At the second annual RisCura Red Hot Wine Awards 2016, Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve Red 2013 was named the best-scoring Bordeaux-style red blend.

Held at Burrata yesterday afternoon, the award ceremony was attended by writers, winemakers, and sponsors. Jacqueline Lahoud welcomed all present, and announced that 59 entries from 46 producers had been received, and that the judges once again were Christian Eedes of WineMag, as well as Roland Peens and James Pietersen from Wine Cellar.

Christian spoke about the judging of the Bordeaux-style reds, being blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, seeing fewer entries compared to 2015, but better quality wines, with an improved average score of 87,2 out of 100. He added that the category carried a prestige image, and with that a prestige price, averaging R350 per bottle for the Top 13 wines. He felt that ‘producers are gunning to make the most luxurious wines possible‘. He added that some of the wines evaluated were too big and too sweet, something he suggested winemakers should watch. Green pepper, mint, and eucalyptus picked up were not good either, saying that fynbos is good.

A total of thirteen wines were scored 90 or more points, and were named RisCura Red Hot Champions:

94 out of 100: Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve Red 2013

93 out of 100:  Ernie Els Signature 2013, Mveme Raats MR de Compostella 2014

92 out of 100:  Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2014, Hartenberg The Mackenzie 2012, Spier Creative Block 5 2013, Vriesenhof Kallista 2010

91 out of 100:  Dombeya Fenix 2011, Eikendal Classique 2014, Uva Mira OTV 2014

90 out of 100:  Creation Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot 2014, Diemersdal Private Collection 2014, Rustenberg John X Merriman 2013.

Not only did Groot Constantia and its winemaker Boela Gerber achieve the prestige of producing the top Bordeaux-style red blend, but they also won a new 300-litre Selection range barrel from Tonnellerie Sylvain to the value of R14000.

New Burrata Chef Chris Wynn created quality canapés of seared tuna; artichoke and spinach purée on crostini; confit duck, grape chutney, and pickled beetroot; as well as chili, porcini, and thyme Arancini balls with aioli.

The Top 13 Bordeaux-style red blends will be available to taste at the Southern Sun Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town on 29 June.

WineMag, Cell 0836547721. www.winemag.co.za Twitter: @ChristianEedes @Winemag @JaxLahoud

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whalecottage.com/blog  Tel 082 55 11 323 Twitter: @WhaleCottage  Facebook:  click here Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein