“PERHAPS the ‘Cape Blend’ is simply a concept that has run out of time” – Winemag’s Christian Eedes, commenting on the poor showing and no-shows by Pinotage-driven combos for the publication’s 2019 Signature Red Blend Report. Perhaps what many Cape Blend producers have a problem with is the random nature of this competition whereby almost anything goes – apart from 100% Bordeaux-style blends which are reviewed in a separate report. Is it acceptable, in terms of the main component of each blend, to compare Cabernet with Shiraz with Tempranillo with Pinotage with Touriga Naçional etc etc?

Instead of the usual practice of tasting various groups of wine according to style, the 58 entries from 42 producers were judged as “one continuous line-up”. On the panel: Christian Eedes (chair) with wine merchants Roland Peens and James Pietersen of Wine Cellar.

As it turned out, more than a dozen of the 32 wines rated 90 to 94 (excellent to outstanding) were Rhône-style by way of their varietal make-up – including five of the Top 12 and one of the Top 2. The judges’ absolute favourites: Rust en Vrede Estate 2016 (Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot) and Donkiesbaai Rooiwijn 2017 (Grenache, Cinsaut, Shiraz) from Jean Engelbrecht’s cellars in the Helderberg area of Stellenbosch, with grapes for the Rooijwijn trucked to Guardian Peak from Piekenierskloof outside Citrusdal.

Also considered outstanding were Fairview Extraño 2016 (71% Tempranillo, Paarl cellar), Org de Rac Die Waghuis 2017 (44% Grenache, Piketberg cellar), Plaisir de Merle Grand Plaisir 2014 (58% Cabernet Sauvignon, Simonsberg-Paarl cellar) and Vondeling Monsonia 2016 (67% Shiraz, Voor Paardeberg cellar in Paarl). Only three of the submissions were Pinotage-driven (Cape Blends), none of which were deemed ‘excellent’, let alone ‘outstanding’.