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How did SA do in the Global Fine Wine Challenge 2023?

By Christian Eedes, 6 February 2024

The premise behind the Global Fine Wine Challenge is an interesting one, in that it seeks to pit the major wine producing regions of the world bar those of Europe against each other.

Last year Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA took part (Argentina and Chile have also participated in previous years).

There are selectors from each participating country and each judge is set the task of picking 120 wines across a potential 22 classes. A trophy is awarded for the top scoring wine in each class and the break-down by country was as follows:

6 – Australia

5 – New Zealand

5 – South Africa

2 – Canada

1 – USA

In addition, South Africa won four runner-up double gold medals. As GFWC’s media partner, the organisers sent us a pack of all the trophy winners, SA’s runner-up double gold medals and international runner-up double gold medal winners where SA was the trophy winner. Some insights:

Average score for the 27 wines as assessed by me is 93, which suggests both a high standard of wines entered as well as competent judging
It is pleasing to see South African Chenin Blanc take both the trophy and runner-up DG in the non-aromatic whites class – proof once again that such wines really are superlative in any context
SA also does well when it comes to Bordeaux blends and the individual Bordeaux varieties – I found some of these a little too plush but this style often gets disproportionately rewarded in competition
Not surprisingly, New Zealand dominates most of the white wine classes – while these wines are generally very pleasing, how much complexity can you ultimately expect from single-variety Gewürztraminer or Pinot Gris?
One wine I find a bit disappointing was Giant Steps Fatal Shore Pinot Noir 2022 which won best red wine of show in addition to class trophy. I find it rather straightforward but clearly the official judges greatly admired it – so difficult to find consensus as to what constitutes an excellent example of this variety
The average price of the nine South African wines to feature is R552 a bottle while that for the 18 international wines is R970 (prices in their respective domestic markets converted to rands using the current exchange rate) – local wine consumers still have it pretty good

Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Trophy: White Blend

Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2020 – South Africa
Price: R330
72% Sauvignon Blanc, 28% Semillon. Matured for nine months in 400-litre barrels, 25% new. Hints of floral perfume and fynbos before citrus and peach and a little reduction on the nose while the palate has very good structure, being broad and flavourful but equally possessing a very good line of acidity. A polished, seamless wine. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Runner-Up Double Gold

The Lane Vineyard Gathering Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2022 – Australia
Price: A$45 (R555)
Lime, grapefruit, blackcurrant and a hint of vanilla on the nose. Great clarity of fruit matched by punchy acidity, the finish long and pithy. A precise wine with a compelling tension about it. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Trophy: Non-aromatic Whites

Stellenrust 58 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2022 – South Africa
Price: R250
The nose shows a top note of honeysuckle before citrus and peach with some struck-match reduction and leesy character in the background. The palate is substantial – good texture and weight offset by zippy acidity. Impressive fruit purity, the finish slightly bitter in the best way. Very well balanced. Alc: 13.86%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Runner-Up Double Gold

Bellingham Bernard Series Old Vine Limited Release Chenin Blanc 2022 – South Africa
Price: R235
Floral perfume before peach, melon and pineapple plus vanilla and a hint of spice on the nose. Rich and broad – dense fruit and tangy acidity before a gently savoury finish. Already quite open, this has layers of flavour. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Trophy: Cabernet Franc

Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc 2020 – South Africa
Price: R190
92% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot. Dark berries, oystershell, earth and a pronounced herbal note on the nose while the palate has dense fruit, fresh acidity and firm tannins. A big wine, alcohol is 14.7%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Runner-Up Double Gold

Thirty Bench Wild Cask Cabernet Franc 2020 – Canada
Price: C$55 (R775)
Dark berries, rose, some leafiness and a hint of oak spice on the nose while the palate has great purity, bright acidity and fine tannins. Beautifully balanced and super elegant. Alc: 13.3%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Trophy: Medium-bodied Other Reds

Donkiesbaai Grenache 2021 – South Africa
Price: R340
25% whole-bunch fermentation. Red cherry, fynbos and white pepper on the nose while the palate is medium-bodied with lemon-like acidity and chalky tannins. Focused, pure and primary. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Runner-Up Double Gold

The Lane Vineyard Provenance Tempranillo 2022 – Australia
Price: A$45 (R555)
Some flinty reduction before black berries, herbs and spice on the nose. Dense fruit, fresh acidity and nicely grippy tannins. Succulent and sleek, great length on the finish. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Trophy: Bordeaux Blends

Bacco Red Blend 2020 – South Africa
Price: R360
61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Malbec and 7% Merlot. Red and black berries plus some chocolate on the nose. Rich and ripe on the palate – luscious fruit and smooth textured, broad and immediately accessible. Alc: 14.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Runner-Up Double Gold

Delaire Graff The Banghoek 2018 – South Africa
Price: R2 200
53% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Red and black berries, rose, dried herbs, tobacco and earth on the nose. Good fruit definition, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Well balanced and elegant. Alc: 14.85%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Runner-Up Double Gold

L’Ecole No 41 Perigee Seven Hills Vineyard 2020 – USA
Price: $60 (R1 145)
54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. Red and black berries, potpourri and oak spice on the nose. Fruit to the fore on the palate – good depth, bright acidity and soft, velvety tannins. Plush and accessible but thankfully not sweet. Alc: 14.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Trophy: Shiraz/Syrah

