Winners of the 2018 Shiraz Challenge announced

Photo by Kelsey Knight on Unsplash

The varied terroir found in the Cape Winelands enables winemakers to experiment with different styles. The judging panel’s assignment was to acknowledge all styles and to judge in terms of intensity, variety characteristics and purity, and ageing potential. The aim of the competition was to identify twelve wines that can hold their own with internationally acclaimed wines.

New tasting format

According to panel chairperson Dr Andy Roediger (Cape Wine Master and chairperson for the past five years) palate fatigue can be a wine judge’s biggest enemy, especially when tasting a large selection of wines in the same category. “In addition, when using a set order for a tasting, an absolute winner can completely overshadow a fine wine following it, giving it an unfair advantage,” he explains. “For these reasons, we implemented a new tasting format (developed in conjunction with the University of Stellenbosch) with good results. Previously the panel tasted a few wines and discussed them. This year there was no discussion in between judging sets and every judge had a unique order of wines to be tasted, resulting in a more objective outcome.”

“It is easy enough to identify the top 20% and then, with a fresh palate, to choose the absolute leaders. Having twelve winning slots to fill enables us to acknowledge champs in the different styles,” said Terblanche.

The rest of the authoritative judging panel includes Charles Hopkins (Cellar Master De Grendel), Edmund Terblanche (Cellar Master La Motte and Shiraz SA Chairperson), Samarie Smith (Brand Business Manager Benguela Cove and previously wine journalist for Die Burger) and Jeanne-Mari de Villiers (Odd Bins Checkers), Jacques Borman (Cellar Master and owner of Boschkloof). Claus Fischer from Germany added his expertise for the second consecutive year. Fischer has been tasting for Mundus Vini since 2003, serves on their governing body and is Vinventions’ chief technician for quality issues. Vinventions is also the main sponsor for this competition. As in previous years, Shiraz SA empowers a protégé of the Winemakers Guild by including them on the tasting panel. This year Gynore Fredericks – currently an intern at De Grendel – had the opportunity to gain valuable experience.

And the winners are:

Front left to right: Johan Conradie (Vinventions), Johann Smit (Spier), Christi Langeveldt (Bloemendal), Ursula Lenee (KWV), Lauren Hulsman (Diemersfontein), Lutske Doubell (D’Aria), Brandon Smit (De Grendel). Back left to right: Philip Costandius (Oldenburg), Andri Hanekom (Bloemendal), Duran Cornhill (Eagles’ Nest), Kobus Jordaan (Eagles’ Nest), Bertu Nel (Boschkloof), Andri le Roux (KWV), Charl Coetzee (Babylonstoren), Klaas Stoffberg (Babylonstoren), Chris Smit (Wellington Wines), Nick van Huysteen (Saronsberg), Alvi van der Merwe (Alvi’s Drift), Edmund Terblanche (Shiraz SA Chairperson).

The champions in the category for Shiraz blends are:

• Babylonstoren Babel 2016
• Saronsberg Full Circle 2016
• Spier Creative Block 3 2015

A dozen exceptional Shiraz wines are worthy of the 2018 Top Shiraz title:

• Alvi’s Drift Signature Shiraz 2016
• Babylonstoren Shiraz 2016
• Bloemendal Syrah 2013
• Boschkloof Louis 57 Shiraz 2016
• D’Aria The Soprano Shiraz 2016,
• De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2016 (the only 1,5ℓ magnum entered)
• Diemersfontein Shiraz 2017
• Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2015
• KWV Cathedral Cellar Shiraz 2015
• Oldenburg Vineyards Syrah 2014
• Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2016
• Wellington La Cave Shiraz 2016