TWO WINES scored 99 points on their 100-point scale. A first for Platter's South African Wine Guide. Most highly rated in the 2026 edition, the hardcover version available in book stores from December 2025:
A Chenin Blanc, Botanica Mary Delany 2024, grapes from the Citrusdal Mountain district in the Olifants River region of the Cape winelands, brand home in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch, the wine expected to go on sale in the first week of December 2025;
A Shiraz, Leeuwenkuil Heritage 2022, Swartland grapes, Paarl cellar, the wine scheduled for release onto the market in the second week of December 2025.
After reviewing some 8000 wines, Platter's team of critics chose 300 that they felt were deserving of Five Stars: “Wines scored 93 points and higher in the primary (sighted) tasting round are re-assessed blind to find the Five Star laureates.” Of these “superlative South African classics”, 214 were given 95 points, 66 rated 96 points, 14 were scored 97, with four wines considered worthy of 98 points and two on 99. See below for what the tasters regarded as the best of the best.
The much anticipated Winery of the Year awards were presented to Diemersdal Estate of Durbanville (most wines rated Five Stars), Alheit Vineyards of Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge (ambassadors par excellence for South African wine), and The Saldanha Wine & Spirit Co (top-performing newcomer) with their Hanepoot and Sherry-style fortified wines.
Most Highly Rated Wines
99/100
Botanica Mary Delany Chenin Blanc 2024
Leeuwenkuil Heritage Syrah 2022
98/100
Alheit Magnetic North 2024 (Chenin)
Anysbos Tesame 2023 (Red Blend)
Crystallum Mabalel Pinot Noir 2024
Old Road Pepper Wind Syrah 2024
97/100
Ahrens Family Koffieklip OVC 2023 (Chenin)
Boschkloof Epilogue 2023 (Shiraz)
Carinus Rooidraai Chenin Blanc 2024
Constantia Glen Five 2022 (Red Blend)
Crystallum Clay Shales Chardonnay 2024
Ernie Els Signature 2022 (Red Blend)
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chardonnay 2024
Oldenburg Rondekop Per Se Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Raats Vlag Cabernet Franc 2023
Sadie Family Mev Kirsten 2024 (Chenin)
Silverthorn Jewel Box 2019 (Cap Classique)
Strandveld Pofadderbos Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Wildeberg White 2023 (Semillon)
Wolf & Woman Chenin Blanc 2024
White Wines Rated 96+
CHARDONNAY
Almenkerk 2023 – 96/100
R310pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Atlas Swift Robertson 2024 – 96/100
R450pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Crystallum Clay Shales 2024 – 97/100
R825pb ex-producer, Bot River
DeMorgenzon Reserve 2022 – 96/100
R490pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof
Iona Kloof 2023 – 96/100
R825pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Journey's End Destination 2024 – 96/100
R440pb ex-cellar, Sir Lowry's Pass-Somerset West
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2024 – 97/100
R299pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Leeu Passant Radicales Libres 2019 – 96/100
R915pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Paul Clüver CWG Wagon Trail 2024 – 96/100
Auction Wine, Elgin cellar
Tokara Reserve Stellenbosch 2024 – 96/100
R295pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
CHENIN BLANC
Ahrens Family Koffieklip OVC 2023 – 97/100
R450pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Alheit Magnetic North 2024 – 98/100
R790pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Angus Paul Fantamtango 2024 – 96/100
R400pb ex-cellar, Polkadraai Hills-Stellenbosch
Botanica Mary Delany 2024 – 99/100
R790pb ex-producer, Devon Valley-Stellenbosch
Bothey Harmony 2024 – 96/100
R360pb ex-producer, Somerset West
Carinus Rooidraai 2024 – 97/100
R410pb ex-cellar, Devon Valley-Stellenbosch
David & Nadia Plat'bos 2024 – 96/100
R940pb ex-cellar, Paardeberg-Swartland
De Trafford Skin Macerated 2024 – 96/100
R360pb ex-cellar, Upper Blaauwklippen-Stellenbosch
Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve 2024 – 96/100
R150pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Intrepid 2024 – 96/100
R312pb ex-Belle Rebelle cellar, Rawsonville-Breedekloof
Leeuwenkuil Reserve 2024 – 96/100
R150pb ex-cellar, Paarl
McFarlane Monday's Child 2024 – 96/100
R285pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Opstal Bergsteen 2024 – 96/100
R500pb ex-cellar, Slanghoek-Breedekloof
Sadie Family Mev Kirsten 2024 – 97/100
R1330pb ex-cellar, Paardeberg-Swartland
Wolf & Woman 2024 – 97/100
R360pb ex-producer, Riebeek West-Swartland
GRENACHE BLANC
Scions of Sinai Gramadoelas 2024 – 96/100
R330pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Terra Loci déjà vu 2024 – 96/100
R325pb ex-producer, Paarl
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Cape Point Reserve 2024 – 96/100
R268pb ex-cellar, Noordhoek
Constantia Glen 2024 – 96/100
R210pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
Diemersdal Globe 2024 – 96/100
R750pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Diemersdal Journal 2024 – 96/100
R280pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Diemersdal Winter Ferment 2025 – 96/100
R175pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Neil Ellis Amica 2022 – 96/100
