Six wineries celebrated their awards as the top 6 in the first inaugural Cabernet Franc Challenge on Wednesday, 20 April at an intimate function at Avontuur Estate, the sponsors of the Cabernet Franc Carnival on 21 May 2016.
The top six wines are in alphabetical order: HermanuspietersfonteinSwartskaap 2012, Holden Manz Cabernet Franc Reserve 2014, Jacob’s Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2012, KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2012, KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2013, and Whalehaven Cabernet Franc 2010.
“It was a privilege to taste the 32 wines entered. They are made with care and are not formulaic in any way,” said Judging Panel Chairperson Christine Rudman CWM. “Partly I believe this is due to it being a niche varietal, where passion for the grape drives the winemaker to produce a wine of outstanding quality. No-one is going to get rich out of Cab Franc, so you have to love it to make it and it is this respect for the varietal which came through in the entries,” she concluded.
Fellow judges LizetteTolken, Samarie Smith, Greg Mutambe and Mike Bampfield-Duggan particularly loved the aromatics and were impressed with how the fruit was interwoven with the herbaceous elements so integral to the varietal. Two styles were prominent namely the light-bodied easy-drinking approach which makes this such an attractive wine to enjoy anywhere and then the more serious style, which should be fantastic for ageing.
The Top Six Cabernet Francs South Africa has to offer is exclusively available through wine.co.za as a mixed pack selection, whilst stocks last. Click HERE for deliveries anywhere in SA.
In addition the public can taste the Top Six at the Cabernet Franc Carnival at Avontuur Estate at one of three tutored tastings at 11h30, 13h30 and 15h30 respectively. Only 20 persons per tasting. Tickets for the Carnival can be bought from winery@avontuurestate.co.za at R120 pp or R170 pp which includes one of the tutored tasting sessions. A few of the gift packs will be for sale from the tasting room at Avontuur on the day too.
The judging was done blind and the process and results were audited by Moore Stevens Stellenbosch.
Released for the Cabernet Franc Challenge by Cobie van Oort of CVO Marketing. Contact: 083-556-3740
Caption 1: The Top Six wines in the inaugural Cab Franc Challenge offer a quality drinking experience.
Caption 2: The winners of the first Cabernet Franc Challenge with Panel Chair Christine Rudman and host Michael Taberer from Avontuur Estate.
They are back fltr: Reino Thiart (Whalehaven), Andre de Lange (Jacob’s Vineyard), Gerard Holden (Holden Manz) and Michael Taberer (Avontuur Estate.)
Front: Monique Fourie (KWV), Izelle van Blerk (KWV), Christine Rudman (CWM) and Kim McFarlane (Hermanuspietersfontein).