St Hugo Barossa Shiraz 2020 – Australia
Price: A$45 (R555)
Black berries, lavender, liquorice and pepper on the nose. The palate is luscious and smooth textured – a polished wine with lots of ripe fruit, a nice line of acidity and sleek tannins. Not without freshness, the finish dry. Alc: 14.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Runner-Up Double Gold

Cederberg Shiraz 2020 – South Africa
Price: R270
Matured for 15 months in 225-litre barrels, 45% new. Red and black berries, fynbos and pepper on the nose. Medium bodied with bright acidity and lightly grippy tannins. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Trophy: Cabernet Sauvignon

Domaine Naturaliste Morus Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 – Australia
Price: A$56.95 (R705)
Raspberry, mulberry, cassis plus tea leaf, rose, cocoa and oak spice on the nose while the palate has good fruit expression, moderate acidity and velvety tannins. Elegant, harmonious and age-worthy. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Runner-Up Double Gold

Erika Obermeyer Wines Erika O Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Price: R795
Aromas of cassis, crushed herbs, violets, earth and pencil shavings. Great depth of fruit, fresh acidity and firm but fine tannins, the finish long and dry. Alc: 14.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Trophy: Sparkling Wine and Wine of Show

Pirie Late Disgorged Sparkling 2011 – Australia
Price: A$145 (R1 795)
52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir. Complex aromatics of citrus, peach, baked apple, raspberry, oystershell and biscuit. The palate is rich but equally not short of freshness – great depth of flavour, driving acidity and creamy mousse. Super-detailed, the finish long and saline. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Trophy: Riesling

Tohu Wines Single Vineyard Whenua Awa Riesling 2019 – New Zealand
Price: NZ$25.99 (R300)
Flinty reduction before lime, green apple, peach and floral perfume on the nose. A dense core of fruit matched by crisp acidity – wonderfully clean and focussed with a dry finish. Still remarkably youthful. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Trophy: Aromatic Whites

Lawson’s Dry Hills The Pioneer Gewürztraminer 2022 – New Zealand
Price: NZ$40 (R460)
Exotic aromatics of lychee, peach, mango, rose, spice and honey with some flinty reduction in the background. Full and round on the palate – very rich and sweet on entry, although there is also a nice line of acidity and the finish is gently savoury. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Trophy: Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio

Te Whare Ra Wines Single Vineyard 5182 Pinot Gris 2022 – New Zealand
Price: NZ$32 (R370)
Peach, yellow apple, potpourri and spice on the nose. The palate is fleshy with a slight sweetness offset by bright acidity. Smooth textured in the best sense. Alc: 13.2%

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Trophy: Sauvignon Blanc

Greywacke Wild Sauvignon 2021 – New Zealand
Price: NZ$38 (R440)
The nose shows nectarine, peach, yellow apple, a touch of fennel and a hint of vanilla before a big, rich palate – lots of flavour intensity, creamy in texture, the acidity well integrated. A powerful wine, alcohol is 14%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Trophy: Chardonnay and White Wine of Show

Lake Chalice Plume Chardonnay 2020 – New Zealand
Price: NZ$51.67 (R595)
Pronounced struck-match reduction to go with citrus and a touch of nuttiness on the nose while the palate has great fruit expression, well integrated acidity and a dry finish. Excellent focus and poise. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Trophy: Rosé

Collector Wines Shoreline Rosé Sangiovese 2022 – Australia
Price: A$26 (R320)
Subtle aromatics of floral perfume, raspberry, strawberry, orange and spice. The palate shows good weight and texture matched by tangy acidity. Flavourful and balanced. Alc: 12.2%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Trophy: Pinot Noir and Red Wine of Show

Giant Steps Fatal Shore Pinot Noir 2022 – Australia
Price: A$90 (R1 115)
Cranberry, raspberry and floral perfume on the nose. The palate is voluptuous with lots of clean, ripe fruit, seemingly moderate acidity and soft tannins, the finish gently savoury. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Trophy: Merlot | Carménère

DAMA Wines Merlot 2018 – USA
Price: $42 (R800)
Cherry, raspberry and plum plus dried herbs, earth and spice on the nose. Medium bodied with fresh acidity and powdery tannins, the finish nicely dry. A wine with plenty of elegance about it. Alc: 14.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Trophy: Full-bodied Other Reds

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Malbec 2020 – Canada
Price: C$40 (R560)
Expressive aromatics of black berries, violets, herbs, pepper and spice. The palate is opulent and seductive. Good fruit purity, bright acidity and firm tannins, the finish nicely dry. Big and bold without forfeiting balance. Alc: 14.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Trophy: Red Blends

Yalumba The Caley Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2018 – Australia
Price: A$370 (R4 580)
80% Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Barossa Shiraz. Complex aromatics of black berries, dried flowers, some leafiness, hints of pepper and other spice plus smoky reduction. The palate is rich and dense with layers of flavour, well integrated acidity and silky tannins. A polished, very classy wine that reveals more and more with time in glass. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Trophy: Dessert Wines

Pillitteri Estates Family Reserve Vidal Icewine 2016 – Canada
C$65 (R915) per 375ml bottle
Peach, apricot, litchee, melon and maybe some pineapple on the nose. Rich but balanced – big-volume and thick-textured, bright acidity lending verve. Entirely decadent drinking. Alc: 11%.

How did SA do in the Global Fine Wine Challenge 2023?