Top wines in Shiraz Challenge
In this year's Global Trader Shiraz Challenge two wines were tied for first place, both possessing the same arithmetic average score, these being Rickety Bridge 2008 and Saronsberg Provenance 2007. Of the five judges, once scored the rickety Bridge higher, one scored them exactly the same and three the Saronsberg higher, making the latter wine winner.
A Top 10 is also presented in order to draw attention to the depth of quality and breadth of styles that the Shiraz category displays. The wine with the best quality/price ration in the context of the average price per bottle and therefore winner of this year's best value award was Obikwa 2009 from producer wholesaler Distell.
View a video discussion of the final round tasting here.
Top 10 Wines Overall
In order of arithmetic average score
1. Saronsberg Provenance 2007
2. Rickety Bridge 2008
3. Benguela Cove Walker Bay Premium
Selection 2008
4. Eagles' Nest 2008
5. Spier Private Collection 2007
6. Hartenberg 2006
7. Terra D'Aria The Soprano Reserve 2008
8. Flagstone Dark Horse 2007
9. Windmeul Reserve 2008
10. Rainbow's End Single Vineyard 2008
Top 10
In order of Star rating, then ascending price
★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ FOUR AND A HALF STARS
Provenance 2007 SARONSBERG PRICE: R89
Rickety Bridge 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R100
★ ★ ★ ★ FOUR STARS
Windmeul Reserve 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R60
Rainbow's End
Single Vineyard 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R98
Terra D'Aria
The Soprano Reserve 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R108
Benguela Cove Walker Bay
Premium Selection 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R110
Hartenberg 2006
CELLAR PRICE: R130
Spier Private Collection 2007
APPROXIMATE RETAIL PRICE: R135
Eagles' Nest 2008*
CELLAR PRICE: R190
Flagstone Dark Horse 2007*
(Constellation Wines SA)
CELLAR PRICE: R200
Also 4 Stars
★ ★ ★ ★ FOUR STARS
Glenelly
The Glass Collection 2009*
CELLAR PRICE: R75
De Grendel 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R85
Fort Simon 2007
CELLAR PRICE: R97
Bon Courage Limited Release
Inkará 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R105
Avontuur Dominion Royale
Reserve 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R120
Dunstone 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R120
Steenberg 2008
CELLAR PRICE R120
★ ★ ★ ✩ THREE AND A HALF STARS
Morton's 2005 R55
Robertson Wolfkloof 2007 R57.60
Nederburg R60
The Winemaster's Reserve 2008
Rhebokskloof Estate 2008 R62
Boland Cellar R77
Natural Reserve No 1 2008
Rhebokskloof R102
Black Marble Hill 2007
Groot Constantia 2007 R106
Diemersfontein Carpe Diem 2007 R110
Cederberg 2008 R140
Nelson Estate 2008 R140
Journey's End R145
The Cape Doctor 2005
Oldenburg Vineyards 2008 R155
Anatu 2008 R160
Nicolas van der Merwe 2007 R180
KWV The Mentor's 2008 R195
★ ★ ★ THREE STARS
Obikwa 2009* (Distell) ARP R23.95
De Wet 2009 R28
La Bonne Vigne 2009* R39
Koelenbosch 2007 (Koelenhof) R40
Uitvlucht 2008 R47
(Montagu Wine and Spirit Company)
Stellenrust 2008 R49
Hawksmoor at Matjieskuil R49.50
Saint Alfege's Syrah Mouvédre 2008*
Simonsig Mr Borio's 2006 R54
Lutzville R57.49
The Diamond Collection 2008
Indalo 2007 (Swartland) ARP R62.95
Terra D'Aria Shiraz Viognier 2008 R64
Hazendal 2008 R65
Tokara Zondernaam 2007* R65
Laborie Limited Collection 2007 R67
Diemersfontein 2008 R69
Hoopenburg Bush Vines 2006 R69
Stellenzicht Golden Triangle 2006 ARP R69
Dieu Donné 2007 R70
De Vallei 2008 R75
MAN Vintners Reserve 2008* R75
Viljoensdrift R75
River Grandeur 2008
Allée Bleue 2007 R80
Black Pearl 2008* R85
La Cave 2008 (Wamakersvallei) R85
Backsberg Pumphouse 2007 R88
Provenance 2008 (Saronsberg) R89
Tukulu 2007 ARP R90
La Bri 2006 R100
Jordan 2007* R103
Andreas 2008 R110
Lomond 2007 ARP R110
Thelema 2006 R110
Cape to Cairo 2006 ARP R116.67
