The Orange River Cellars Lyra Vega 2013, a blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Shiraz, impressed the judges with “red and black fruit, some tea leaf plus spice and a hint of chocolate. Full and dense, although fresh acidity provides balance and the firm but fine tannins ensure the wine ends suitably dry.”
Some 63 entries from 46 producers were received for the inaugural competition seeking South Africa’s best blended red wines. Christian Eedes, editor of Winemag and convener of the panel for the Laurium Capital Signature Red Blend Competition, said the judges sought wines which were distinctive of their originators.
“Instead of the usual practice of dividing them into various sub-groups according to style (Pinotage-based vs Shiraz-based being the differentiation most usually made), we tasted them as one continuous line-up – the thinking being that the fundamentals of wine appreciation such as complexity and balance should apply when it came to making quality assessments,” he said.
Eedes lauded the quality of the entries in an exciting line-up. “Wines in this category shows a real sense of adventure on the part of producers which translates to particular excitement in the glass.”
Koos Visser, marketing manager for Orange River Cellars said that it is an honour for Orange River to achieve a rare 91pt score in a wine competition that attracted some of South Africa’s leading wines from regions who have a pedigree for red wine quality.
“Despite the geographical challenges attached to making premium wine in the Northern Cape, the producers, viticulturists and winemakers have shown in the past few years that they are up to the task,” he said.
“And with this wine, the Lyra Vega, they have truly shown what we are capable of as a winemaking unit. To create a blended red wine that shines in front of a team of wine experts holds great significance for us, and I can assure everyone that the international and national wine markets now see Orange River Cellars in a new light.
“The fact that we are located 800 km from the traditional winelands of the Cape means that Orange River Cellars has to work hard to confirm our image as a quality region in the eyes of the consumer,” he says.
“Besides awarding our products, awards such as the Laurium Capital Signature Red Blend Competition are important in acting as an indication of where we are in terms of quality as measures alongside our peers. The latest results have once again shown that the time for Orange River Cellars and the Northern Cape wine region have come and that we are now making wines recognised not only for their quality, but for the regional originality and a true sense of place.”