THESE ARE the red blends from South Africa's winelands that most impressed the top panels internationally in 2023 to date, with by far the majority of them – those highlighted in red – included in the SA Wine Classification showcasing good track records over the past 10 years. Many of these producers have been pulling it off virtually vintage after vintage.
Allee Bleue L'Amour Tojours 2018
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
95 points in Winemag Report (SA)
R300pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Alvi's Drift Drift Fusion 2021
Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Durif (Petite Sirah), Petit Verdot
Best in Class at National Wine Challenge (SA)
R165pb ex-cellar, Scherpenheuwel-Worcester
Babylonstoren Babel 2021
Shiraz, Pinotage, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, Marselan
One of Top 3 Blends in Shiraz SA Challenge
R180pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2020
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
A Wine of the Year at National Wine Challenge (SA)
R605pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Beau Constantia Aidan 2018
Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot
95 points at International Wine Challenge (UK)
R300pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2020
Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Mourvèdre
97 points at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R399pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Constantia Glen Five 2020
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot
96 points in International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK)
95 points at Decanter Awards (UK)
R620pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Constantia Glen Three 2020
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
95 points in Winemag Report (SA)
R360pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec
95 points in Winemag Report (SA)
R405pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Deux Frères Tribute 2020
Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
95 points in Gilbert & Gaillard Challenge (FR)
R370pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Ernie Els Signature 2017
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot
95 points at Decanter Awards (UK)
R875pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Essay Syrah Cinsault & Grenache & Mourvèdre 2021
98 points at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R105pb from Lievland cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Flagstone Velvet 2017
Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut
One of Top 3 Blends in SA Shiraz Challenge
R750pb ex-cellar, Strand / Somerset West
Glenelly Lady May 2017
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot
95 points in Gilbert & Gaillard Challenge (FR)
R695pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
95 points at Decanter Awards (UK)
R540pb ex-cellar, Constantia
High Road Director's Reserve 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot
Best in Class – 98 points – at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
R475pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
KWV Mentors Orchestra 2020
Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
96 points in Gilbert & Gaillard Challenge (FR)
Gold medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Gold medal at Mundus Vini (DE)
R339pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
KWV Mentors Perold 2019
Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Petite Sirah
One of Top 6 in Perold Cape Blend Competition (SA)
Gold medal at Mundus Vini (DE)
R749pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
Plaisir Grand Plaisir 2018
Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
95 points at Decanter Awards (UK)
R790pb ex-cellar, Simondium-Paarl
Quoin Rock Red Blend 2020
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
95 points in International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK)
R700pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Quoin Rock Simonsberg Blend 2020
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
One of Top 3 Blends in Shiraz SA Challenge
R220pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Roodeberg Dr Charles Niehaus 2019
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah
Double Gold medal at Veritas Awards (Sa)
Gold medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
R339pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
Rust en Vrede ‘1694 Classification' 2018
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
97 points at Decanter Awards (UK)
R2000pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Saronsberg Full Circle 2021
Shiraz, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Roussanne
Master Award at Global Masters (UK)
R620pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
Spier Creative Block 5 2020
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec
Double Gold medal at Veritas Awards (SA)
Gold medal at Concours Mondial (BE)
Gold medal at Mundus Vini (DE)
R215pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo SMV 2020
Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Viognier
Best in Class at National Wine Challenge (SA)
R175pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Warwick Trilogy 2020
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
95 points at Decanter Awards (UK)
R625pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Wildeberg Red 2022
Shiraz, Cabernet Franc
96 points in Winemag Report (SA)
One of Top 12 in Shiraz SA Challenge
R403pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Wolftrap Red 2022
Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Viognier
95 points at International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK)
R70pb from Boekenhoutskloof cellar, Franschhoek
Also most highly rated in 2023:
• Top Cabernet Sauvignon SA
• Top Chardonnay SA
• Top Chenin Blanc SA
• Top Pinotage
• Top Sauvignon Blanc SA
• Top Shiraz SA
