The ABSA Top 10 Pinotage Awards has once again received strong entries from wine regions all over South Africa, with Stellenbosch producers securing the lion’s share of spots in the finals.
“Our relationship has spanned over 20 years and it has been a privilege to be part of the development and growth of this uniquely South African varietal. Our continued partnership is vital to support South Africa’s position on the global wine map,” – Tina Playne, Managing Executive of Sectors and Segments at Absa Retail and Business Bank
Leading the charge
Pinotage Association chair Beyers Truter is delighted with the quality of the wines and that they come from all over the Cape winelands: eight of the current/recent releases are from Stellenbosch, two each from Durbanville, the Swartland and Tulbagh, with Paarl, Robertson, Walker Bay, Wellington and Worcester also represented. Eight of the Top 10 finalists are from the 2018 vintage, but there are also wines from 2019 (two) and older vintages including 2017 (five), 2016 (three), 2015 and 2014.
On the panel of experts entrusted with the judging were the following: Cape Wine Master and panel convenor Winnie Bowman, Tsogo Sun sommelier Georgio Meletiou, Spier cellarmaster Frans Smit, wine writer Fiona McDonald and viticulturist Solly Monyanane, a protégé judge in 2019.
Regular Absa Top 10 laureates Rijk’s Wine Estate in Tulbagh and Beyerskloof of Stellenbosch fared particularly well this year with more than one finalist each.
Whereas in the growing Museum Class for wines at least 10 years old – testimony to the good ageing potential of top Pinotage – the finalists are from the Breedekloof, Stellenbosch and Tulbagh, with the oldest wine among them having been made from grapes harvested in 2007.
Below are the names of all the finalists, where they originate from and who the winemakers are. The winners will be announced at the end of September.
2020 ABSA Top 10 Pinotage finalists – Stellenbosch
Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2016 & 2017
WO Stellenbosch, Anri Truter
Beyerskloof Pinotage Reserve 2017
WO Stellenbosch, Anri Truter
Delheim Vera Cruz Pinotage 2016
WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Roelof Lotriet
Kaapzicht Pinotage 2018
WO Stellenbosch, Danie Steytler
Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2018
WO Stellenbosch, Michael Malan
Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2017
WO Stellenbosch, Johan Jordaan
