2015 Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 competition winners give cause for contemplation

Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 2015 bottle sticker - FNB_SB_Wine_Sticker_FINAL(large)_2362_20151014-01[1] (smaller)THE WINNING wines in South Africa’s 2015 FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 competition do not include any that were made at cellars in Darling, Durbanville, Cape Agulhas or the Cape Peninsula – some of the areas renowned for quality, interesting wines in this class. However they do include the Cederberg Private Cellar and Stellenbosch stalwarts Kleine Zalze and Tokara (using Elgin grapes) and Nederburg of Paarl – all classified as regular award winners on the Sauvignon front.

Perhaps the most intriguing inclusion among the Top 10 in the annual taste-off organised by the Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group SBIG and involving 234 entries is the 2015 ‘Survivor’ from the Overhex winery outside Worcester, using grapes from the Swartland. And if there had been an award for best value, it might well have gone to Merwida’s 2015 vintage at R48 a bottle from the tasting room outside Rawsonville in the Breedekloof.

The panel of judges included De Grendel cellarmaster Charles Hopkins (convenor), Masters of Wine Cathy van Zyl and Richard Kershaw, Cape Wine Master Winnie Bowman, editor of Winemag.co.za Christian Eedes as well as winemakers Trizanne Barnard and Narina Cloete.

Winners of Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 competition

Cederberg 2015
Jordan 2014 (Stellenbosch Kloof)
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sur Lie 2015 (Stellenbosch)
Merwida 2015 (Rawsonville)
Mooiplaas 2015 (Bottelary, Stellenbosch)
Nederburg II Centuries 2014 (Paarl)
Spier 21 Gables 2015 (Stellenbosch)
Survivor 2015 (Overhex cellar in Worcester, Swartland grapes)
Tokara Reserve Collection Elgin 2015 (Cellar on Simonsberg, Stellenbosch, grapes from Elgin)
Uva Mira Sing-a-Wing 2015 (Helderberg, Stellenbosch)

Other finalists

David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner 2014 (Cederberg cellar, Cape Agulhas grapes)
Durbanville Hills Rhinofields 2014
Hidden Valley 2015 (Helderberg, Stellenbosch)
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sur Lie 2013 (Stellenbosch)
Lomond 2015 (Cape Agulhas)
Mulderbosch 1000 Miles 2013 (Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch)
Nederburg Private Bin D234 2014 (Paarl)
Rivendell 2014 (Bot River)
Shannon Sanctuary Peak 2015 (Elgin)
Windmeul 2015 (Paarl)

 

For the prices of all the finalists, click here.

 

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