Much to choose from among ‘straight’ and blended SA Shiraz Champs
OF THE laureates at the Shiraz SA Challenge 2018, Saronsberg Full Circle stands out as one of South Africa’s finest red blends having Shiraz in the driver’s seat, with Spier’s Creative Block 3 fast establishing a record over the years that promises to be as impressive. However, while there were 36 blends submitted for review, there were 156 wines presented as single-varietals – at least 85% Shiraz, if not 100%. And here, earning special mention are De Grendel, Eagles’ Nest and Saronsberg, again – all showing once more that they’re deserving of their Classification.
Leeuwenkuil of the Swartland, Uva Mira on the Helderberg in Stellenbosch and Bon Courage of Robertson have been getting a fair bit of attention on the Shiraz front of late, but… Eagles’ Nest near Constantia Nek has been oh so consistent, this time with their 2015 vintage. De Grendel on the Durbanville wine route is strutting a variation made from Elim grapes and selling in a big bottle. And Saronsberg have stepped up with a lovely Provenence, which usually plays ‘second fiddle’ in the range on offer from the Shiraz specialists out Tulbagh way.
The judges: Cape Wine Master Andy Roediger (panel chair), La Motte cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche, De Grendel cellarmaster Charles Hopkins, Samarie Smith of Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate, Jeanne-Mari de Villiers of Checkers / Odd Bins, winemaker Jacques Borman of Boschkloof as well as Claus Fischer, an experienced wine critic from Germany and chief technician for Challenge sponsor Vinventions.
All of the finalists in the 2018 Shiraz SA Challenge are given below, with award winners in respect of the Top 12 Shiraz and Top 3 Shiraz Blends highlighted in red. For more info about the competition, see here.
TOP SHIRAZ – SA CHALLENGE 2018
Alto Shiraz 2016
R223 pb at the cellar, Helderberg, Stellenbosch
Alvi’s Drift ADS Shiraz 2016
R58 pb at the cellar, Worcester
Babylonstoren Shiraz 2016
R220 pb at the cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Bizoe Estalet Syrah 2015
R200 pb from the producer, Somerset West
Bloemendal Syrah 2013
R185 pb from the cellar, Durbanville
D’Aria Soprano Shiraz 2016
R191 pb from the cellar, Durbanville
De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2016
R650 pb (1.5 litre) at the cellar, Panorama / Durbanville
Diemersdal Shiraz 2016
R95 pb at the cellar, Durbanville
Diemersfontein Shiraz 2017
R115 pb at the cellar, Wellington
Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2015
R275 pb at the cellar, Constantia
Ernie Els Proprietor’s Syrah 2015
R260 pb at the cellar, Helderberg, Stellenbosch
Fairview Eenzaamheid Shiraz 2014
R300 pb at the cellar, Paarl
Groot Constantia Shiraz 2015
R221 at the cellar, Constantia
KWV Cathedral Cellar Shiraz 2015
R120 pb at the cellar, Paarl
La Cave Shiraz 2016 (Wellington Wines)
R165 pb at the cellar, Wellington
Lomond Conebush Syrah 2015
R275 pb from the producer, Gansbaai, Cape Agulhas
Louis 57 Open Championship Syrah 2016
R290 pb from the producer
Oldenburg Syrah 2014
R210 pb from the cellar, Banghoek, Stellenbosch
Plaisir de Merle Shiraz 2015
R215 pb from the cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Rooiberg Reserve Shiraz 2016
R110 pb from the cellar, Robertson
Rust en Vrede Vineyards Syrah 2015
R270 pb from the cellar, Helderberg, Stellenbosch
Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2016
R110 pb from the cellar, Tulbagh
Saronsberg Shiraz 2016
R235 pb from the cellar, Tulbagh
Stark-Condé Three Pines Syrah 2015
R325 pb from the cellar, Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch
Wildekrans Barrel Select Reserve Shiraz 2015
R345 pb from the cellar, Bot River
TOP SHIRAZ BLENDS – 2018 SA CHALLENGE
Albertus Viljoen Bismarck 2015 (Alvi’s Drift)
R255 pb from the cellar, Worcester
Babylonstoren Babel 2016
R135 pb from the cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Guardian Peak Summit 2015
R160 pb from the cellar, Helderberg, Stellenbosch
KWV Mentors Canvas 2014
R220 pb from the cellar, Paarl
Lomond Belladonna SMV 2016
R150 pb from the producer, Gansbaai, Cape Agulhas
Ridgeback His Master’s Choice 2015
R220 pb from the cellar, Paarl
Roodeberg Dr Charles Niehaus 2016 (KWV)
R230 pb from the cellar, Paarl
Saronsberg Full Circle 2016
R420 pb from the cellar, Tulbagh
Spier Creative Block 3 2015
R159 pb from the cellar, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Shiraz Merlot Viognier 2015
R150 pb from the cellar, Stellenbosch