The Bernard Series Basket Press R127
Bellingham 2007 (DGB) ARP
Hartenberg 2007 R130
Marianne 2007 R162
La Vigne Single Vineyard 2007 R185
Meerendal Bin 159 2006 R185
La Motte Pierneef Collection R189
Shiraz Viognier 2007
Vergelegen 2007 ARP R190
Kleine Zalze R195
Family Reserve 2007
Stellenzicht 2003 ARP R210
Stark-Condé ree Pines R225
Jonkershoek Valley 2008
★ ★ ✩ TWO AND A HALF STARS
Bovlei 2008 R38.50
Rooiberg Woolworths R38.95
Red Stone 2008 ARP
Simonsvlei Premier Selection 2008* R40
DC Black Granite 2009* R43
(Darling Cellars)
Landskroon 2008 R45
Alexanderfontein 2008* R46
(Ormonde)
Stellenbosch Hills 2007* R46
Uitvlucht Shiraz 2007 R47
(Montagu Wine and Spirit Company)
Waverley Hills 2007 R48
Garden Route 2007* (De Krans) R49
Jason's Hill 2007 R49
Brampton 2008* R52.95
(Rustenberg) ARP
Rooiberg Reserve 2008 R57
Ondine 2008 (Ormonde) R59
Zonnebloem 2008 (Bergkelder) R59
Naughton's Flight 2006 R60
Eaglevlei 2007 R65
KWV Reserve 2007 R65
Zonnebloem Shiraz R66
Mouvèdre Viognier 2006 (Bergkelder)
Boschendal 1685 2007 R68
Onyx 2007 (Darling Cellars) R79
Lord's 2008 R80
Groenland Premium 2007 R85
Manley 2007 R85
Nash Family Vineyards R85
Rhinoceros Hill 2008* (Black Pearl)
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection 2008 R90
Longridge 2007 R90
Kloovenburg 2007 R97
Koelfontein 2006 R100
La Bri Shiraz Viognier 2007 R100
Nederburg Manor House 2008 R100
Hercules Paragon 2005 R110
(Simonsvlei)
Spier Creative Block 3 2007 ARP R110
The Auction Crossing Syrah R110
Viognier 2008 (Hex River Crossing)
Cape to Cairo 2007 ARP R116.67
La Motte 2008 R117
Saxenburg Private Collection 2007 R119
Bizoe Estalet 2008 R120
Joubert-Tradauw 2006 R120
Lammershoek 2008 R120
Muratie 2007 R125
Glenwood 2008 R130
Boschendal Reserve Collection 2006 R135
Hermanuspietersfontein R139
Die Martha 2006
Rustenberg Stellenbosch 2008 R145
Mulderbosch 2006 R146
Kevin Arnold Nadine 2007 R155
Meerendal Bin 159 2005 R185
Vergelegen 2008 R190
Warwick Black Lady 2006 R190
Graham Beck e Ridge 2006 R195
KWV The Mentor's 2007 R195
Simonsig Merindol 2007 R210
Delheim Vera Cruz 2006 R225
Stark-Condé ree Pines R225
Jonkershoek Valley 2007
Lomond Conebush 2007 ARP R230
Emineo Liber III RG 2007 ARP R245.83
Zandvliet Kalkveld R269
Hill of Enon "Small Berry Pick" 2004
★ ★ TWO STARS
Libby's Pride Wines 2009 R28.50
Wamakersvallei R31.50
Bain's Way 2008*
Lutzville Cape Diamond R31.99
Cool Climate 2009*
Douglas Green 2008 ARP R39.99
Perdeberg Reserve 2008 R47.50
Bovlei Centenary Collection 2006 R50.50
Villiera 2008 R56.40
Landskroon Paul De Villiers 2008 R62
Lady Anne Barnard 2007 R64.99
(African Pride) ARP
Riebeek Cellars Reserve 2007 R65
Neethlingshof 2004 ARP R69
Nick and Forti's 2006 (Saronsberg) R70
Bellpost 2007 R77
Bushmanspad Red Gold 2007 R78
KWV Cathedral Cellar 2008 R86
Groote Post 2008 R87
Eventide R88
" The Dancer" 2007* (Mischa)
Allesverloren 2008 ARP R90
Welbedacht 2006 R90
Joostenberg 2007 R95
Simonsvlei Woolworths R98
Hercules Paragon 2006 ARP
Hoopenburg Integer 2006 R110
Onderkloof 2007 R110
Julien Schaal R120
"Mountain Vineyards" 2008
Rijk's Private Cellar 2004 R120
Teddy Hall Reserve 2008 R120
Cederberg 2007 R130
Iona 2007 R135
Grande Provence 2007* R140
Quoin Rock Simonsberg 2008 R145
Laborie Jean Taillefert 2006 R151
Vergelegen 2006 ARP R190
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2008 R195
Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection 2006* R200
Perdeberg Rex Equus 2007 R240
Rijk's Estate 2007 R250
★ ONE STAR
A Few Good Men 2008 (Riebeek) R55
De Meye 2007 R70
Spencer Bay Winemaker's Reserve 2007 R75
(Namaqua Wines)
Eventide 2006 (Mischa) R78
De Grendel 2007 R85
Topiary 2007 R95
Boplaas Family Reserve 2007 R100
Bilton 2006 R110
Glen Carlou 2006 R120
Beau Joubert 2008 R125
Rietvallei Special Select 2006 R125
ALSO TASTED
Bovlei Centenary Collection 2007 R50.50
Kaapzicht 2006 R85
J H Pacas 2004 R90
J H Pacas 2005 R90
