Certain ratings count more than others: Top Wine SA 2022
THERE ARE those South African wines that have been highly rated in 2022. And there are those that were MOST highly rated during the year – and then some. All scored 97 or higher, trophy laureates, competition winners, the best of the best according to panels of experts around the world AND with good track records in terms of the SA Wine Classification.
• Most Highly Rated SA Whites in 2022
• Most Highly Rated SA Bubblies in 2022
• Most Highly Rated SA Pinks in 2022
• Most Highly Rated SA Reds in 2022
• Most Highly Rated SA Sweets in 2022
White Wines
CHARDONNAY
Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2021
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R325pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Capensis Chardonnay 2018
Master award at Global Wine Masters (UK)
R950pb ex-producer, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
De Wetshof Bateleur Chardonnay 2020
97/100 at Decanter World Wine Awards (UK)
R625pb ex-cellar, Robertson
La Vierge Jezebelle Chardonnay 2021
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R170pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Neil Ellis Whitehall Chardonnay 2020
Trophy at International Wine Challenge (UK)
R325pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Oldenburg Chardonnay 2021
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R260pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay 2020
98/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R280pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2020
97/100 at Decanter World Wine Awards (UK)
R850pb ex-cellar, Elgin
CHENIN BLANC
Brookdale Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2020
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R295pb ex-cellar, Paarl
David & Nadia Plat’bos Chenin Blanc 2021
97/100 in Platter’s SA Wine Guide
R680pb ex-cellar, Malmesbury
Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2021
97/100 at Decanter World Wine Awards (UK)
R145pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2013
98/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
Museum Class, Stellenbosch cellar
Lievland Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2021
98/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R170pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Mentors Chenin Blanc 2020
97/100 at Decanter World Wine Awards (UK)
R159pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
Spier Woolworths Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2020
98/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
Exclusive to national retail chain
Vrede en Lust Kogelberg Chenin Blanc 2019
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R175pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Vrede en Lust Kogelberg Chenin Blanc 2020
Trophy at Global Fine Wine Challenge (AU)
R175pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
RIESLING
Jordan Real McCoy Riesling 2021
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R160pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2021
97/100 at Decanter World Wine Awards (UK)
R195pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Diemersdal Journal Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Trophy at Mondial du Sauvignon (FR)
R230pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Land’s End Cape Agulhas Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Trophy at International Wine Challenge (UK)
R150pb from Du Toitskloof cellar, Rawsonville
Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Sauvignon Blanc 2016
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R340pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Paul Cluver Village Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Wine of the Year at National W Challenge (SA)
R100pb ex-cellar, Elgin
WHITE BLENDS
Highlands Road Sine Cera 2017
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R190pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Sparkling Wines
CAP CLASSIQUE
Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Brut Reserve 2013
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R230pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Constantia Uitsig Méthode Cap Classique 2018
Trophy at Cap Classique Challenge
R280pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Des Dieux Claudia Brut 2016
Winner of Cap Classique Challenge
R300pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2017
Wine of the Year at National W Challenge (SA)
R780pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut 2015
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R245pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Villiera Monro Brut 2015
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R330pb ex-cellar, Koelenhof-Stellenbosch
Pink Wines
ROSÉ
Groote Post Limited Release Pinot Noir Rosé 2022
Winner of Rosé Rocks (SA)
R99pb ex-cellar
Red Wines
CABERNET FRANC
Chamonix Cabernet Franc Reserve 2020
Winner of Cab Franc Challenge (SA)
R252pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Mentors Cabernet Franc 2019
97/100 at Decanter World Wine Awards (SA)
R319pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Master award at Global Wine Masters (UK)
R495pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Tokara Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Trophy at Veritas Awards (SA)
R370pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
MALBEC
Doolhof Bloedklip 2018
Master award at Global Wine Masters (UK)
R945pb ex-cellar, Wellington
PINOT NOIR
Bouchard Finlayson Tête de Cuvée Pinot Noir 2020
Trophy at International Wine Challenge (UK)
R1240pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
PINOTAGE
Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve 2020
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R180pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage 2020
98/100 in Platter’s SA Wine Guide
R2200pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
SHIRAZ / SYRAH
Glen Carlou Syrah 2019
Winner of Syrah du Monde (FR)
R180pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Sons of Sugarland Syrah 2021
97/100 in Platter’s SA Wine Guide
R390pb from Patatsfontein/Boschkloof, Montagu/Stellenbosch
RED BLENDS
Columella 2020
98/100 in Platter’s SA Wine Guide
R919pb from Sadie Family, Paardeberg-Malmesbury
Flagstone Dragon Tree 2019
Wine of the Year at National W Challenge (SA)
R140pb ex-cellar, Somerset West
Glen Carlou Collection Red Blend 2019
98/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R295pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Stellenbosch ‘1679’ Legacy 2018
97/100 at Decanter World Wine Awards (UK)
R525pb from Koelenhof Winery, Stellenbosch
Vergelegen G.V.B Red 2015
97/100 at International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK)
R650pb ex-cellar, Somerset West
Sweet Wines
DESSERT – UNFORTIFIED
Mullineux Olerasay Straw Wine NV
97/100 in Platter’s SA Wine Guide
R1175pb (375ml) ex-producer, Franschhoek
Nederburg Private Bin Eminence Noble Late Harvest Muscadel 2012
98/100 AT Trophy Wine Show (SA)
Museum Class, Paarl Cellar
PORT – FORTIFIED
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2012
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
Museum Class, Calitzdorp Cellar
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2019
Wine of the Year at National W Challenge (SA)
R375pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp
Delaire Graff Cape Vintage 2019
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R485pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
