ON RELEASE, the 2024 Absa Top 10 Pinotage Competition results were trumpeted to and from all corners of South Africa's Cape winelands and then out to fans around the country, around the world. The Pinotage Association has hosted the challenge every year for going on three decades, and remarkably, all of the winning producers in 2024 have collected an Absa Top 10 trophy multiple times over the past 10 years, all consistently among the most highly rated by the top panels locally and internationally as monitored for the SA Wine Classification: Beeslaar, Beyerskloof, Kanonkop and Koelenhof of Stellenbosch, Diemersdal in Durbanville, Flagstone in Somerset West, Francois van Niekerk and Wellington Wines, Rijk's of Tulbagh and Windmeul in Paarl.
For more about the 2024 Absa Top 10, see below. Industry statistics have Pinotage as one of the three most-planted red wine grape varieties in South Africa, and in 2025 there will be celebrations aplenty to mark 100 years since the ‘birth' of this Pinot Noir Hermitage (Cinsault) cross, thanks to Stellenbosch University Prof Abraham Perold back in 1925.
Beeslaar Pinotage 2022
WO Stellenbosch. Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar
Alc 14.5 | RS 3.1 | TA 5.8 | pH 3.7
Vibrant crimson-red hue, with aromatic hints of cranberry and raspberry complemented by subtle undertones of oak spice, tobacco leaf and Fynbos. The palate has succulent plum and black cherry flavours enhanced by French oak, fragrant spices, and a rustic herbal hint. Possesses the ability to age, exhibits complexity and exudes elegance.
R660pb ex-producer, Stellenbosch
Beyerskloof Winemakers Reserve Pinotage 2022
WO Stellenbosch (Bottelary Hills and Kriekbult vineyards). Winemaker Anri Truter
Alc 15 | RS 5 | TA 5.9 | pH 3.6
Lovely red and sweet fruit flavours with hints of oak in the background. Great balance and a tannin structure with a lasting finish. Will age superbly for 10 years or longer.
R350pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve 2022
WO Durbanville. Winemakers Thys Louw & Juandre Bruwer
Alc 14.8 | RS 2.4 | TA 5.8 | pH 3.6
Enchants with luscious dark fruit, delicate violet notes and a touch of strawberry. The palate is intense and rounded, with well-integrated oak that complements the delightful fruit and floral aromas. Firm tannins lend structure while maintaining accessibility. Offers delightful red fruit pastilles with vibrant acidity, suggesting excellent potential for ageing.
R210pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Flagstone Writer's Block Pinotage 2021
WO Swartland. Winemaker Gerhard Swart
Alc 14.8 | RS 3.5 | TA 5.6 | pH 3.5
A delicate nose of cinnamon and ripe, dark fruits like mulberry and blackberry. On the palate, an intense blend of black and blue fruit and red cherries, wrapped up in soft, well-integrated oak with a long, satisfying finish, highlighting the concentration of fruit.
R412pb ex-cellar, Somerset West / Strand
Francois van Niekerk Pinotage 2022
WO Coastal Region. Winemaker Francois van Niekerk
Alc 14.6 | RS 3.7 | TA 6.4 | pH 3.5
A dense, purple black colour. The aromas are layered and complex, expressing scented notes of black and blueberry fruit, black cherries, stewed plums, liquorice, berry compote, baked berry tart and oak spice. Cascading flavours of cherry kirsch, hedgerow fruit and plums. Polished, fine, filigree-like tannins, adding structure and depth without overshadowing the fruit. A detailed balanced wine with a great concentration of dark fruits on the finish.
R804pb ex-producer, Wellington
Kanonkop Pinotage 2018
WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch. Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar
Alc 14.8 | RS 2.2 | TA 5.4 | pH 3.7
Intense purple hues and scented aromas of red currants, macerated cherries, and cinnamon spice. Palate features a silky tannin structure, backed by acidity. Subtle vanilla undertones from the oak profile contrast with a fruit explosion of wild bramble, plums, and blackberries. Elegant finish.
Museum wine, Stellenbosch cellar
La Cave Pinotage 2022
WO Wellington. Wellington Wines. Winemaker Daniel Slabber
Alc 14 | RS 3.4 | TA 5.9 | pH 3.9
The deep purple Pinotage has aromas of plums, red berries, spices, and beetroots, with oak notes of coffee and vanilla. A precise palate with mouth-coating tannins.
R240pb ex-cellar, Wellington
Rijk's Private Cellar Pinotage 2020
WO Tulbagh. Winemaker Pierre Wahl. Current winemaker Adriaan Jacobs
Alc 14.5 | RS 2.7 | TA 6 | pH 3.6
This deep-coloured, medium-bodied Pinotage has a complex nose of mulberry, ripe cherries and plum. These red fruit aromas carry through onto a rich palate, supported by a good concentration of tannin and well-integrated oak, which lends subtle wood spice that compliments the fruit.
R350pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
Stellenbosch ‘1679' Old Vine Pinotage 2022
WO Stellenbosch. Koelenhof Winery. Winemakers Nicholas Husselman & Handré Visagie
Alc 14.8 | RS 2.4 | TA 6 | pH 3.5
Full-bodied, ruby-red colour, aromas of fresh cherries and hints of spice accompanied by red fruit and mocha on the palate.
R390pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Windmeul The Legend Collection Pinotage 2022
WO Paarl. Winemaker Abraham van Heerden
Alc 14.5 | RS 2.5 | TA 6.4 | pH 3.7
This deep red ruby-coloured wine has aromas of cedar, cherries, and dark fruit. On the palate, the full-bodied wine shows layers of ripe cherries, fruity plums, well-integrated oak, and a fine tannin structure that leaves you with a long aftertaste.
R350pb ex-cellar, Paarl
