The 20 Finalists for the 2020 ABSA/Pinotage Association Top 10 Competition are:
Aan de Doorns Pinotage 2018
WO Worcester, Winemakers Chris van Deventer & Chris Geldenhuys
Anura Signature Pinotage 2017
WO Simonsberg-Paarl, Winemaker Stander Maass
Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2016
WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker Anri Truter
Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2017
WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker Anri Truter
Beyerskloof Reserve Pinotage 2017
WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker Anri Truter
Conradie Family Vineyards Pinotage 2019
WO Western Cape, Winemaker CP Conradie
Delheim Vera Cruz Pinotage 2016
WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Winemaker
Roelof Lotriet
Diemersdal The Journal Pinotage 2018
WO Durbanville, Winemaker Thys Louw
Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve
Pinotage 2017
WO Durbanville, Winemaker Wilhelm Coetzee
The Glen Carlou Collection Pinotage 2019
WO Swartland, Winemaker Johnnie Calitz
Kaapzicht Pinotage 2018
WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker Danie Steytler
Pulpit Rock’s Brink Family Vineyards
Pinotage 2018
WO Swartland, Winemaker Dewald Huisamen
Rijk's Reserve Pinotage 2015
WO Tulbagh, Winemaker Pierre Wahl
Rijk's Private Cellar Pinotage 2014
WO Tulbagh, Winemaker Pierre Wahl
Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2018
WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker Michael Malan
Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2017
WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker Johan Jordaan
Springfontein Jonathan's Ridge Single Vineyard Pinotage 2016
WO Walker Bay, Winemaker Tariro Masayiti
Viljoensdrift River Grandeur Single
Vineyard Pinotage 2018
WO Robertson, Winemaker Fred Viljoen
Wellington Wines’ La Cave Pinotage 2018
WO Wellington, Winemaker Francois van
Niekerk
Windmeul’s The Legend Collection Pinotage
2018
WO Paarl, Winemaker Abraham van Heerden
Three entries for Pinotage specialists Beyerskloof and two for big-hitters Rijk's, with all but one of the rest being frequent finalists or winners, the 24th year of this competition is showing the wineries that have have demonstrated mastery of the variety over two decades.
The 149 entries were judged by Winnie Bowman (Cape Wine Master and panel convenor), Tsogo Sun sommelier Georgio Meletiou, Spier cellarmaster Frans Smit, wine writer Fiona McDonald and viticulturist Solly Monyanane, a protégé judge in 2019.
The six finalists for the ICON Vintage Class are
Flagstone Writers Block Pinotage 2008
WO Breedekloof, Winemaker Gerhard Swart
Kanonkop Estate Pinotage 2009
WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar
Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Pinotage 2010
WO Jonkershoek Valley in Stellenbosch, Winemaker Warren Ellis
Rijk's Reserve Pinotage 2007
WO Tulbagh, Winemaker Pierre Wahl
Rijk's Reserve Pinotage 2010
WO Tulbagh, Winemaker Pierre Wahl
Rijk's Private Cellar Pinotage 2010
WO Tulbagh, Winemaker Pierre Wahl