WHAT A PITY that South Africa’s ‘Best in Show’ Stellenbosch Reserve Hangbrug Chenin Blanc 2025 was already ‘sold out’ ex-cellar when the winners of the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards were announced in London. Just R175 a bottle, so perhaps it's no wonder.
Fortunately, there were a number of good value offerings among the country’s eight platinum award winners still available at the time of writing. Take Steenberg’s 2022 Merlot at R240pb – a 97-pointer in a category where SA expressions seldom receive rave reviews. Or what about a Du Toitskloof Pinotage at R155pb.
And whoa! 36 gold medallists from the Cape scored 95/96 at one of the largest and most respected wine competitions internationally. When last did the humble Alto Rouge rise to such heights!
There were over 17 000 entries from 58 countries judged by 245 aficionados including 63 Masters of Wine and 24 Master Sommeliers from 35 countries. Once all was said and done: 6745 bronze medals, 6140 silvers, 924 golds, 196 platinum awards and 50 wines judged best in show. “Every medal-winning wine has passed through a rigorous multi-stage judging process, with top-scoring wines repeatedly re-assessed and debated by specialist panels before receiving gold, platinum or best in show recognition.” For all the results, click here.
BEST SA WINE IN SHOW
Stellenbosch Reserve Hangbrug Chenin Blanc 2025
R175pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
SA PLATINUM WINNERS
Backsberg Patriarch Cabernet Franc 2023
R270pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Boschendal Auré 2022 (Red Blend)
R3500pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Du Toitskloof Granite Pinotage 2024
R155pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville-Breedekloof
Hartenberg Mackenzie 2022 (Red Blend)
R945pb ex-cellar, Bottelary-Stellenbosch
Lothian Chardonnay 2023
R395pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Nederburg Heritage Heroes Anchorman Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024
R240pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Perdeberg Dry Land Joseph's Legacy 2024 (Red Blend)
R212pb ex-cellar, Windmeul-Paarl
Steenberg Merlot 2022
R240pb ex-cellar, Tokai-Constantia Wine Route
SA GOLD LAUREATES
Alto M.P.H.S. 2022 (Red Blend)
R1150pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Alto Rouge 2024 (Red Blend)
R140pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Alvi's Drift Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc 2024
R330pb ex-cellar, Scherpenheuwel-Worcester
Avontuur Taberer 2023 (Red Blend)
R1300pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Boschendal Black Angus 2020 (Red Blend)
R575pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Boschendal Grande Syrah 2022
R1100pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Boschendal Vin D'Or Noble Late Harvest 2024
R600pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Cavalli Warlord 2022 (Red Blend)
R365pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
R890pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
De Trafford Blueprint Syrah 2022
R360pb ex-cellar, Upper Blaauwklippen-Stellenbosch
Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2024
R465pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Ghost Corner Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R340pb ex-Cederberg Wines, Cederberg
GlenWood Vigneron's Selection Chardonnay 2025
R330pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve White 2025 (White Blend)
R550pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Idiom B Bordicon Blend 2022 (Red Blend)
R600pb ex-cellar, Sir Lowry’s Pass-Somerset West
Iona Kloof Chardonnay 2023
R825pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Kasteelberg Carbonic Syrah 2025
Export wine, Riebeek Valley Wine Co, Riebeek Kasteel
Kasteelberg Syrah 2024
R278pb ex-Riebeek Valley Wine Co, Riebeek Kasteel
Kleine Zalze Shiraz Carignan 2024
Export wine, cellar in Stellenbosch
KWV Mentors Orchestra 2022 (Red Blend)
R249pb ex-cellar, Paarl
KWV Mentors Petit Verdot 2022
R359pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
R1150pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Mont Rochelle Miko Red 2022 (Red Blend)
R820pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Mont Rochelle Syrah 2023
R355pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest 2025
R330pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Neil Ellis Jonkershoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
R695pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
Perdeberg Dry Land Natural Sweet Chenin Blanc 2025
R182pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Windmeul-Paarl
Saronsberg Full Circle 2024 (Red Blend)
R740pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh
Spier Villa Blue Albariño 2025
Export wine, cellar in Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Stellenzicht Tristone Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
R245pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Survivor Chenin Blanc Reserve 2023
R350pb ex-Landskroon cellar, Paarl
Thamnus Chardonnay 2023
R500pb ex-cellar, Overberg
Tokara Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
R440pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
Visio Vintners Alliance 2022 (Red Blend)
R375pb ex-Kleine Zalze cellar, Stellenbosch
Wildeberg White 2023 (Semillon)
R458pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Zevenwacht Z Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R330pb ex-cellar, Kuils River-Stellenbosch