Prescient Top 20 Wines South Africa 2020 – Best Reds announced

INTRODUCTION

The best red wines based on the Prescient Reports as convened by Winemag.co.za earlier this year were announced at Vergelegen on 8 December.

Winemag.co.za reviewed a total of 927 wines across 20 categories in its various reports sponsored by multinational financial services company Prescient over the course of the year. Each report was based on the outcome of a blind tasting of wines entered within the specific category.
A Top 10 was then announced with the release of each successive repor t. Now the individual best wine per category plus ratings on the 100-point quality scale for all theTop 10 wines can be revealed.

JUDGING PROCEDURES

The judging panel was chaired by Christian Eades and further consisted of two trusted colleagues, namely Roland Peens and James Pietersen, both of Wine Cellar, Cape Town merchants and cellarers of fine wine. They tasted blind, ratings done according to the 100-point system. Final scores were awarded on the basis of discussion that involved retasting where necessary rather than relying solely on arithmetic averaging.

The Red Wine Category Winners;

Congratulations to Rust en Vrede Wine Estate on achieving a place in the Prescient Top 20 Wines SA 2020 and best of at category Signature Red Blend!

Rust en Vrede Estate 2017. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah and 10% Merlot. Matured for 22 months in French oak, 40% new. ”Beguiling aromatics of red and black berries, some leafiness, violets, earth, vanilla and spice while the palate displays dense fruit, fresh acidity and firm but fine tannins – succulent on entry before a finish that is long and dry. Great richness without sacrificing balance.” CE

All the scores are revealed! Congratulations to all the #top10 achievers!

Congratulations to Leeuwenkuil on achieving a place in the Prescient Top 20 Wines SA 2020 and Best of Category Shiraz!

Leeuwenkuil Heritage Syrah 2017. ”Matured for 12 months in old oak. A heady nose of dark fruit, musk, lilies, fynbos and pepper while the palate is full bodied and intensely flavoured – dense fruit, bright acidity and chewy tannins. Complex and powerful.” CE

All the scores are revealed! Congratulations to all the #top10 achievers!

Congratulations to Flying Cloud on achieving a place in the Prescient Top 20 Wines SA 2020 and Best of Category Pinot Noir!

Flying Cloud Sovereign of the Seas 2018 ”20% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 20 months in two 300-litre barrels, one new and one third-fill.A pronounce and very attractive note of rose-like perfume as well as red berries, white pepper and other spice.The palate has succulent fruit, bright acidity and powdery tannins. Particularly pure and poised.

All the scores are revealed! Congratulations to all the #top10 achievers!

Congratulations to Raats Family Wine Estate on achieving a place in the Prescient Top 20 Wines SA 2020 and Best of Category Pinotage!

B Vintners Liberté 2018. ”20% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 18 months in older French oak. An enticing nose with notes of red currant, cherry, pomegranate and musk.The palate is light-bodied and energetic – pure fruit, fresh acidity and crunchy tannins.This is precisely made, being wonderfully clean and linear.” CE

All the scores are revealed! Congratulations to all the #top10 achievers!

Congratulations to Raats Family Wine Estate on achieving a place in the Prescient Top 20 Wines SA 2020 and Best of Category Niche Red Variety!

Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2017. ”Matured for 18 months in French oak, 25% new. A pretty nose with notes of red and black berries, some floral perfume, a subtle herbal note and some oak spice.The palate is wonderfully poised with dense fruit counterbalanced by fresh acidity and firm but fine tannins. Just so elegant.

All the scores are revealed! Congratulations to all the #top10 achievers!

Congratulations to Vergelegen Wines on achieving a place in the Prescient Top 20 Wines SA 2020 and Best of Category Merlot!

Vergelegen Reserve 2015. ”Matured for 16 months in French oak, 50% new. Red and black berries, fresh herbs and earth on the nose while the palate has great fruit weight, an invigorating line of acidity and fine tannins. Elegant and detailed.”

All the scores are revealed! Congratulations to all the #top10 achievers!

Congratulations to Zorgvliet Wines on achieving a place in the Prescient Top 20 Wines SA 2020 and Best of Category Cape Bordeaux Red Blend!

Zorgvliet Richelle 2017. 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot and 14% Petit Verdot. Matured for 22 months in French oak, 60% new. Aromatics of red and black berries, some leafiness, tilled earth and pencil shavings. Extraordinary fruit purity, bright acidity and fine tannins make for a wonderfully focused, well-structured wine.

Winner of a new 225-litre Biodynamie barrel from Tonnellerie Sylvain.

All the scores are revealed! Congratulations to all the #top10 achievers!

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Bubbles Hyland

Bubbles Hyland

Bubbles Hyland, Well Red Wine Magazine Editor and Founder. Wine is her passion and it's also her job; it engrain every aspect of her life. She aims to make wine accessible, and spread the love and knowledge she has in a fun and approachable manner.

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