Yesterday WineMag presented the Signature Red Blend Report 2017, the second year that it has been compiled by WineMag editor Christian Eedes, at Stuzzico at Villa 47 on Bree Street. 

WineMag Business Manager Jacqueline Lahoud welcomed all winemakers, media, and retailers present. She said that the Report reflects ‘the South African wines with a sense of adventure‘. She also asked all present to raise a glass to the glorious rain, sorely needed in the Western Cape. 

She said that 82 entries had been received from 62 producers for the category, defined as non-Bordeaux style wines, tending more to Rhône-style with a Shiraz and/or Pinotage base. Jax also asked us to raise our glasses to the women in the room, including female winemakers, it being the start of Women’s Month. 

The wines were evaluated by the judges Christian, and Roland Peens and James Pietersen of Wine Cellar, and were tasted blind. Guest participant Karlien Nel, winemaker at Rupert & Rothschild, joined the panel. She fed back that the wines she tasted were perfumed, with abundant fruit, with moderate acidity, and fine tannins. James said that it is an important category, shaping the industry, and the South Africanness of it is work in progress. 

Christian said the South African red wine blends should be promoted. The Bordeaux Blend is well-established as a benchmark already, and is our industry reference point too. More Proudly South African is Signature Red Blends. Christian fed back that sweetness was picked up in some of the blends, wondering if this was deliberate to meet the needs of the target market, or if the grapes were picked high in sugar. He also spoke of winemaking flaws which he and his panel of judges picked up, referring to ‘residual clumsiness‘ and ‘premature oxidisation‘, which should not be happening in 2017. He added that Red Blends lag white blends, due to a lack of precision in the Red Blend category. He asked if the typical Rhône-style whole bunch approach is the only way for South African Red Blends to be made.  He requested greater imagination by winemakers. 

Twenty wines were rated 90 or more points on the quality score, as follows: 

92 points
Joostenberg Bakermat 2015
Price: R186

Newton Johnson Granum 2015
Price: R273

Olifantsberg Silhouette 2013
Price: R195

Vrede en Lust Artisan Range Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Price: R139

91 points
Creation Syrah Grenache 2015 (winemaker JC Martin)
Price: R190

DeMorgenzon Maestro Blue 2015
Price: R200

Eikendal Charisma 2015
Price: R104

Guardian Peak Summit 2014
Price: R160

Luddite Saboteur Red 2015 
Price: R250

Opstal Carl Everson Cape Blend 2015
Price: R175

Rust en Vrede 1694 2014
Price: R1 300

Vondeling Erica 2014
Price: R195

90 points
Fairview Extraño 2013 (winemaker Stephanie Wiid)
Price: R100

Haskell II 2013
Price: R180

Haut Espoir Gentle Giant 2012
Price: R90

Le Riche Richesse 2015
Price: R140

Orange River Cellars Lyra Vega 2015
Price: R95

Spier Creative Block 8 2014
Price: R159

Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Shiraz Merlot Viognier 2014
Price: R149

Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2013
Price: R160

Stuzzico Chef Vittorio Bianchi prepared very generous and tasty canapés, including a Caprese salad, arancini balls with a Gorgonzola and Sage dip, arancini balls with a tomato dip, bruschetta with melted Fontina cheese, bruschetta with chicken liver pâté, Four Cheese Tortellini (with Parmesan, ricotta, mozzarella, and Gorgonzola), and sirloin with mash and a Villa 47 sauce. 

Signature Red Blend Report 2017, WineMag. www.winemag.co.za Twitter: @ChristianEedes @Winemag @jaxlahoud Instagram: @christian.eedes @jaxlahoud

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein