Absa Perold Cape Blend Competition 2015 results

No kidding around.

Results of the Absa Perold Cape Blend Competition 2015 were announced today. There were 42 entries in total and the top five wines are as follows:

Anura LB Cape Blend Cuvée 2014
Idiom Cape Blend 2014
KWV Abraham Perold Tributum 2013
Welbedacht Hat Trick 2007
Wellington La Cave Cape Blend 2013

I tasted the 11 finalists sighted before the announcement of the winners and here’s how I rated them:

91
Kaapzicht Steytler Vision 2012
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Pinotage, 10% Merlot. Matured for 28 months in French oak, 100% new. Cassis, cherries and plums as well as notable but attractive oak-derived notes – vanilla, milk chocolate and spice. Rich and full but balanced – good fruit concentration, fresh acidity and firm tannins. A bit stern now but should mature well.

Welbedacht Hat Trick 2007
50% Pinotage, 35% Syrah, 15% Merlot. Matured for 18 months in French oak, 35% new. Red fruit, spice, a little earthiness and some savoury developed character. Medium bodied and quite mellow – probably at its peak.

90
KWV Abraham Perold Tributum 2013
Pulpit Rock Louisa Reserve 2012

89
Idiom Cape Blend 2012
Romond Rebus Cape Cuvée 2011

88
Painted Wolf Peloton Rouge 2011

86
Cloof Inkspot Vin Noir 2012
Wellington La Cave Cape Blend 2013

85
Anura LB Cape Blend Cuvée 2014
Namaqua Cellar Door 2014

Winemaking intention seemed to differ radically from serious and ageworthy through to undemanding, everyday drinking. The Anura and Namaqua wines had bags of fruit but no great structure – if the concept of the Cape Blend is still relevant, is this what we want to put forward to the world?