Four dozen shirazes this morning and four dozen last week at zero cost to the producer (apart from two bottles of wine for the tastings) confirms that our weekly RECM Best Value Tastings have serious traction in the industry. We welcome a new taster today – sommelier Tinashe Nyamudoka from the Test Kitchen which leaves the competition totally stuck in the mud. A real sommelier, not an entrepreneur with a sommelier hangover.

The top scoring six pack was

Alto Shiraz 2012 score 15.90 price R175.00
Lourensford Shiraz 2013 score 15.80 price R110.00
Diemersfontein Shiraz 2014 score 15.80 price R96.00
Esona Shiraz 2010 score 15.70 price R128.00
Lomond Cat’s Tail Vineyard Syrah 2013 score 15.70 price R272.00
Uitkyk Shiraz 2010 score 15.70 price R95.00

with half the wines from Cape Legends. Waving the RECM fairy wand and Distell remain in the picture, but for different wines.

Obikwa Shiraz 2014 score 14.90 price R30.00 value R91.31
Hill & Dale Shiraz 2013 score 15.50 price R50.00 value R138.94
Slanghoek Private Selection Shiraz 2011 score 15.00 price R42.00 value R98.60
Diemersfontein Shiraz 2014 score 15.80 price R96.00 value R205.87
Lourensford Shiraz 2013 score 15.80 price R110.00 value R205.87
Excelsior Paddock Shiraz 2012 score 14.90 price R49.50 value R91.31

Christo Wiese will be pleased to see his Lourensford 2013 in the line-up as after dropping R18 million for a runway in the Kalahari he will appreciate a good value red to celebrate his Shoprite/Checkers supermarkets shooting out the lights.