Winners announced for 2018 Perold /Absa Cape Blend

Image Supplied.

According to De Wet Viljoen, vice-chair of the Pinotage Association: "This competition is a testament to the bright future of Cape Blends. The quality of the finalists this year was exceptional. The wines showed balance, elegance and structure that will carry them through with ageing."

Beyers Truter added: "Pinotage stands eye-to-eye to any wine in the world, and the Cape Blends are clear evidence that Pinotage blends do not have to stand back to their peers in other countries."

Finalists came from a wide array of South African wine regions which is an indication that Pinotage, as a blending component, forms a crucial part of winemaking strategies for wine brands in all South African wine growing areas. The 2014 vintage stood out as a particularly good year for red wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular blending partners for Pinotage as all of the Top 5 blends this year included Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.

The judges included Jacques Roux, marketing director of DGB, Fred Viljoen and Johan Malan, proprietors and cellarmasters at Viljoensdrift and Simonsig respectively, Susan Erasmus of Laffort, Brad Gold of CWM and winemaker Guy Webber.

Image Supplied.

Winners included

• KWV Abraham Perold Tributum 2014 - WO Coastal: Shiraz, Pinotage, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon , Petit Sirah. Winemaker Louwritz Louw.

• Leipzig Master Blend 2017 - WO Western Cape: Pinotage, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. Winemaker: Vian Bester.

• Lyngrove Platinum Latitude 2016 - WO Stellenbosch: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz. Winemaker: Danie van Tonder.

• Pulpit Rock Louisa Reserve 2014 - WO Swartland: Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Petit Verdot. Winemaker: Dewald Huisamen.

• Wildekrans Cape Blend Barrel Select Reserve 2015 - WO Botrivier: Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir. Winemaker: Braam Gericke

Other Finalists:

• Anura Signature Cape Cuveé 2015 - WO Paarl: Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz . Winemaker: Stander Mass.

• Beyerskloof Faith 2015 - WO Stellenbosch: Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot. Winemaker: Anri Truter.

• Blake’s Amethyst 2016 - WO Swartland: Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Petit Verdot. Winemaker: Christoph Blake.

• Pulpit Rock Louisa Reserve 2015 - WO Swartland: Pinotage, Shiraz, Petit Verdot. Winemaker: Dewald Huisamen.

• Wellington Wines – La Cave Cape Blend 2016 - WO Wellington: Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz. Winemaker: Francois van Niekerk.