.: ABSA Cape Blends at The Cullinan

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

ABSA Cape Blends at The Cullinan

ABSA Perold Cape Blend Competition

The winners of this competition were announced this week at the Cullinan Hotel and we were able to taste all the top blends. Some of the winners were expected, but there were some surprising new wines on the list as well. To quote: “The winning wines in this year's competition all differ in their blend make-up, highlighting Pinotage's ability to seamlessly integrate with and complement virtually any variety”.

The five winning Cape Blends for 2015, and their components are:

Anura LB Cape Cuvée 2014 (Pinotage, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon)

Idiom Cape Blend 2012 (Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot)

KWV Abraham Perold Tributum 2013 (Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec)

Welbedacht Hat Trick 2007 (Pinotage, Shiraz, Merlot)

Wellington Wines La Cave Cape Blend 2013 (Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon)

The other 6 finalists were:

Cloof Wine Estate Inkspot Vin Noir 2011 (Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut)

Kaapzicht Steytler Vision 2012 (Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)

Namaqua Wines Cellar Door Pinotage/Malbec 2014

Painted Wolf Peloton Rouge 2011 (Pinotage, Shiraz, Mourvedre, Grenache, Viognier)

Pulpit Rock Louisa Reserve 2012 (Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot)

Romond Vineyards Rebus Cape Cuvée 2011 (Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)

The judges for this year's competition were Neil Ellis (convenor), Kevin Arnold, Andre van Rensburg, Karl Lambour, Christine Rudman and Samantha de Morne-Hughes (associate).

The line up of finalists before the awards

Sorry Cullinan but this was the worst canapé we had all week. Sticky rice paper rolls with a whisper of salmon and sour overcooked stir fried vegetables