The fourth annual Cape Bordeaux Red Blend Report was recently released by Winemag.co.za – 33 wines out of a total of 81 entries received rating 90 points or higher on the 100-point quality scale.

The producer of the wine judged best overall won a new 300-litre Selection barrel worth €955 (equivalent to R15 175 at the current exchange rate) from Tonnellerie Sylvain – this went to Zorgvliet for the Richelle 2016 which received a rating of 94 on the 100-point quality scale.

Winemag.co.za also included a ringer in the form of Bordeaux Second Growth Leoville Poyferre 2014, which available from Cape Town retailer Wine Cellar at R1 405 a bottle – this rated 88 points suggesting that South Africa can now easily compete with the world’s best.

The Bordeaux region in the southwest of France is famous for its red blends, the best of which have the ability to mature with benefit for many years in bottle. The two grape varieties that feature most prominently are austere Cabernet Sauvignon and fleshy Merlot, although Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot also play a role. The style has been imitated around the world and South Africa is no exception.

Wines were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by the three-person panel and the wines to rate 90 or higher were as follows:

94
Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2016
Price: R325

Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2015
Price: R170

Zorgvliet Richelle 2016 – BEST WINE OVERALL
Price: R290

93
Ernie Els Signature 2014
Price: R785

MR de Compostella 2014
Price: R1 265

Muratie Ansela van de Caab 2015
Price: R360

92
Fairview Drie Papen Fontein Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2016
Price: R200

Fleur du Cap Laszlo 2015
Price: R415

Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2015
Price: R415

Miravel 1952 Family Blend 2015
Price: R175

Tokara Director’s Reserve 2014
Price: R400

91
Idiom Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot Malbec 2015
Price: R300

Spier Creative Block 5 2015
Price: R159

90
Babylonstoren Nebukadneser 2016
Price: R498

Bartinney Elevage 2011
Price: R276

Creation Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot 2016
Price: R202

DeMorgenzon Maestro Red 2016
Price: R215

Diemersdal Private Collection 2013
Price: R150

Fleur du Cap Laszlo 2014
Price: R430

Haskel IV 2012
Price: R350

Keet First Verse 2013
Price: R385

Lanzerac Le Général 2015
Price: R500

Leopard Frog Vineyards Tantra 2006
Price: R199.95

Louis57 Jasoma Conclusion 2016 (Boschkloof)
Price: R200

MR de Compostella 2015
Price: R1 150

Overgaauw Tria Corda 2014
Price: R388

Raats Red Jasper 2015
Price: R195

Rousseau Babette 2015
Price: R120

Simonsig Tiara 2015
Price: R325

Vondeling Philosophie 2015
Price: R720

Vrede en Lust Boet Erasmus 2014
Price: R205

Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2015
Price: R160

Warwick Trilogy 2015
Price: R350

To read the tasting report in full, go to Winemag.co.za.

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