2024 FNB Sauvignon Blanc South Africa Top 10
08:01:00Judges impressed by strong showings across vintages
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The 2024 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 competition judging
panel included leading wine experts. Front from left is Pia Carstens from Ever
South Africa; Anke van Zyl, an intern at Neil Ellis Wines; the panel convenor
and Cape Wine Master Dr. Winifred Bowman; Dr. Carien Coetzee, oenologist of
Basic Wine; and Morgan Steyn, winemaker of De Grendel Wines. Back from left are
Johann Fourie, head winemaker of Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate; Mahalia
Kotjane, owner-winemaker of Three Quarter Wines; Arno Cloete from FNB
Agriculture and Kelsey Nel, assistant winemaker at Hartenberg Wine Estate.
Photo: Natalie Gabriels Photography. |
This year’s competition drew strong entries across several vintages. Over three days, from 27 to 29 August, a panel of esteemed judges evaluated the entries at Uitkyk Estate in Stellenbosch, led by Cape Wine Master Dr. Winifred Bowman.
Joining Dr. Bowman on the panel were prominent wine experts Johann Fourie, head winemaker at Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate; Dr. Carien Coetzee, oenologist at Basic Wine; Morgan Steyn, winemaker at De Grendel Wines; and Mahalia Kotjane, owner-winemaker of Three Quarter Wines. Two protégé judges, Kelsey Nel, assistant winemaker at Hartenberg Wine Estate, and Anke van Zyl, an intern at Neil Ellis Wines, also joined.
Both wooded and unwooded styles show class, balance, and texture
The panel particularly praised the 2023 vintage for its pure varietal expression.
Bowman noted the effective use of lees aging in unwooded entries, enhancing complexity and texture, while in wooded examples, oak added depth without overpowering the fruit flavours. The panel also highlighted the balance and vibrancy across the entire style spectrum of the 2024 vintage.
"The best wines exhibited class, balance, and texture," Bowman said, adding that many excellent wines missed the final cut only by small margins.
Bowman praised Sauvignon Blanc SA for their continued efforts in keeping the variety in the spotlight, acknowledging its status as the country’s best-selling cultivar.
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The panel convenor and Cape Wine Master Dr. Winifred Bowman.
Photo: Natalie Gabriels Photography. |
Coetzee, a member of the Sauvignon Blanc SA managing committee, expressed gratitude for the support of the long-term partners of the competition, which has been hosted since 2007. "The collaboration with FNB as Top 10 title partner and EVER Solutions as platinum partner is crucial to our ongoing pursuit of excellence in Sauvignon Blanc," she said.
Important dates
The twenty finalists will be announced later this month, with the FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 revealed at the awards event on Wednesday 16 October. A technical seminar and the Sauvignon Blanc SA Annual General Meeting are scheduled for Thursday 21 November at Hazendal Wine Estate.
Issued by: YOLANDI DE WET PR on behalf of Sauvignon Blanc South Africa
Pictures: SUPPLIED
© 2024 Herman Lintvelt - WineTourismZA
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