THERE WERE around 600 wines judged at South Africa’s National Wine Challenge 2018 convened by Robin von Holdt’s Buybetterwine.com. The judges comprised chairman Greg Sherwood (UK Master of Wine), Ginette de Fleuriot (Cape Wine Master), sommelier Wayve Kolvesohn, with winemakers Duncan Savage, Matthew Day of Klein Constantia, Richard Kershaw (Master of Wine) and JD Pretorius of Steenberg. Sommelier Higgo Jacobs was the tasting director.

Most highly rated red wines on show: 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 and Woolworths Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 from Spier, Stellenbosch.
Most highly rated white wines on show: Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Chenin Blanc 2016 and Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2017, Elgin.
Most highly rated sparkling wine on show: Celine Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut NV Cap Classique from Nuy, Worcester.
Most highly rated sweet wine on show: Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2016 (Port), Calitzdorp.

The ‘Top 100 SA Wines’ scored between 91/100 and 96/100 at the Challenge are given below, with those highlighted in bold judged to be Best in Class. For more info, see here.

 

Top White Wines at NWC 2018

CHARDONNAY

Babylonstoren 2017
De Wetshof Bon Vallon 2017
Eikendal 2016
Groot Constantia 2017
Iona Chardonnay 2015
Journey’s End Destination 2016
Longridge 2016
Nuy Mastery 2016
Oak Valley Groenlandberg 2017
Paul Cluver Seven Flags  2017

CHENIN BLANC

Albertus Viljoen 2016 (Alvi’s Drift)
Albertus Viljoen 2017 (Alvi’s Drift)
Spier 21 Gables 2016
Stark-Condé Jan Lui’s 2017
Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo 2016
The Dry Land Collection Courageous Barrel Fermented 2016 (Perdeberg)
Top Secret 2016 (Ultra)
Welgegund 2017
Wildekrans Barrel Select Reserve 2015
Wildekrans Barrel Select Reserve 2016

RIESLING

Jordan Real McCoy 2017
Paul Cluver 2017

SAUVIGNON BLANC

Cederberg 2017
D’Aria Songbird 2017
D’Aria The Following 2016
Ghost Corner Wild Ferment 2016 (Cederberg)
Lord’s 2017
Paul Cluver 2017
Vrede en Lust Anni 2017
Zevenwacht Z 360º 2017

VERDELHO

Stellenbosch Vineyards Limited Release 2016

WHITE BLENDS

Fairview Nurok 2016
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2016
Highlands Road Sine Cera 2014
Highlands Road Sine Cera 2015
Iona One Man Band 2016
Stellenbosch Hills 1707 Reserve 2016

SPARKLING CAP CLASSIQUE

Celine Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut NV  (Nuy)
Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs 2013
Graham Beck Brut Zero 2012
Lord’s Brut Rosé NV
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2015
Wildekrans Brut Rosé 2015

 

Top Rosé Wines at NWC 2018

ROSÉ

Secret Cellar Dry Rosé ‘No 658’ 2017 (Ultra)

 

Top Red Wines at NWC 2018

CABERNET FRANC

Zorgvliet 2016

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Eikendal 2015
Flagstone Music Room 2015
Groot Constantia 2016
Jordan Long Fuse 2015
Spier 21 Gables 2014
Spier Woolworths Private Collection 2015
Spier Woolworths Vintage Selection 2016
Stark-Condé Three Pines 2015
Zorgvliet 2016

GRENACHE

Stellenbosch Vineyards Limited Release 2017

MALBEC

Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Reserve 2016

MERLOT

Almenkerk 2015
Asara Vineyard Collection  2015
Eikendal 2015
Groot Constantia 2015
Longridge 2016
Shannon Mount Bullet 2015

PETIT VERDOT

Stellenbosch Vineyards Flagship 2012

PINOT NOIR

Iona 2013

PINOTAGE

Allée Bleue 2016
Alvi’s Drift Verreaux 2015
Flagstone Writer’s Block  2016
Simonsig Redhill 2015
Wildekrans Barrel Select Reserve 2015
Wildekrans 2016

SHIRAZ

Allée Bleue 2015
Babylonstoren 2016
Bon Courage Inkará  2015
Fairview Beacon 2014
Flagstone Dark Horse 2014
Groot Constantia 2015
Rhebokskloof Vineyard Selection 2016
Saronsberg Provenance 2016
Saronsberg 2016
Simonsig Merindol Syrah 2016
Stark-Condé Three Pines Syrah 2015
Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo 2015
Zandvliet 2015

RED BLENDS

Albertus Viljoen Bismarck 2015 (Alvi’s Drift)
Albertus Viljoen Bismarck 2016 (Alvi’s Drift)
Allée Bleue Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2014
Allée Bleue L’Amour Toujours 2014
Alvi’s Drift Reserve Drift Fusion 2015
Alvi’s Drift Reserve Drift Fusion 2016
Anwilka 2014 (Klein Constantia)
Asara Vineyard Collection Cape Fusion 2015
Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2016
Boschkloof Conclusion 2015
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2015
Jordan Cobblers Hill 2015
La Bri Affinity 2014
La Motte Pierneef Syrah Viognier 2016
Leipzig Grand Master 2016
Lyra Vega 2016 (Orange River Cellars)
Napier Red Medallion 2013
Secret Cellar Shiraz Mourvèdre ‘No 822’ 2015 (Ultra)
Spier Creative Block 3 2015
Spier Creative Block 5 2015
Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Shiraz Merlot Viognier 2015
Stellenbosch Vineyards Flagship Right Bank 2015
Zevenwacht Z Reserve 2014

 

Top Sweet Wines at NWC 2018

PORT – FORTIFIED

Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2016 (Port)

DESSERT – UNFORTIFIED

Fairview La Beryl Blanc 2017 (Straw Wine)
Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2015 (Natural Sweet)