Prescient Cape Bordeaux Red Blend Report 2022: Top 10

Introduction

This year’s Cape Bordeaux Red Blend Report convened by Winemag.co.za and sponsored by multinational financial services company Prescient is now out. There were 55 entries from 42 producers and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale.

Top 10

The 10 best wines overall are as follows:

95

Peter Falke Kanoa 2017
Price: R365
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.5%

Winner of a new 225-litre Sélection barrel from Tonnellerie Sylvain.

Buy from Dry Dock

94

Benguela Cove Estate Collage 2019
Price: R295
Wine of Origin: Walker Bay
Abv: 14.1%

Buy from Dry Dock

94

Dornier Donatus 2018
Price: R365
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv:14.5%

Buy from Dry Dock

94

Glenelly Lady May 2017
Price: R695
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.96%

Buy from Dry Dock

93

Allée Bleue L’Amour Toujours 2017
Price: R280
Wine of Origin: Banghoek
Abv: 14.5%

93

Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2019
Price: R335
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.62%

Buy from Dry Dock

93

Delheim Grand Reserve 2018
Price: R450
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.5%

Buy from Dry Dock

93

La Bri Affinity 2020
Price: R190
Wine of Origin: Franschhoek
Abv: 13.9%

Buy from Dry Dock

93 – Best Buy

Ladybird Vineyards The Ladybird 2018 (previously Laibach)
Price: R130
Wine of Origin: Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.19%

93

Nederburg Heritage Heroes The Brew Master 2018
Price: R225
Wine of Origin: Western Cape
Abv: 14.61%

Buy from Dry Dock

About the category

The Bordeaux region in the southwest of France is famous for its red blends, the best of which can age with benefit over many years. The two grapes that feature most prominently are austere Cabernet Sauvignon and fleshy Merlot, although Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot also play a role. This style has been imitated around the world and South Africa is no exception.

What do top Cape Bordeaux Red Blends go for?

The average price of the 23 wines to rate 90-plus is R391 a bottle and of the Top 10 is R333. Offering the best quality relative to price is Ladybird Vineyards The Ladybird 2018 with a rating of 93 and selling for R130 a bottle.

In-depth analysis

To read the report in full, including key findings, tasting notes for the top wines, buyers guide and scores on the 100-point quality scale for all wines entered, download the following: Prescient Cape Bordeaux Red Blend Report 2022

Shop online

Johannesburg boutique wine retailer Dry Dock Liquor is offering some of the wines in the Top 10 for sale and can deliver nationwide – buy now.

Online retailer Wine-of-the-Month Club is offering a six-bottle mixed case selected from the Top 10 – buy now.

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