On Tuesday Winemag.co.za awarded 25 Cape Bordeaux Red Blends top scores of 90 and higher, out of 100, the third year that Editor and chairman of the judging committee Christian Eedes has compiled a Report on this wine category. I was unable to attend the function, as I was attending another wine event at the same time, but received the media release, with the results. 

Bordeaux in southwest France is known for its red blends, known to offer a long maturation time in the bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the two best known grape varieties in the Bordeaux blends, but Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot are varieties that are used in Bordeaux blends too. 

The award ceremony was held at the Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant in Granger Bay, Mouille Point. A total of 60 entries was received from 45 producers. The judging team consisted of Christian Eedes, and Roland Peens and James Pietersen of Wine Cellar, a consistent reliable judging team.  Winemag.co.za partners Christian Eedes and Jax Lahoud announced the winners and handed out the award certificates for all wines scoring 90 or more points out of 100, as follows: 

94
Thelema Rabelais 2013
Price: R475

93
Morgenster 2011
Price: R389
MR de Compostella 2014
Price: R1 050
Tokara Director’s Reserve Red 2013
Price: R390

92
Holden Manz Big G 2013
Price: R495
Rustenberg John X Merriman 2015
Price: R175
Simonsig Tiara 2011
Price: R320

91
Allée Bleue Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2014
Price: R130
Beyerskloof Field Blend 2013
Price: R250
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2014
Price: R367
Laibach The Ladybird 2015
Price: R100
Longridge Ekliptika 2014
Price: R480
Morgenster 2012
Price: R389
Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2014
Price: R150
Muratie Ansela van de Caab 2013
Price: R325
Rustenberg John X Merriman 2014
Price: R175
Spier Creative Block 5 2014
Price: R149
Zorgvliet Richelle 2015
Price: R270

90
Allée Bleue L’Amour Toujours 2013
Price: R200
Creation Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot 2015
Price: R190
Knorhoek Pantère 2014
Price: R190
La Vierge Nymphomane 2015
Price: R137
Villiera Monro Red 2013
Price: R170
Vriesenhof Kallista 2011
Price: R285
Vondeling Philosophie 2015
Price: R695

As the producer of the Cape Bordeaux Red wine judged best overall,  Thelema won a new 300-litre Selection barrel worth €860 (equivalent to R12 355 at the current exchange rate) from Tonnellerie Sylvain.

Cape Bordeaux Red Blend Report 2017. www.winemag.co.za Twitter: @ChristianEedes @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