THE WINEMAG panels don't score many wines 95+, let alone ones that sell for less than R200 a bottle… Of the 45 wines assessed for the 2026 Winemag Pinotage Report, the highest score of 95 points was awarded for three wines in the competition, with two of them, the Cape Discovery 2024 from Stellenview in Stellenbosch's Devon Valley and the 2025 vintage from Diemersdal in Durbanville, positioned at R90pb and R140pb ex-cellar respectively… And of the 55 wines reviewed for the 2026 Winemag Signature Red Blend Report, one of the two top scorers was the humble Nederburg Baronne, the 2024 vintage rated 95/100 and selling for R105pb at the cellar.
What a month it's been for Diemersdal, so successful at the 2026 Trophy Wine Show, where numerous accolades included that for South Africa's Champion Winemaker of the Year, and then named Best Overall in Winemag's annual Pinotage Report – not for their Reserve or the Journal expressions, but for the most affordable version in their range of wines made using this grape variety. Moreover, unlike many great bargain buys sold out within weeks if not days of their good reviews, this winning Pinotage was judged pre-release and is only due to become readily available in August 2026.