Spier Creative Block 5 Honoured In Riscura Red Hot Wine Awards
The Spier Creative Block 5 2013 earned 92 out of 100 in the RisCura Red Hot Wine Awards – only two points behind the highest scoring wine. The awards evaluate South African red blends made in the style that the Bordeaux region in southwest France is known for.
According to Christian Eedes, Editor of Winemag.co.za, the two grape varieties that feature most prominently in Bordeaux-style blends “are austere Cabernet Sauvignon and fleshy Merlot, although Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot also play a role”. The best, he says, have the ability to mature with benefit for many years in bottle.
The 59 entries from 46 producers submitted to the competition were tasted blind by Eedes as well as Roland Peens and James Pietersen of Wine Cellar. Only 13 of these were awarded 90 points or higher – including the Spier Creative Block 5 2013.
The judges described it as “rich and ripe” with “red, black and blue fruit plus attractive oak” and “dense and textured with a long, austere finish”. They praised the wine’s plentiful “sweet fruit, good freshness and fine tannins”.
A class act
Entrenching the award-winning pedigree established by its previous vintages, the Creative Block 5 2013 has been listed as one of the Top 100 SA Wines 2016. It was also awarded a gold at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelle earlier this year.
The wine was crafted by cellar master Frans K. Smit and red wine winemaker Johan Jordaan with grapes handpicked from specially selected vineyards in Darling and Stellenbosch. Fermentation and maturation took place in 300L French oak barrels for 18 months.
Enjoy it with slow-cooked oxtail or fire-roasted wild mushrooms risotto – or after dinner simply on its own.