THESE ARE the South African wines most highly rated in 2020, contenders for the title of SA Wine of the Year! Or should that be Winery of the Year, or Winemaker of the Year? Clearly some reviews count more than others. On the other hand, it says a lot when a wine wows more than one panel of experts – three or four even. Perhaps singling-out an overall champion is an impossible ask, given how strong the field is – and can you really, honestly compare a Chardonnay with a Cabernet, a Sauvignon against a Shiraz? National treasures all, these are:

TOP TROPHY WINNERS

Bartinney Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Banghoek, Stellenbosch, R350pb
• Wine of the Year at IWSC (UK)
• Also 96/100 at Decanter Awards (UK)

Boschendal Elgin Chardonnay 2018
WO Elgin, Franschhoek Cellar, R425pb
• SA White Wine Trophy at IWC (UK)

Chamonix Chardonnay 2018
Franschhoek, R200pb
• Top Score at Michelangelo Awards (SA)

Groot Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Constantia, R174pb
• Top Sauvignon Blanc at IWC (UK)

Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc 2019
Stellenbosch, R114
• SA Champion at Concours Mondial (BE)
• Also 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide

Mentors Orchestra 2018 (KWV)
Cabernet-Driven Red Blend, WO Western Cape, Paarl Cellar, R260
• Vertex Award for Top Score at Veritas (SA)

Newstead Brut 2015
Cap Classique Sparkling Chardonnay, Plettenberg Bay, R245pb
• Winner of Cap Classique Challenge (SA)
• Also 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide

Quoin Rock Red Blend 2015
Cabernet-Driven, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, R600pb
• Wine of the Year at IWSC (UK)

Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2018
Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, R410pb
• Best in Show at Decanter Awards (UK)
• Also Best in Class at Trophy Wine Show (SA)

Trizanne Reserve Syrah 2018
WO Elim, Noordhoek Cellar, R250pb
• Top Score at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
• Also Top 12 in Shiraz SA Challenge

MOST APPLAUDED

Babylonstoren Shiraz 2018
Simonsberg-Paarl, R265pb
• 96/100 at Decanter Awards (UK)
• Gold Medal at IWC (UK)
• Top 12 in Shiraz SA Challenge

Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2018
Stellenbosch, R850pb
• Wine of the Year in Platter’s SA Wine Guide
• Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards (SA)
• Top 10 in Winemag Report (SA)

Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Cederberg, R550pb
• Best in Class at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
• 96/100 at Decanter Awards (UK)
• Grand Gold Medal at Concours Mondial (BE)

De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2018
WO Elim, Panorama/Durbanville Cellar, R765pb (1.5L)
• Top 12 in Shiraz SA Challenge (SA)
• Top 10 in Winemag Report (SA)
• 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide

De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2017
Port Style, Calitzdorp, R325pb
• Best in Class at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
• Best in Class at National Wine Challenge (SA)
• Top 10 in Winemag Report (SA)

Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2017
Cabernet-Driven Red Blend, Helshoogte, Stellenbosch, R315pb
• 95/100 at Decanter Awards (UK)
• Platinum at TEXSOM Awards (USA)
• Gold Medal at Trophy Wine Show (SA)

DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2019
Stellenbosch Kloof, R430pb
• Trophy at IWC (UK)
• Top 10 in Chenin Blanc Challenge (SA)
• 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide

Diemersdal Journal Pinotage 2018
Durbanville, R320pb
• Trophy in Top 10 Pinotage Competition (SA)
• Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards (SA)
• 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide

Diemersdal Winter Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Durbanville, R145pb
• Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10
• Trophy at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
• Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards (SA)

Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2016
Muscat de Frontignan, Natural Sweet, Constantia, R771pb (375ml)
• Gold Medal at IWC (UK)
• Best in Class at National Wine Challenge (SA)
• Double Gold Medal at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
• 98/100 at Gilbert & Gaillard (FR)

Highlands Road Semillon 2018
Elgin, R220pb
• Platinum at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
• Top 10 in Winemag Report (SA)
• Wine of the Year at National Wine Challenge (SA)

Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Stellenbosch, R220pb
• Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10
• Platinum at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
• 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide

Leeuwenkuil Heritage Syrah 2017
Swartland, R349pb
• 95/100 at Decanter Awards (UK)
• Top 10 in Winemag Report (SA)
• Top 12 in Shiraz SA Challenge

Old Road Pepper Wind Syrah 2017
Franschhoek, R360pb
• Top 12 in Shiraz SA Challenge
• Double Gold Medal at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
• National Winner at SA Terroir Awards

Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2018
Elgin, R800pb
• Platinum at Decanter Awards (UK)
• Gold Medal at IWC (UK)
• Top 10 in Winemag Report (SA)

Saronsberg Full Circle 2018
Shiraz-Driven Red Blend, Tulbagh, R500pb
• Top 3 Blends in Shiraz SA Challenge
• 95/100 at Decanter Awards (UK)
• 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide

Shannon Mount Bullet 2017
Merlot, Elgin, R465pb
• Wine of the Year in Platter’s SA Wine Guide
• Top 10 in Winemag Report (SA)
• Best in Class at National Wine Challenge (SA)

Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2019
Stellenbosch, R230pb
• Top 10 in Chenin Blanc Challenge (SA)
• Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards (SA)
• 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide

Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch, R195pb
• 95/100 at Decanter Awards (UK)
• Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10
• Gold Medal at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
• Top 10 in Winemag Report (SA)

Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2019
Stellenbosch, R225pb
• Gold Medal at IWC (UK)
• Gold Medal at IWSC (UK)
• 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide

Stettyn Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2020
Pink, Villiersdorp/Worcester, R65pb
• Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards (SA)
• Double Gold Medal at Rosé Rocks (SA)
• National Winner at SA Terroir Awards

Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Helshoogte, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, R330pb
• Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards (SA)
• Top 10 in Winemag Report (SA)
• 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide
• Double Gold Medal at Michelangelo Awards (SA)

Wildekrans Barrel Select Reserve Cape Blend 2017
Pinotage-Driven, Bot River, R340pb
• Double Gold Medal at Michelangelo Awards (SA)
• 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide
• National Winner at SA Terroir Awards

For all of the top South African wine ratings during the past year, see here. For info about the top wine-judging panels, see here.