In conjunction with RisCura, a global financial services provider, Winemag.co.za is pleased to announce the inaugural RisCura Red Hot Wine Awards featuring Bordeaux-style red blends.

The Bordeaux region in the southwest of France is famous for its red blends, the best of which have the ability to mature with benefit for many years in bottle. The two grape varieties that feature most prominently are austere Cabernet Sauvignon and fleshy Merlot, although Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot also play a role. The style has been imitated around the world and South Africa is no exception.

85 entries were received from 64 producers for this year’s competition. 11 wines were rated 90 or higher on the 100-point quality scale and these were recognised during an event held at Stellenbosch’s new De Warenmarkt on Wednesday, 5 August.

The top wines were as follows:

92
Diemersdal Private Collection 2013
MR De Compostella 2013 – Best Overall

91
Dombeya Fenix 2010
Fleur du Cap Laszlo 2009
Keet First Verse 2011
Morgenster 2010
Morgenster 2012

90
Fleur du Cap Laszlo 2008
Overgaauw Tria Corda 2012
Thelema Rabelais 2011
Uva Mira O.T.V. 2013

As best wine overall, the MR De Compostella 2013 won a new top-of-range 225-litre Grande Reserve Château Tradition barrel from Tonnellerie Sylvain.

This competition becomes a companion project to the RisCura White Hot Wine Awards begun in 2013 and featuring Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blends, the white wine traditionally associated with Bordeaux. Results of the White Hot Wine Awards will made public on 3 September.

Follow the action on twitter #RisCuraRedHot

Wine magazine was published from 1993 until 2011 and now lives on in digital form. It covers everything to do with South African fine wine.

Christian Eedes is editor. After graduating from Stellenbosch University with a BA Honours in philosophy, he joined Wine magazine in 2000 and served as editor between May 2008 and December 2009. He has completed a wine evaluation course and a small-scale winemaking course under the auspices of the Department of Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University. His experience includes tasting for the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show and Platter’s South African Wine Guide in addition to various other local and international competitions.

Jacqueline Lahoud is business manager. She has extensive media experience including being publisher of Getaway magazine and Show & Events Director at RamsayMedia. Now runs her own digital marketing business in Cape Town.