THE TOP Chardonnay from South Africa as rated 96+ locally or internationally in 2025 by one or more of the respected panels tasting ‘blind', i.e. labels out of sight – excluding wines made specifically for sale on auction, export-only wines and museum-class wines. For details of the ratings and for all South African wines rated 93+ during the past year, click here. Wines highlighted in red are included in the 2025 SA Wine Classification on the basis of consistently good panel-ratings spanning numerous vintages during the past 10 years.
Almenkerk 2023
R310pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Atlas Swift Robertson 2024
R450pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Clüver Prieur Colline du Matin 2019
R1200pb ex-Paul Cluver cellar, Elgin
Crystallum Clay Shales 2024
R825pb ex-producer, Bot River
De Grendel Op die Berg 2024
R350pb ex-cellar, Panorama-Durbanville WR
Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek 2023 & 2024
R465pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
DeMorgenzon Reserve 2022
R490pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof
Groot Constantia 2024
R285pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Iona Kloof 2023
R825pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Journey's End Destination 2024
R440pb ex-cellar, Sir Lowry's Pass Road-Somerset West
Kershaw Clonal Selection 2020
R725pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2024
R299pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Leeu Passant Radicales Libres 2019
R915pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Lismore Estate Reserve 2022
R650pb ex-cellar, Greyton-Overberg
Neil Ellis Whitehall 2022 & 2023
R360pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte Pass-Stellenbosch
Rustenberg Five Soldiers 2023
R550pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Survivor 2022
R250pb ex-Landskroon cellar, Paarl
Thamnus 2022
R500pb ex-producer, Overberg
Tokara Reserve Stellenbosch 2024
R295pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte Pass-Stellenbosch
Whalehaven Seascape Reserve 2023 & 2024
R540pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Village, Hermanus
• Most highly rated Cap Classique sparkling in 2025
• Most highly rated SA Cabernet Sauvignon in 2025
• Most highly rated SA Chenin Blanc in 2025
• Most highly rated Pinotage in 2025
• Most highly rated SA Sauvignon Blanc in 2025
• Most highly rated SA Shiraz/Syrah in 2025
