This is the third year that Shiraz SA presented the competition and it
is significant that certain producers have featured amongst the finalists from
the word go.
The fact that there are 12 winners instead of just one, makes this
competition so much more attractive from a producer’s perspective. “There is a wide spectrum of styles to be found under
South African Shiraz and it would be rather absurd to single out one wine as
the best example produced from this noble cultivar” says Edmund Terblanche,
chairman of Shiraz SA. “And it just makes more sense to market a package with
12 winning wines” he added.
Expectation was in the air when the envelope with the winning names was
opened and the smiles were wide:
Shiraz Top 12 for 2015 (in alphabetical order)
Bellingham The Bernard Series Basket Press Syrah 2013
Cederberg Shiraz 2013
Driehoek Shiraz 2012
Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2012
Fairview Eenzaamheid Shiraz 2013
Groot Constantia Shiraz 2013
La Vigne Single Vineyard Shiraz 2007
Rustenberg Buzzard Kloof Syrah 2011
Strandveld First Sighting Shiraz 2012
Uva Mira D.W. Syrah 2013
Van Loveren Christina van Loveren Shiraz 2013
Wildekrans Barrel Select Reserve Shiraz 2012
Top 4 Shiraz blends for 2015 (in alphabetical
order)
Bellingham The Bernard Series Small Barrell SMV 2013
KWV The
Mentors Canvas 2012
KWV The
Mentors Canvas 2013
Saronsberg Full Circle 2012
The guys from Boschendal and Bellingham had good reason to pat
themselves on the back. Bellingham’s The Bernard Series Small Barrell SMV 2013
was crowned one of the four best blends while The Bernard Series Basket Press
Syrah 2013 walked off with a trophy for one of the top 12 Shirazes. The two
Boschendal blends, the 2013 Boschendal 1685 S & M and the 2013 Boschendal
Larone both ended under the finalists. Last year the Boschendal 1685
KWV repeated their success of 2014. Interestingly however, this year it
was in the category for blends. They made a clean sweep by pocketing two of the
four available trophies.
In 2014 Cederberg’s David Nieuwoudt scooped up two trophies in the
category for Shiraz.This year his 2013 Cederberg Shiraz was once again rewarded
with a trophy. And just to show that he knows his stuff when it comes to
Shiraz, the Driehoek Shiraz 2012, a wine David produces in his cellar for
Driehoek, also walked off with a trophy.
The Saronsberg Full Circle that ended under the finalists for Shiraz
blends in 2014, bagged the fourth trophy in this category with the 2012 vintage
of this wine.
Fairview triumphed with their Shiraz for the second year in succession.
Last year it was The Beacon Shiraz that gained victory while this year the
honours went to the Fairview Eenzaamheid Shiraz 2013. After two years of
finding themselves under the finalists, Eagles’ Nest was more than happy to
collect a trophy for a position under the the top 12.
Wildekrans, Rustenberg, Uva Mira and La Vigne, all first time entrants
in the competition were clearly as pleased as punch with their good fortune.
Both Uva Mira and La Vigne had a second wine in the
line-up of finalists.
About two years ago French coopers, Tonnellerie Berthomieu Ermitage,took
the Shiraz Challenge under their financial wing. The company has been involved
with the production of staves for four generations and is currently the biggest
producer of French oak staves. Their annual production is the equivalent of a
staggering 70 000 barrels! BerthomieuErmitage is being represented in
South Africa by Juvenal Cork SA.
A total of 202 wines were entered this year and the organisers
weremightily pleased with the steady growth the competition shows. “Time and
again Shiraz is die class that draws of the most entries in competitions
and we believe that the Challenge has the potential to grow even further in
future.” remarked Terblanche.
A panel of 7 respected judges and Shiraz cognoscenti evaluated the wines
over a period of 3 days. Cape Wine Master, dr Andy Roediger, acted as convenor
and panel chairman for the second year. He was assisted by Remington Norman,
British Master of Wine, Marc Friederich (restauranteur and sommelier), Pearl
Oliver (Sommellier Mount Nelson Hotel), Charles Hopkins (Cellar Master De
Grendel and Chairman SANWS), Mark Norrish (Buyer: Ultra Liquors) and Francois
Naudé (Manager: Wine, Rhebokskloof). Deloitte & Touche kept a watchful eye
on the judging process. They have been involved with the competition from its
inception.
The judges were unanimous that the style and quality of South African
Shiraz has definitely improved to a lighter style, more fruit driven and with
excellent balance. The general concensus was that a significant number of wine
just missed the 20 finalists. The panel was pleasantly surprised with the
quality of the 12 finalists in the category for blends and were of the opinion
that the 4 winners more than deserved their awards.
The marketing and sales of the mixed cases of winning wines will from
this year be handled by Cyber Celler. Coastal Labels is once again the supplier
of the distinctive sticker that has been specially designed for the
competition.
Guests were able to taste the 32 finalist wines before the lunch while
the winners were served with the three course meal. A selection of these wines
will be presented at a food and wine paring dinner at the Vineyard Hotel in
August this year. Consumers will be able to taste these wines at the annual
Shiraz Showcase. The 7th Showcase, also sponsored by Berthomieu Ermitage takes place on Thursday 18th June between 18:00 and 21:00. The event moves back to the Cape Town Convention Centre where it was held the very first time
Tickets at R120 per person can be booked via Webtickets or purchased at the door. The price includes a wine glass and brochure of the wines on show while dishes that compliment Shiraz will be on sale. Limited tickets are available and it is advisable to book in advance to prevent disappointment.
For further information contact Sandra Lotz at 082 924 7254 or send
an e-mail to info@shirazsa.co.za
Twitter: @Shiraz_SA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShirazSouthAfrica