Prescient Shiraz Report 2024: Top 10
By Christian Eedes, 21 May 2024
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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 65 entries 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
Leeuwenkuil Heritage Syrah 2019
Price: R460
Wine of Origin: Swartland
Abv: 13%
96 – Best Overall
Raar Carbonic Maceration 2023 (Riebeek Valley Wine Co)
Price: R179
Wine of Origin: Swartland
Abv: 14%
Winner of a set of Spiegelau glasses worth R4,000 from warewashing specialist Winterhalter.
96
Vinevenom Spektra 2021
Price: R280
Wine of Origin: Swartland
Abv: 14.29%
95
Cape Five Reserve 2021 (Stellenview)
Price: R155
Wine of Origin: Coastal Region
Abv: 13.91%
95
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Syrah 2021
Price: R210
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14%
95
Mellish Bakenkop Syrah 2021
Price: R245
Wine of Origin: Durbanville
Abv: 13.47%
95
Zoetendal The Signatura 2022
Price: R550
Wine of Origin: Elim
Abv: 12.6%
94
Diemersdal Syrah Reserve 2023
Price: R210
Wine of Origin: Durbanville
Abv: 13.36%
94
Zandvliet Hill of Enon Small Berry Pick 2021
Price: R488
Wine of Origin: Robertson
Abv: 13.88%
93
Nicolas van der Merwe Syrah 2019
Price: R500
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 13.4%
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 9.9% of the national vineyard at the end of 2023 (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 R279 a bottle and of the Top 10 is R328.
Best Buy
Offering the best quality relative to price is De Wet 2023 with a rating of 90 and selling for R73 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 Shiraz Report 2024
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