SOUTH AFRICA'S Delaire Graff, Graham Beck, Nederburg, Tokara, Zevenwacht… In the spotlight yet again with six wines in particular following the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition based in London – including some pricey stuff if you're earning and paying in SA rand:
• Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2023 – scored 97/100 at IWSC following best in class and top-scoring white at the Trophy Wine Show
• Delaire Graff Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – scored 96/100 at IWSC following a gold medal at the Global Wine Masters
• Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2019 (Cap Classique Sparkling) – scored 97/100 at IWSC following best in class at the National Wine Challenge
• Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – scored 95/100 at IWSC following 96 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards
• Tokara Reserve Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – scored 95/100 at IWSC following 95 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards
• Zevenwacht Z Chenin Blanc 2024 – scored 95 at IWSC following best in class at the Trophy Wine Show
For all the top-scoring SA wines at IWSC 2025, see below. For the full results, click here – one of the biggest wine competitions in the world, dating back to 1969, these days with many of the wines reviewed in the countries of origin and involving both local as well international judges.
SA Gold Medallists – White Wines
CHARDONNAY
97 – Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2023
R465pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
95 – La Vierge Estate Chardonnay 2023
R500pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde
96 – Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2023
R550pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
95 – Shannon Oscar Browne Chardonnay 2023
R395pb ex-producer, Elgin
95 – Thelema Chardonnay 2023
R270pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch 95/100 270
CHENIN BLANC
95 – Cederberg Five Generations Chenin Blanc 2024
R395pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
96 – Du Toitskloof Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024
R195pb ex-DTK cellar, Rawsonville-Breedekloof
95 – Zevenwacht Z Chenin Blanc 2024
R315pb ex-cellar, Kuils River-Stellenbosch
SAUVIGNON BLANC
95 – Tokara Reserve Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2024
R180pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
VIOGNIER
95 – Beau Constantia Cecily 2024
R400pb ex-cellar, Constantia Nek
SA Gold Medallists – Sparkling
CAP CLASSIQUE
96 – Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2019
R357pb ex-cellar, Robertson
97 – Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2019
R1340pb ex-cellar, Robertson
96 – Simonsig Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blancs 2020
R650pb ex-cellar, Koelenhof-Stellenbosch
95 – Windfall Mendola Blanc de Blanc 2017
R340pb ex-cellar, Robertson
SA Gold Medallists – Red Wines
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
96 – Delaire Graff Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2021
R1320pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
96 – Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Museum Class, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch cellar
95 – Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
R470pb ex-cellar, Paarl
95 – Warwick Blue Lady 2021
R600pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
PINOTAGE
96 – Kanonkop Pinotage 2009
Museum Class, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch cellar
95 – Kanonkop Pinotage 2022
R570pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
SHIRAZ / SYRAH
96 – Lomond Conebush Syrah 2021
R260pb ex-cellar, Gansbaai-Agulhas Triangle
95 – Zandvliet Shiraz 2023
R160pb ex-cellar, Robertson
RED BLEND
95 – Boschendal Nicolas 2021
R220pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
SA Gold Medallist – Sweet Wine
NOBLE LATE HARVEST
95 – Constantia Uitsig Gravitas 2020
R950pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Constantia
