2022 HAD ALREADY got underway when Decanter (UK) announced the names of their Wines of the Year 2021. Experts around the world and on the Decanter team nominated those wines that had impressed them most during the year to October 2021, and these were then re-assessed by a panel comprising three of the publication’s judges: Master of Wine Michelle Cherutti-Kowal, Master Sommelier Stefan Neumann and author Matt Walls. By the end of the tasting, 27 wines were scored 96 points or higher, and of these, two were Chenin Blancs from Stellenbosch cellars, one of them priced at under R80!

Scored 99/100 was Henschke Hill of Grace Eden Valley 2016 (Shiraz from South Australia). On 98 were Dom Perignon 2008 (Champagne), Cantina Terlano Primo Terlaner 2018 (white blend of Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from Alto Adige in Italy), and Cape Landing Blackwood Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Western Australia). There were 12 wines scored 97/100, including the 2020 Oldenburg Chenin Blanc (R220pb) from Banghoek, Stellenbosch, with the 2020 Stellenrust Chenin Blanc among the 11 rated 96 – the latter made from Bottelary grapes at one of the top Helderberg wineries in Stellenbosch and priced at R72pb ex-cellar.*

Four other South Africans among the Decanter Wines of the Year 2021 included Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2018 at R495pb ex-cellar in Franschhoek, scored 95/100, Babylonstoren Shiraz 2019 at R265pb ex-cellar in Paarl, scored 94, with Graham Beck Ultra Brut 2015 Cap Classique at R370pb ex-cellar in Robertson and the 2017 vintage of KWV’s red blend Roodeberg ‘1949’ at R240pb ex-cellar in Paarl both on 93 points.