Pictured from the left are Edmund Terblanche, chairperson of Shiraz SA, television host and event MC Marciel Hopkins and Johan Conradie from Vinventions SA.

Well-known and charming TV personality Marciel Hopkins acted as MC and announced the wines that came up trumps.

• Koelfontein Shiraz 2017
• Kunjani Shiraz 2015
• Benguela Cove Estate Syrah 2018
• Saronsberg Shiraz 2018
• Trizanne Reserve Syrah 2018
• Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2016
• Babylonstoren Shiraz 2018
• Lomond Estate Syrah 2018
• De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2018
• Old Road Wine Co Pepper Wind Syrah 2017
• Wildeberg Red (Boutinot)
• Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards Heritage Syrah

Runners-up in the category for Shiraz were: La Motte Pierneef Syrah Viognier 2017; Bloemendal Tierberg Syrah 2014; Rust en Vrede Estate Vineyards Syrah 2017; De Grendel Shiraz 2016; Alto Shiraz 2017; Rickety Bridge Shiraz 2017; Benguela Cove Lighthouse Syrah 2018 and Stellenview Cape Five Reserve Shiraz 2017.

The winning Shiraz blends are:

• Saronsberg Full Circle 2018
• Babylonstoren Babel 2018
• Strandveld The Navigator 2017

Lomond Belladonna SMV 2018; Idiom SMV 2015 and KWV Roodeberg Dr Charles Niehaus 2016 were the finalists pipped at the post in the blend category.

This year a new category for Shiraz Rosé was introduced and Stellenbosch Hills Polkadraai Rosé2020 was announced as the winning wine.

Zandvliet Shiraz Rosé 2020 joined Kleinood Katherien Rosé 2019 as runners-up in this category.

“Although the number of rosé wines entered was fairly low, we expect it to grow in the future as this is a style of wine that is fast gathering popularity the world over” said Chairman Edmund Terblanche.

Panel convenor and Cape Wine Master Dr Andy Roediger remarked that the wines entered in this category were all dry and elegant with little variance in their light blush colour. Wines displayed subtle red fruits with slight spicy undertones and full of vibrant character.

"The Shiraz blends were very well harmonized and did not allow other varieties to dominate in character as sometimes in the past. In general the wines were well structured with good wood management. Surprisingly the older vintages took centre stage, showing Shiraz blends can also age gracefully” according to Roediger.

Terblanche, also a member of the judging panel, said “The overall quality in the Shiraz category was extremely high and accommodated all the different styles such as pepper-dominated, fruit-driven or spicy. Here the younger vintages of 2017 to 2019 actually outclassed the much talked-about vintage of 2015.”

To that Roediger added “This category was by far the best that I have had in judging Shiraz over the past few years. It shows that South African Shiraz is on par with those of other countries in the world.”

Celebrating the 2020 Shiraz Challenge winners are Johan Conradie, managing director from Vinventions SA, Edmund Terblanche, chairperson of Shiraz SA, Andy Roediger, chairperson of the judges’ panel, and television host and event MC Marciel Hopkins.

The unique format for tasting that eliminates inter-session discussion of wines and requires each judge to follow his own specific tasting order, was once again utilised. 

“In order to adhere to the guidelines for Covid 19, the judging panel as well as the number of working personnel, had to be reduced and a number of measures put in place” explained Terblanche. “However, we were fortunate in that everything went smoothly and we managed to conclude the four-day judging without any hitches” he added.

This year the panel comprised a line-up of experienced tasters and assisting Dr Roediger were Shiraz SA chairperson and La Motte cellar master Edmund Terblanche; De Grendel cellar master Charles Hopkins; Anthony de Jager cellar master Fairview and owner/winemaker and Cape Wine Master from Eenzaamheid, Janno Briers-Louw.

The main sponsor for the 2020 Shiraz Challenge is Vinventions SA and the firm is proud to have been associated with this competition for eight years, according to Managing Director Johan Conradie. Other contributors were Nederburg, where judging traditionally takes place; supporting software provider and program developer Wine MS; and, the Exceed Group, which supervises judging and audits the results.

Shiraz SA, established in 2008, is currently the largest cultivar organisation with over 230 members. It represents producers of South African Shiraz and its aim is to create awareness of the superior and award-winning wines produced locally from this noble cultivar.