Shiraz Challenge

The Shiraz Challenge convened by WINE magazine is an initiative honouring South Africa’s superlative, benchmark wines in the category, culminating in an annual award presentation to honour the top rated wine and winning producer.

2010

WINNER RATED 4½ STARS
1. Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2007

ALSO RATED 4½ STARS
2. Rickety Bridge Shiraz 2008

RATED 4 STARS
3. Benguela Cove Walker Bay Premium Selection Shiraz 2008
4. Eagles' Nest Shiraz 2008
5. Spier Private Collection Shiraz 2007
6. Hartenberg Shiraz 2006
7. Terra D'Aria The Soprano Reserve Shiraz 2008
8. Flagstone Dark Horse 2007
9. Windmeul Reserve Shiraz 2008
10. Rainbow's End Single Vineyard Shiraz 2008

ALSO 4 STARS
Glenelly The Glass Collection Shiraz 2009
De Grendel Shiraz 2008
Fort Simon Shiraz 2007
Bon Courage Limited Release Inkará Shiraz 2008
Avontuur Dominion Royale Reserve Shiraz 2008
Dunstone Shiraz 2008
Steenberg Shiraz 2008

2009

TOP 10 WINES OVERALL (in order of arithmetic average score)

WINNER RATED 4½ Stars
1. Diemersdal Shiraz 2007

ALSO RATED 4½ Stars AND BEST VALUE WINNER
2. Kango Shiraz 2008

RATED 4 STARS
3. Neil Ellis Elgin Shiraz 2007
4. Lynx Shiraz 2007
5. Nash Family Vineyards Rhinoceros Hill Shiraz 2008
5. Windfall Shiraz 2007
7. GlenWood Shiraz 2007
7. Klein Zalze Family Reserve Shiraz 2007
9. Dombeya Boulder Road Shiraz 2007
10. Windmeul Reserve Shiraz 2007

ALSO 4 STARS
Rudi Schultz Syrah 2007

2008

WINNER RATED 4½ STARS:
Nederburg The Winemaster’s Reserve Shiraz 2006

ALSO RATED 4½ STARS:
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Shiraz 2006
Lomond Conebush Syrah 2006
Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 2005
Stellenzicht Golden Triangle Shiraz 2005

RATED 4 STARS:
Thelema Shiraz 2006
Quoin Rock Simonsberg Syrah 2005

2007

WINNER RATED 4½ STARS:
Bon Courage Inkará Shiraz 2005

ALSO RATED 4½ STARS:
Cloof Crucible Shiraz 2004

RATED 4 STARS:
Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2004
Boschrivier Shiraz 2004
Brampton Shiraz 2005 (Rustenberg)
Fairview Shiraz 2005
Hartenberg The Stork Shiraz 2004
Joostenberg Shiraz Viognier 2005
Koelfontein Shiraz 2005
Lomond Conebush Syrah 2005
Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2005 (Boekenhoutskloof)
Quoin Rock Simonsberg Syrah 2005
Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2005
Savanha Shiraz 2005 (Spier)
Woolworths Darling Cellars Reserve 2004

2006

WINNER RATED 4½ STARS:
Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 2003

ALSO RATED 4½ STARS:
Koelfontein Shiraz 2004

RATED 4 STARS:
Avondale Syrah 2003
Bon Cap Syrah 2004
Cloof The Very Sexy Shiraz 2004
Fairview Solitude Shiraz 2003
Groote Post Shiraz 2003
Marianne Shiraz 2004
Raka Biography Shiraz 2004

2005

WINNER RATED 5 STARS:
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Shiraz 2003

RATED 4½ STARS:
Boschrivier Shiraz 2003
Fiona Syrah 2002 (Flagstone)
Hartenberg Shiraz 2003

RATED 4 STARS:
Akkerdal Syrah 2003
Bon Courage Shiraz 2003
Boschendal Reserve Shiraz 2002
De Trafford Blueprint Shiraz 2003
Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Shiraz 2003
Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2003
Lievland Shiraz 2003
Spice Route Flagship Syrah 2002
Stellenzicht Syrah 2003

2004

WINNER RATED 4½ STARS:
Simonsig Merindol Syrah 2001

ALSO RATED 4½ STARS:
Cederberg Shiraz 2002
Devon Hill Shiraz 2002
Eikendal Shiraz 2002
Havana Hills Du Plessis Shiraz 2001

RATED 4 STARS:
Alto Shiraz 2001
Anura Shiraz 2002
Bellingham The Maverick Shiraz 2002 (DGB)
Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2001
BWC Shiraz 2001
Fairview JakkalsFontein Shiraz 2002
Fiona Syrah 2002 (Flagstone)
Graham Beck The Ridge Syrah 2001
Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2001 (Waterford)
La Motte Shiraz 2002
Manley Shiraz 2002
Rijk’s Shiraz 2001
Spice Route Flagship Syrah 2001
Stellenzicht Golden Triangle Shiraz 2002
Vins d’Orrance Cuvée Ameena Syrah 2002