moulded around Cabernet or Merlot, sometimes Cabernet Franc. By the end of the competition, the panel of judges – Winemag’s Christian Eedes (chair) with Wine Cellar’s Roland Peens and James Pietersen – rated 20 of the wines as ‘excellent’, one of them from Upington in the Northern Cape!
The Shiraz-based Lyra Vega 2015 from Orange River Cellars in Upington is the second red wine laureate from South Africa’s Northern Cape in recent months, following the Landzicht Winemaker’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 from a winery in Douglas that was judged best in its class at the 2017 Trophy Wine Show.
What’s more, there were also a couple of Breedekloof producers who put in very good performances – and not for the first time either! Which isn’t to say that Stellenbosch is going to lose its crown anytime soon!
TOP 20 WINES IN SIGNATURE RED BLEND REPORT
Carl Everson Cape Blend 2015, from Opstal – Breedekloof Cellar
Creation Syrah Grenache 2015 – Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge Cellar
Credo Shiraz Merlot Viognier 2014, from Stellenbosch Vineyards
DeMorgenzon Maestro Blue 2015 – Stellenbosch Kloof Cellar
Eikendal Charisma 2015 – Somerset West Cellar
Fairview Extraño 2013 – Paarl Cellar
Guardian Peak Summit 2014 – Stellenbosch Cellar
Haskell II 2013 – Stellenbosch Cellar
Haut Espoir Gentle Gian 2012 – Franschhoek Cellar
Joostenberg Bakermat 2015 – Paarl Cellar
Le Riche Richesse 2015 – Stellenbosch Cellar
Lyra Vega 2015, from Orange River Cellars – Upington, Northern Cape
Newton Johnson Granum 2015 – Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Cellar
Olifantsberg Silhouette 2013 – Breedekloof Cellar
Rust en Vrede 1694 Classification 2014 – Stellenbosch Cellar
Saboteur Red 2015, from Luddite – Bot River Cellar
Spier Creative Block 8 2014 – Stellenbosch Cellar
Vondeling Erica 2014 – Voor Paardeberg Cellar, Paarl
Vrede en Lust Artisan Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 – Paarl
Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2013 – Simonsberg-Stellenbosch Cellar
Full report here.