R360pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Strandveld Pofadderbos 2024 – 97/100
R205pb ex-cellar, Elim-Agulhas Triangle
Thorne & Daughters Snakes & Ladders 2024 – 96/100
R435pb ex-producer, Bot River
SEMILLON
Sadie Family Kokerboom 2024 – 96/100
R600pb ex-cellar, Paardeberg-Swartland
Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite 2024 – 96/100
R435pb ex-producer, Bot River
Wildeberg Amphora 2023 – 96/100
R445pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Wildeberg White 2023 – 97/100
R450pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
WHITE BLEND
Mullineux Roundstone 2024 – 96/100
R650pb ex-cellar, Riebeek Kasteel-Swartland
Sparkling Wines Rated 96+
CAP CLASSIQUE
Graham Beck Cuvée Clive X 2015 – 96/100
R2800pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Le Lude Brut Magnum 2015 – 96/100
R1600pb (1.5L) ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Silverthorn Jewel Box 2019 – 97/100
R560pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Red Wines Rated 96+
CABERNET FRANC
Kaapzicht 2022 – 96/100
R350pb ex-cellar, Bottelary-Stellenbosch
Niel Joubert Reserve 2022 – 96/100
R210pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Raats Vlag 2023 – 97/100
R1600pb ex-producer, Polkadraai Hills-Stellenbosch
Rainbow's End 2023 – 96/100
R355pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Cederberg Five Generations 2023 – 96/100
R850pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
Delaire Graff Laurence Graff Reserve 2021 – 96/100
R6500pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
Le Riche 2023 – 96/100
R410pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Miles Mossop Sam 2022 – 96/100
R995pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Oldenburg Rondekop Per Se 2022 – 97/100
R1190pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Simonsig Labyrinth 2022 – 96/100
R255pb ex-cellar, Koelenhof-Stellenbosch
CINSAULT
Bosman Twyfeling 2023 – 96/100
R325pb ex-cellar, Wellington
GRENACHE NOIR
Hoendertande 2023 – 96/100
R300pb ex-De Kleine Wijn cellar, Wellington
PETIT VERDOT
KWV Mentors 2022 – 96/100
R349pb ex-cellar, Paarl
PINOT NOIR
Botanica Mary Delany 2024 – 96/100
Price t.b.c. ex-producer, Devon Valley-Stellenbosch
Crystallum Mabalel 2024 – 98/100
R825pb ex-producer, Bot River
Paul Clüver Estate 2024 – 96/100
R360pb ex-cellar, Elgin
PINOTAGE
Tokara 2023 – 96/100
R420pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
SHIRAZ / SYRAH
Boschkloof Epilogue 2023 – 97/100
R1120pb ex-cellar, Polkadraai Hills-Stellenbosch
Fairview Lanner Hill 2022 – 96/100
R630pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Leeuwenkuil Heritage 2022 – 99/100
R460pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Old Road Pepper Wind 2024 – 98/100
R480pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
Quoin Rock 2021 – 96/100
R750pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Ridgeback 2021 – 96/100
R150pb ex-cellar, Windmeul-Paarl
Saxenburg Select 2021 – 96/100
R1600pb ex-cellar, Kuils River-Stellenbosch
RED BLENDS
Anysbos Tesame 2023 (Cape Rhône) – 98/100
R390pb ex-cellar, Bot River
Constantia Glen Five 2022 (Cape Bordeaux) – 97/100
R745pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
Delaire Graff Estate The Banghoek 2020 (Cape Bordeaux) – 96/100
R3250pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
Ernie Els Signature 2022 (Cape Bordeaux) – 97/100
R900pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Flagstone Velvet 2023 (Cape Rhône) – 96/100
R770pb ex-cellar, Somerset West / Strand
Glenelly Lady May 2020 (Cape Bordeaux) – 96/100
R980pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Jordan Cobblers Hill 2022 (Cape Bordeaux) – 96/100
R595pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof
MR de Compostella 2022 (Cape Bordeaux) – 96/100
R2150pb ex-Raats, Polkadraai Hills-Stellenbosch
Oldenburg 8th Element 2022 (Cape Bordeaux) – 96/100
Price t.b.c. ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Tokara Director's Reserve 2022 (Cape Bordeaux) – 96/100
R525pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
Waterford Jem 2020 – 96/100
R2250pb ex-cellar, Upper Blaauwklippen-Stellenbosch
Zorgvliet Richelle 2021 (Cape Bordeaux) – 96/100
R490pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Sweet Wines Rated 96+
UNFORTIFIED DESSERT
Buitenverwachting ‘1769' 2023 (Noble Late Harvest) – 96/100
R400pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Constantia
Fairview La Beryl Blanc 2024 (Straw Wine) – 96/100
R395pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Paarl
Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest 2025 – 96/100
R330pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Stellenrust Chenin d'Muscat Natural Sweet 2023 – 96/100
R235pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Helderbeg-Stellenbosch
FORTIFIED DESSERT
Saldanha Hanepoot 2014 – 96/100
R180pb (500ml) ex-producer, Saldanha Bay
CAPE PORT
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2023 – 96/100
R350pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp-Klein Karoo
Niel Joubert Nammi Cape LBV 2004 – 96/100
R1250pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
