“FOUR VINTAGES. Wooded and unwooded. Three wards and six districts across three regions. This is the story of the 2025 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10.” That's according to South Africa's Sauvignon Blanc Association, organisers of the annual competition that this time around attracted 167 entries from 98 producers.
Cederberg Wines' Ghost Corner (WO Elim-Cape Agulhas) and Kleine Zalze's Family Reserve of Stellenbosch shine as wines with great track records in this category – the other wooded expressions among the Top 10 being the Barrel Fermented Steenberg on the Constantia Wine Route and the Blanc Fumé from Vrede en Lust in Paarl. Best value contenders: Merwida from Rawsonville in the Breedekloof and Rietvallei John B from Robertson, both at under R100pb.
On the tasting panel: technical specialist Dr Carien Coetzee of Stellenbosch University (convenor), Cape Wine Master Winifred Bowman, winemaker and CEO of Adama Wines and HER Wine Collection Praisy Dlamini, winemakers Morgan Steyn of De Grendel and Juandré Bruwer of Diemersdal, Cape Wine Master and national sales/export manager of Gabriëlskloof Liezl Richards, and Lauren Segers-Jewell of retailer Wine Cellar.
THE WINNING WINES
Ataraxia Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R175pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge; WO Cape South Coast
Delaire Graff Coastal Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R275pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch, WO Coastal Region
Ghost Corner Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (wooded)
R340pb ex-Cederberg Wines, Cederberg; WO Elim-Agulhas Triangle
Groote Post Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R145pb ex-cellar, Darling
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (wooded)
R299pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch; WO Western Cape
Maastricht Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R130pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Merwida Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R94pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville-Breedekloof
Rietvallei John B Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R80pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Steenberg Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2023
R166pb ex-cellar, Tokai-Constantia Wine Route
Vrede en Lust Artisan Blanc Fumé 2021 (wooded)
R350pb ex-cellar, Simondium-Paarl; WO Elgin
ALSO FINALISTS
Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2025
R145pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024
R150pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Eikendal Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R195pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Groot Phesantekraal Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R110pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Groote Post Seasalter Sauvignon Blanc 2024
R199pb ex-cellar, Darling
Groote Post Seasalter Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R199pb ex-cellar, Darling
KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2023
R109pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Langverwacht Sauvignon Blanc 2025
R68pb ex-cellar, Bonnievale
Paardenkloof Springtide Sauvignon Blanc 2024
R160pb ex-cellar, Bot River
Tokara Reserve Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2024
R180pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
