Earlier this month, I participated in The Judgement of Cape Town, a blind tasting event focused on premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, echoing the historic Judgement of Paris in 1976. This was the second blind tasting orchestrated by The Singles Club, which highlights the collaborative efforts of Hemel-en-Aarde producers including Restless River, Storm Wines, and Newton Johnson, united by their passion for terroir-driven wines.
This event stood out as being particularly organized and structured compared to the first tasting. A panel of international and local judges, including the winemakers, evaluated six flights of wine without knowing their identities. The process involved silent scoring followed by discussions after each flight, with moderator Eben Sadie expertly guiding the conversation to maintain focus. He emphasized the event’s intent, stating, "It’s not about us versus them," while acknowledging the challenges of blind evaluations.
The tasting commenced with 2022 Pinot Noirs, yielding a diverse range of expressions, from robust, ripe versions to more herbal styles. The scoring was tight, with results ranging from 92.88 to 93.69 points. Notably, Restless River Le Luc Pinot Noir 2022 claimed first place, edging out Domaine Armand Rousseau Pere et Fils Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru by a narrow margin.
Final Pinot Noir Scores
- Restless River Le Luc Pinot Noir 2022 – 93.69 points
- Domaine Armand Rousseau Pere et Fils Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2022 – 93.63 points
- Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2022 – 93.50 points
- Newton Johnson Windandsea Pinot Noir 2022 – 93.19 points
- Storm Ridge Pinot Noir 2022 – 93.06 points
- Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Les Cras 2022 Premier Cru – 93.13 points
- Bass Phillip Premium Pinot Noir 2022 – 92.88 points
The Chardonnay segment of the tasting showed a more consistent quality. Although the styles varied, from reductive to oak-driven, the overall energy and minerality were impressive. Scores ranged from 91.06 to 94.69, with Domaine Bouchard Pere & Fils Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2021 narrowly surpassing Newton Johnson CWG Sandford Chardonnay 2022.
Final Chardonnay Scores
- Domaine Bouchard Pere & Fils Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2021 – 94.69 points
- Newton Johnson CWG Sandford Chardonnay 2022 – 94.31 points
- Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2022 – 94.25 points
- Restless River Ava Marie Chardonnay 2022 – 94.00 points
- Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 – 93.25 points
- Sandhi Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay 2022 – 93.19 points
- Domaine Bachelet-Monnot Les Folatières Premier Cru 2022 – 93.63 points
- Storm Vrede Chardonnay 2022 – 91.06 points
- Kistler Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay 2023 – 91.73 points
As the results revealed themselves, it became clear that South African wines were competitive with their international counterparts, showcasing the region’s capability to excel in both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The spirit of Steven Spurrier, an influential figure behind the Judgement of Paris, resonated strongly throughout the event, reinforcing the notion that exceptional wines are emerging from Hemel-en-Aarde.
For further insights, check out the detailed write-up on The Judgement of Cape Town.