THE ANNUAL Decanter World Wine Awards: the biggest wine competition on the planet, held in London. In 2025, well over 16 000 entries from 57 countries evaluated by 248 judges from 35 countries including 22 Master Sommeliers and 72 Masters of Wine, scoring according to a 100-point scale. The five co-chairs: Master of Wine Sarah Jane Evans and Master Sommelier Ronan Sayburn, both of the UK, wine writer Andrew Jefford, based in France, Michael Hill Smith MW of Australia and wine buyer Beth Willard, based in Spain. South African judges included wine writer Fiona McDonald (one of the 36 regional chairs), Cathy van Zyl MW and sommelier Higgo Jacobs (two of the 47 senior judges).
There were 732 gold medallists (95/96 points) including 45 from South Africa (see below), the country’s biggest haul since the awards were first presented 22 years ago, and 137 platinum medallists (97 points) including three South Africans – the 2022 Batrachella Pinotage from Hasher Family Estate in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde outside Hermanus, the 2020 Grand Constance Natural Sweet from Groot Constantia and the 2022 Patriarch Cabernet Franc from Backsberg of DGB in Franschhoek.
Best on Show? 50 wines also scored 97 but judged better than platinum, including 14 from France, 6 from Italy, 5 from Spain, 4 from Australia, 5 from Portugal and one from South Africa, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Knorhoek at the foot of the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch, just up the road from Quoin Rock, around the corner from Muratie and Delheim. Among Decanter’s tasting notes: “Opaque dark black-red, with perfectly calibrated oak-aged fruit… Ripe but not overly so, with ample inner freshness… Cries out for fine cooking and polished glasswear…”
Yet Knorhoek is one of the more casual destinations in the Cape winelands – none of the finery associated with the Quoin Rock estate, also owned by the Gaiduk family. Same winemaking team though, specialising here in Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and gin, with snacks, pizzas, burgers, wraps as well as fudge and savoury pairings among the wine-tasting options served indoors or out.
• Knorhoek's achievement with their 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon at the Decanter Awards (UK) followed two other remarkable wins for a couple of other top Stellenbosch Cabs weeks earlier – Boschendal Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 judged best in class at the Trophy Wine Show (SA), and Le Grand's Vin de Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 awarded a varietal trophy at the International Wine Challenge (UK).
Top SA White Wines on Show
CHARDONNAY
95 Backsberg Smuggled Vines Chardonnay 2024
R190pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
96 De Grendel Op die Berg Chardonnay 2024
R350pb ex-cellar, Panorama-Durbanville
95 Kershaw Clonal Selection Chardonnay 2021
R760pb ex-cellar, Elgin
95 Quoin Rock Chardonnay 2022
R550pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
96 Thamnus Chardonnay 2022
R500pb ex-producer, Hemel-en-Aarde
CHENIN BLANC
95 Donkiesbaai Steen 2024
R370pb ex-Guardian Peak cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
95 Endura Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2023
R300pb ex-Perdeberg, Windmeul-Paarl
95 Ken Forrester FMC 2024
R925pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Franschhoek
95 Nederburg Heritage Heroes Anchorman Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024
R226pb ex-cellar, Paarl
96 Simonsig Langbult Steen Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024
R255pb ex-cellar, Koelenhof-Stellenbosch
95 Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2022
R340pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
95 Survivor Chenin Blanc Reserve 2022
R350pb ex-Van Loveren, Robertson
SAUVIGNON BLANC
95 Paul Clüver Sauvignon Blanc 2024
R120pb ex-cellar, Elgin
95 Rustenberg Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2024
R150pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
95 Tokara Reserve Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2024
R180pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
WHITE BLENDS
95 Bellingham Freda 2021
R460pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
96 Durbanville Hills Tangram White 2023
R270pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
95 Stark-Condé Field Blend 2024
R285pb ex-cellar, Jonkershoek-Stellenbosch
Top SA Sparkling Wines on Show
CAP CLASSIQUE
96 Christiena Trousseau Brut NV
R215pb ex-Van Loveren cellar, Robertson
95 Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2019
R420pb ex-cellar, Robertson
95 Grand Vin de Stellenbosch Pinot Noir Rose Brut 2022
R300pb ex-Le Grande Domaine, Devon Valley-Stellenbosch
Top SA Red Wines on Show
CABERNET FRANC
95 Backsberg Patriarch Cabernet Franc 2021
R248pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
97 Backsberg Patriarch Cabernet Franc 2022
R248pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
95 Hasher Cyriel Cabernet Franc 2022
R595pb ex-cellar, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
95 Bartinney Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
R765pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenhbosch
95 Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
R850pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
95 Circumstance Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
R270pb ex-Waterkloof cellar, Sir Lowry's Pass-Somerset West
97 Knorhoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
R325pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
96 Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
R470pb ex-cellar, Paarl
95 Tokara Simonsberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
R1850pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
MERLOT
95 Groot Constantia Merlot 2022
R325pb ex-cellar, Constantia
PINOTAGE
95 Bruce Jack Flag of Truth Pinotage 2022
R573pb ex-cellar, Napier
96 Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve Pinotage 2023
R165pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
97 Hasher Batrachella Pinotage 2022
R595pb ex-cellar, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde
96 Survivor Pinotage Reserve 2022
R465pb ex-Van Loveren, Robertson
SHIRAZ / SYRAH
95 Hartenberg Shiraz 2021
R295pb ex-cellar, Bottelary-Stellenbosch
95 Tamboerskloof Syrah 2021
R310pb ex-Kleinood cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
RED BLENDS
95 Alto Estate Blend 2022
R450pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
96 Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2022
R775pb ex-cellar, (Red Blend) 96/100 775
95 De Grendel Rubaiyat 2020
R475pb ex-cellar, Panorama-Durbanville
95 Endura Winemaker's Selection Cape Blend 2021
R350pb ex-Perdeberg cellar, Windmeul-Stellenbosch
96 Ernie Els Proprietor's Blend 2022
R350pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
95 Grand Vin de Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022
R325pb ex-Le Grand, Devon Valley-Stellenbosch
95 Quoin Rock Red Blend 2019
R750pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
96 Rust en Vrede Estate 2021
R650pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Top SA Dessert Wines on Show
FORTIFIED
95 Alvi's Drift Reserve Muscat Nectarinia 2017
R220pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Scherpenheuwel-Worcester
UNFORTIFIED
95 Boschendal Vin D'Or Noble Late Harvest 2022
R600pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Franschhoek
97 Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2020 (Natural Sweet)
R1010pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Constantia
95 Perdeberg Dry Land Natural Sweet Chenin Blanc 2022
R220pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Windmeul-Paarl