Malbec 2024 Challenge Awards

The winning wine was Niel Joubert Proprietor 2015, from Simonsberg-Paarl (Paarl Wine District). An excellent example of how well a high quality Malbec can age. It was already accessible, deliciously drinkable, yet had the potential to age further.

The panel, chaired by Cape Wine Master Christine Rudman, consisted of Janine van Zyl, qualified sommelier and CWM candidate, and Joseph Dhafana, sommelier and owner of Mosi wines. The wines were judged blind, as is usual with these Challenges, and no discussion took place until after the score sheets had been handed to the auditor, from Cecil Kilpin and Co.

More than half the wines came from Stellenbosch or Paarl. The rest were from Banghoek, Wellington, Cape Town, and further afield, from Breedekloof and Swellendam. The different origins reflected in the wines, and overall the panel was impressed by the fruit concentration and typicity, agreeing that the majority had the ability to age, with well-considered oaking and tannin structure.

In previous Challenges, when the winning winemakers were asked what had inspired them to plant Malbec, the answers ranged from for it to be part of the classic 5-variety Bordeaux blend, or because they had visited countries where Malbec is widely grown, like Argentina or Cahors in France, and were impressed by it.

WINNER
Niel Joubert Wines The Proprietor Malbec 2015

GOLD MEDALS FROM PAARL DISTRICT (Alphabetical order)
Niel Joubert Wines The Proprietor Malbec 2016
Mitre’s Edge Vineyards CC Mitre’s Edge Malbec 2021
Vrede en Lust Wines (Pty) Ltd Vrede en Lust Malbec 2022
Eenzaamheid Wines Eenzaamheid Malbec 2022
Mt Vernon Wine Estate Mt Vernon Malbec 2022
Anura Vineyards (Pty) Ltd Anura Reserve Malbec 2022
Fairview Wines (Pty) Ltd Fairview Malbec 2022