2017 Top 5 Cape Blends

Winners of the seventh Absa Perold Cape Blend Competition were announced on 4 October 2017. The five equal winners are:

Cape West Shiraz Pinotage Limited Release 2015
Namaqua Wines, WO Olifants River
Idiom Cape Blend 2015
WO Stellenbosch: Pinotage, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz
Lyngrove Platinum Latitude 2015
WO Stellenbosch: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Pinotage, 23% Shiraz
Simonsig Frans Malan Cape Blend 2015
WO Stellenbosch: 67% Pinotage, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot
Windmeul Cape Blend Reserve 2015
WO Coastal: Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

The definition of a Cape Blend is a minimum of 30% and maximum of 70% Pinotage.

Pinotage Association chair Beyers Truter said “It’s encouraging to see how winemakers have embraced this challenge by creating unique wines that involve a vast array of styles and techniques.”

De Wet Viljoen, vice-chair of the Association, remarked that the leading examples are testimony to the quality of top South African combos that can represent the country among the best wines anywhere in the world. 

Jacques Roux, convener of the judging panel, concurred, reflecting on diversity of styles and praising the astonishing quality of the 53 entries this year. Cape Blends, he said, are a reflection of the winemaker’s vision, adding that it is delightful to see how they combine different variables to make for world-class combinations.

Absa’s Provincial Managing Executive in the Western Cape, John Tshabalala, commented that Pinotage and Cape Blends are truly unique jewels in the South African winelands. On the subject of Absa’s support, he said that: “This partnership reflects our long-standing commitment not only to the Pinotage Association but to the South African wine industry as a whole.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz are popular blending partners for Pinotage;  four of the Top 5 blends  included Cabernet Sauvignon and three Shiraz. 

2017 is a good year for Windmeul who also won a trophy at this years Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards.

The competition was judged by: Jacques Roux (experienced judge and  marketing director of DGB), Fred Viljoen and Johan Malan (proprietors and cellarmasters at Viljoensdrift and Simonsig respectively), Susan Erasmus (previously winemaker at Vrede en Lust and now at Laffort SA), Brad Gold (Cape Wine Master and head of marketing at Oak Valley) and Marené de Beer (winemaker at Altydgedacht)

Runners up were:
Bosman Family Vineyards Erfenis 2014
WO Wellington: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Cape West Cabernet Sauvignon Pinotage Limited Release 2015
Namaqua Wines, WO Olifants River
Idiom Cape Blend 2013
WO Stellenbosch: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Pulpit Rock Louisa Reserve 2014
WO Swartland: Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Petit Verdot
Springfontein Limestone Rocks Whole Lotta Love Cape Red Blend 2015
WO Walker Bay: Pinotage, Shiraz, Petit Verdot

Congratulations to all.