MANY WOULD wager that GREAT reviews for wines at under R100 a bottle are a thing of the past. Not so according to the judges assessing what was entered for various top panel tastings in 2022 including the Chenin Blanc Challenge, the Michelangelo International Wine Awards and the Top 10 Pinotage Competition – to name just the most recent shows. We’re talking wines scored 95 points or higher on a 100-point scale!

Perdeberg of Paarl and Pulpit Rock of Riebeek West are two of the cellars that appeal for a couple of reasons at least, with Windmeul another of the numerous Paarl wineries that has a long-standing reputation for good value at very affordable prices – just R65 a bottle for their trophy-winning Chenin.

For the names of all South African wines retailing at under R150 that have rated well in panel tastings this year, click here. For those under R100 that have been extremely well received, see below:

 

TOP-RATED WHITES UNDER R100

Arabella Chardonnay 2022
Platinum Award, Michelangelo International (SA): R75pb ex-cellar, Ashton

Boland Cellar Classic Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Platinum Award, Michelangelo International (SA): R82pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Cilmor Winemaker’s Selection Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2021
97/100, Trophy Wine Show (SA): R85pb ex-cellar, Worcester

Laborie Chenin Blanc 2022
Platinum Award, Michelangelo International (SA): R67pb ex-KWV CELLAR, Paarl

Perdeberg Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Platinum Award, Michelangelo International (SA): R70pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Perdeberg Vineyard Collection Grenache Blanc 2021
95/100, International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK): R95pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Stellenbosch Vineyards Bushvine Chenin Blanc 2021
Top 10, Chenin Blanc Challenge (SA): R80pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch

Windmeul Chenin Blanc 2022
Trophy, Michelangelo International (SA): R65pb ex-cellar, Paarl

 

TOP-RATED ROSÉ UNDER R100

Napier Petite Marie 2021
Best in Class, National Wine Challenge (SA): R95pb ex-cellar, Wellington

 

TOP-RATED REDS UNDER R100

Bellingham Homestead Shiraz 2019
Top 10 Gold Medal, Syrah du Monde (FR): R99pb ex-Franschhoek Cellar

Brink Merlot 2020
Platinum Award, Michelangelo International (SA): R90pb ex-Pulpit Rock cellar, Riebeek West

Brink Pinotage 2019
Top 10, Top 10 Pinotage Competition (SA): R90pb ex-Pulpit Rock cellar, Riebeek West

Cloof Duckitt Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc 2020
95/100, International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK): R95pb ex-cellar, Darling

Darling Cellars Chocoholic Pinotage 2020
95/100, Decanter Magazine (UK): R85pb ex-cellar, Darling

Daschbosch Merlot 2020
Trophy, Michelangelo International (SA): R80pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville

Landskroon Merlot 2020
Top 10, Top 10 Merlot Competition (SA): R95pb ex-cellar, Paarl

MAN Skaapveld Syrah 2020
97/100, Trophy Wine Show (SA): R85pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

 

TOP-RATED DESSERT UNDER R100

De Wet Cellar White Muscadel 2021
Best in Class, National Wine Challenge (SA): R65pb ex-cellar, Worcester