Prescient Shiraz Report 2023: Top 10
By Christian Eedes, 16 May 2023
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Introduction
This year’s Shiraz Report convened by Winemag.co.za and sponsored by multinational financial services company Prescient is now out. There were 80 entries from 58 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:
96
Wildeberg Red 2022
Price: R403
Wine of Origin: Franschhoek
Abv: 13.44%
95
De Grendel Op Die Berg Syrah 2021
Price: R310
Wine of Origin: Ceres Plateau
Abv: 13.4%
95
Mellish Family Vineyards Bakenkop Syrah 2020
Price: R220
Wine of Origin: Durbanville
Abv: 13.2%
95
Strandveld Syrah 2020
Price: R240
Wine of Origin: Elim
Abv: 13.37%
94
De Grendel Elim 2020
Price: R975
Wine of Origin: Elim
Abv: 13.1%
94
Diemersdal Syrah 2022
Price: R190
Wine of Origin: Cape Town
Abv: 13.5%
94
Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The High Noon 2021
Price: R150
Wine of Origin: Durbanville, Cape Town
Abv: 14.11%
94
Kleine Zalze Project Z Syrah 2021
Price: R590
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 13.5%
94
Zevenwacht Z Collection Syrah 2022
Price: R315
Wine of Origin: Polkadraai Hills
Abv: 13.6%
93
Kasteelberg Syrah 2021 (Riebeek Valley Wine Co)
Price: R240
Wine of Origin: Swartland
Abv: 14.5%
About the category
When it comes to Shiraz, two broad styles can be discerned, the first the overtly aromatic, medium-bodied but densely structured wines typical of France’s Rhône, and the second being the darkly coloured, full-fruited wines most famously associated with South Australia’s Barossa Valley.
Shiraz and Syrah are simply two names for the same grape variety, the former supposedly denoting wines of power and the latter wines of restraint but in reality it is not possible to make such a clear-cut distinction.
Shiraz is an important variety in South Africa, occupying 10% of the national vineyard at the end of 2022(second only to Cabernet Sauvignon among reds) and it is to the country’s credit that it seems capable of making accomplished examples across the stylistic spectrum.
What does top Shiraz go for?
Average price of the 37 wines to rate 90-plus is R268 a bottle and of the Top 10 is R316.
Best Buy
Offering the best quality relative to price is Du Toitskloof with a rating of 91 and selling for R85 a bottle.
Offering the best quality relative to price is Du Toitskloof 2020 with a rating of 91 and selling for R82 a bottle
Red and black berries, fresh herbs and spice on the nose. The palate is clean and fresh with fine tannins.
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 Shiraz Report 2023
Shop online
Johannesburg boutique wine retailer Dry Dock Liquor is offering all of the wines in the Top 10 for sale and can deliver nationwide – buy now.
Attend a tasting – buy tickets here.
Hermanus wine shop Wine Village is offering all of the wines in the Top 10 for sale and can ship all over the world – buy now.
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