IN THE 2018 report on South African Bordeaux-Style Red Blends by Winemag.co.za, six wines were rated outstanding (93 to 94 out of 100) and 27 were considered excellent (90 to 92). In total, 81 wines from 64 producers were reviewed by the panel comprising Winemag’s Christian Eedes (chair), Roland Peens and James Pietersen (both of Cape Town merchant Wine Cellar).

Of the 33 top-scoring wines, 22 are from Stellenbosch, and curiously, two of them – Lanzerac’s Le Général and Warwick’s Three Cape Ladies – have switched from Pinotage-based Cape blends to Cab-driven combo’s from the 2015 vintage.

Judged ‘Best Wine Overall’ was the 2016 Richelle from Zorgvliet, one of the youngest wines on the tasting bench! Full report here.

RATED ‘OUTSTANDING’

Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2016
R325 pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl

Ernie Els Signature 2014
R785 pb ex-cellar, Helderberg, Stellenbosch

Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2015
R170 pb ex-cellar, Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch

Muratie Ansela van de Caab 2015
R360 pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Mvemve Raats De Compostella 2014
R1150 pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

Zorgvliet Richelle 2016
R290 pb ex-cellar, Banghoek, Stellenbosch