Top 6 winners of the Cabernet Franc Challenge: Behind, lef to right: Alex Shone (Mitre’s Edge), Bernard Nicholls (Mitre’s Edge), Jeremy van Heerden (Journey’s End), Toit Wessels (Ridgeback), Lauren Hulsman (Diemersfontein), and Jana Jarmain (Rainbow’s End). Front: Wilhelm Pienaar (Hermanuspietersfontein).
The ninth Cabernet Franc Challenge tasting took place recently at the beautiful Vrede en Lust Estate, located in the centre of the Cape Winelands between Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek.
Chairperson Fiona Mc Donald, Lizette Tolken CWM and Janine van Zyl tasted through thirty entries to determine the winners of the three categories being Top six, Best 3 Blends and the Best Value scoring wine.
The overall winning wine with the highest score was the Mitre’s Edge 2021 Cabernet Franc, for which they received the Cobie van Oort Cabernet Franc Challenge Trophy. Rounding out the top six (in no specific order) were the Thokozani Cabernet Franc 2022 from Diemersfontein, Hermanuspietersfontein Swartskaap Cabernet Franc 2019, Ridgeback 2021 Cabernet Franc 2021, Rainbow’s End Cabernet Franc 2022, and Journey's End V5 Cabernet Franc 2021.
The top 3 wines (in no specific order) in the category for Blended Cabernet Francs (minimum 50% of the varietal) were the Raats Jasper Red Blend 2021, Ridgeback The Journey 2020, and The Mitre 2020 from Mitre’s Edge.
The Best Value Award category was scooped up by the Thokozani Cabernet Franc 2022 from Diemersfontein.
Chairperson Fiona McDonald said in her report: “Cabernet Francis only now beginning to get the respect it deserves, both locally and internationally. Global critics, such as acclaimed London-based Master Sommelier Isa Bal, believe the grape offers greater nuance and interest, as well as dinking enjoyment, than its more favoured offspring, Cabernet Franc.”
Fiona also stated that the overall quality of wines tasted was impressive across the board and that the judges praised the evidence of restraint in both ripeness and oaking as well as balance.
Cape Wine Master Lizette Tolken said that the wines were generally succulent with subtlety and impressive ripeness.
Singling out the blends for attention, Janine van Zyl said “they were all well made and provided more than a nod to their Bordelaise compatriots. I thought there was good use of other grape varieties in the blends but the Cabernet Franc still shone through.”
Results of the Cabernet Franc Challenge 2024
Overall winner (Cobie van Oort Cabernet Franc Challenge Trophy)
Mitre's Edge Cabernet Franc 2021
Top 6
- Diemersfontein Thokozani Cabernet Franc 2022
- Hermanuspieterfontein Swartskaap 2019
- Journey's End V5 Cabernet Franc 2021
- Mitre's Edge Cabernet Franc 2021
- Rainbow's End Cabernet Franc 2022
- Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2021
Best value winner
- Thokozani Cabernet Franc 2022
Top 3 blends
- Mitre's Edge The Mitre 2020
- Raats Jasper Red Blend 2021
- Ridgeback Journey 2020
Gold medals
- Bellevue The Reserve Collection Cabernet Franc 2021
- Hermanuspietersfontein Sondagskloof Right Bank 2020
- Holden Manz Reserve Cabernet Franc 2020
- Lozarn Wines Cabernet Franc 2022
- Marklew Cabernet Franc 2021
- Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2021
- Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2021
- Rainbow's End Cabernet Franc Limited Release 2022
- Rietvallei MB Cabernet Franc 2019
- The Garajeest Bruce Cabernet Franc 2019
- Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc 2021
Gold medals (blends)
- Survivor Cellar Master Series Pendulum 2019
Cabernet Franc Carnival
People interested in tasting these spectacular wines, priced anywhere from R150 to almost a R1000 a bottle, should get their tickets for the Cabernet Franc Carnival on 25 May at Vrede en Lust, Franschhoek.
Some of the wineries participating at the Cab Franc Carnival on 25 May are Mitre’s Edge, Delaire Graff, Bellevue, Hermanuspietersfontein, Holden Manz, Journeys End, Lynx Wine Estate, Morgenster, Raats Family Wines, Rainbow’s End Estate, The Garajeest, Thor Vintners, Villiera, and Vrede en Lust.
Tickets are available through Quicket. A ticket costs R350 per person, which includes entry to the Carnival, parking, a branded crystal wine glass, live music and a R60 food voucher.
For more information, contact Björn van Oort from CVO Marketing at 084 511 1806, or follow the Cab Franc Carnival Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cabfranccarnival.