Cape White Blend Report 2018
By Christian Eedes, 4 December 2018
10
winemag.co.za is pleased to present the third annual Cape White Blend Report – in order to be eligible, wines had to contain a significant Chenin Blanc component, specifically more than 15% and less than 85%.
38 entries from 32 producers were received and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by the three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale.
Wines to rate 90 points or higher on the 100-point quality scale were as follows:
94
Boplaas Gamka Branca Reserve 2017
Org de Rac Die Waghuis 2017
The Fledge & Co. Vagabond 2017
Van Wyk Family Wines Olivia Grace 2017
92
Lammershoek The Mysteries White Blend 2017
Painted Wolf Pictus VI 2017
91
Beaumont New Baby 2017
Cavalli Cremello 2016
Darling Lime Kilns 2017
Malanot Flower Pot White Blend 2014
Muratie Laurens Campher 2017
Springfontein Limestone Rocks Darkside of the Moon 2016
90
B Vintners Haarlem to Hope 2017
Chapoutier Belleruche Blanc 2016
Fairview Nurok 2017
Painted Wolf Pictus V 2016
Perdeberg The Dry Land Collection Rossouw’s Heritage 2017
Zevenwacht The Tin Mine 2017
To read the report in full, download the following: Cape White Blend Report 2018
Cathy Marston | 4 December 2018
Having just returned from a fairly lengthy visit to Australia, I am struck by the different attitudes towards competitions over there. There are over 80 different shows and competitions and for many, entering comprises their entire marketing budget. I spoke to several wineries who do shows big time but plenty of others who didn’t – except for their own, local show and the reason they entered that, was to show support for their industry colleagues. There are often – and probably fairly- chunterings about local journos not supporting the industry, never shelling out for wines, expecting freebies – but I do think it’s a shame that this report – which surely must be unique in the world of wine – doesn’t get support from some of the bigger names in the industry. I get that you may think a poor score reflects poorly on you but it’s only a competition (no offence Christian), not a matter of life and death. The more relaxed attitude of co-operation, support and honest striving towards continuous improvement as shown by the Aussies is probably one from which we could all learn.
Udo | 5 December 2018
What about the score inflation in Australia? I heard that you need to score above 100/100 to stand out in a competition? 😉
Michael | 4 December 2018
this cotes du rhone wine is no reverenz at all for this cape blend tasting. it is a serious wine for ten euros. a northern rhone wine would make much more sense. cheers!
Christian Eedes | 5 December 2018
Hi Michael, The Belleruche Blanc is a blend of Grenache blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette and Bourboulenc – as I’m sure you are aware, Rhone varieties often feature in Cape White Blends. It’s inclusion in the line-up was simply to facilitate the conversation about where the emerging category that is Cape White Blends might be heading.
Stewart Prentice | 4 December 2018
Not to be nasty, but Tin Mine must have improved greatly since I last had it (and was actively avoiding). I’ll look out for the 2017 and give it a go.
Christian Eedes | 4 December 2018
Hi Stewart, Don’t know when you last drank it but I’ve always thought it has offered pretty good quality relative to price – tasted it for Platter’s eight or so vintages ago.
Stewart Prentice | 5 December 2018
Hi Christian, a long time ago if memory can be relied on. But the impression was enough to keep me away from it. I’ll be delighted if I’m wrong and will consider it a lesson in not being swayed by one off impressions.
Kwispedoor | 4 December 2018
Only 88 points for The Fledge & Co. Vagabond 2015? Must have been a dud bottle…
Christian Eedes | 4 December 2018
Panel felt it was looking rather too developed…
Kwispedoor | 4 December 2018
For a 2015? Yes, then perhaps some premox or storage/transport issues.