WHAT A GREAT year already for leading Cabernet Franc specialist of South Africa Bruwer Raats. Beginning with 5 Star ratings in Platter’s SA Wine Guide for two wines from the 2016 vintage, the Stellenbosch maverick then came top of the class on Winemag.co.za before placing among the Top 6 gold medallists at the 2019 Cab Franc Challenge.

Two of the other Challenge winners in 2019 with top track records in terms of the SA Cab Franc Classification are Holden Manz of Franschhoek and Nelson Estate of Paarl. Mulderbosch impressed with two winning vintages, and of the blends that grabbed most attention, Landskroon will please the bargain hunters big time.

The competition judges: Cape Wine Masters Christine Rudman (chair) and Lizette Tolken, retailer Mike Brampfield-Duggan (Wine Concepts), wine writer Fiona McDonald and sommelier Greg Mutambe (12 Apostles).

The panel’s favourites on the day are detailed below and all of the gold medallists are recorded here – most of them available for tasting and purchasing during the Cab Franc Carnival to be held in Somerset West on 18 May.

TOP 6 CABERNET FRANCS

Hillcrest Saartjie Single Vineyard 2017
R145pb at Durbanville Cellar

Holden Manz 2017
R695pb at Franschhoek Cellar

Lisha Nelson 2017
R520pb at Paarl Cellar

Mulderbosch 2015
R408pb at Polkadraai Hills Cellar, Stellenbosch

Mulderbosch 2016
R408pb at Polkadraai Hills Cellar, Stellenbosch

Raats Dolomite 2016
R165pb at Stellenbosch Cellar

VALUE AWARD WINNER

Bushmanspad Cabernet Franc 2015
R130pb at Bonnievale Cellar, Robertson District

TOP 3 CAB FRANC BLENDS

Landskroon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2017
R64pb at Paarl Cellar

Morgenster Lourens River Valley 2012
R190pb at Somerset West Cellar

My Wyn Les Grandes Horizontales 2015
R320pb at Franschhoek Cellar