FOR their 2026 ‘Autumn Series' of panel tasting reports, Winemag.co.za assessed around 200 South African wines including Chenin Blancs and Cape White Blends (comprising between 15% and 85% Chenin), Shiraz, and what they refer to as ‘minority' or ‘alternative' varieties – whites such as Bukettraube, Grenache Blanc, Palomino, Riesling, Roussanne, Semillon, Verdelho, Vermentino and Viognier, reds such as Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Cinsault, Durif/Petite Sirah, Grenache Noir, Malbec, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Touriga Naçional. See below for the top-rated wines in the three reports, with the most highly rated and category winners highlighted in RED. For the full reports, click here.
Leeuwenkuil emerged as the series champion, with the 97 points awarded to the Heritage Syrah 2022 in line with expectations after being the most highly rated red in the 2026 edition of Platter's SA Wine Guide – WO Swartland, cellar in Paarl, one of the country's best wines. Sadly however, of the 50 Chenins, one of the Cape's strong suits, none were regarded by the panel to be worthy of more than 94 on their 100-point scale – including the Donkiesbaai Steen 2025 (Piekenierskloof grapes, Stellenbosch cellar) that was scored 96/100 in Winemag's Old Vine Report some five months earlier yet 93 this time round.
TOP-RATED SHIRAZ
Christina Syrah 2023 – 93/100
R309pb ex-Van Loveren cellar, Robertson
Groot Phesantekraal Syrah 2024 – 93/100
R195pb ex-cellar, Durbanville
Hazendal Syrah 2025 – 93/100
R139pb ex-cellar, Bottelary-Stellenbosch
Joostenberg Klippe Kou Syrah 2022 – 94/100
R245pb ex-cellar, Paarl
La Motte Reserve Syrah 2024 – 93/100
R229pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Leeuwenkuil Heritage Syrah 2022 – 97/100
R510pb ex-cellar, Windmeul-Paarl
Leeuwenkuil Reserve Red 2023 – 93/100
Shiraz, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon
R169pb ex-cellar, Windmeul-Stellenbosch
Zandvliet Shiraz 2024 – 94/100
R160pb ex-cellar, Ashton
Zevenwacht Z Syrah 2024 – 95/100
R399pb ex-cellar, Kuils River-Stellenbosch
TOP-RATED CHENIN BLANC
Arbeidsgenot Kleinbegin 2025 – 94/100
R295pb ex-producer, Riebeek Kasteel-Swartland
Cavalli Reserve Chenin Blanc 2025 – 93/100
R255pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Donkiesbaai Steen 2025 – 93/100
R390pb ex-Guardian Peak cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Ernie Els Proprietor's Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2025 – 93/100
R350pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Knorhoek Chenin Blanc 2025 – 93/100
R245pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Le Sueur Chenin Blanc 2025 – 93/100
R150pb ex-cellar, Herbertsdale-Garden Route
Le Sueur Kluisenaaar 2025 – 94/100
R219pb ex-cellar, Herbertsdale-Garden Route
Welbedacht Skoolblok Steen 2025 – 93/100
R160pb ex-cellar, Wellington
TOP-RATED ‘CAPE WHITE BLENDS'
Bosman Adama 2025 – 93/100
Chenin Blanc, Viura, Vermentino, Grenache Blanc, Viognier
R229pb ex-cellar, Wellington
Cavalli Reserve White 2025 – 95/100
Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Chardonnay
R310pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Coterie Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc 2025 – 94/100
R225pb ex-Wildeberg cellar, Franschhoek
JAN 2025 – 94/100
Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Semillon, Roussanne
R199pb ex-Zevenwacht cellar, Kuils River-Stellenbosch
TOP-RATED ‘MINORITY' VARIETIES
Cirrus Pinot Noir 2024 – 93/100
R400pb ex-Guardian Peak cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Flagstone Bugler's Call Grenache Noir 2024 – 93/100
R175pb ex-cellar, Somerset West / Strand
Hazendal White Blend 2025 (Roussanne, Marsanne) – 94/100
R395pb ex-cellar, Bottelary-Stellenbosch
Hazendal Carignan 2025 – 94/100
R995pb (1.5L) ex-cellar, Bottelary-Stellenbosch
Perdeberg Vineyard Collection Grenache Noir 2024 – 94/100
R131pb ex-cellar, Windmeul-Paarl
Wildeberg Terroirs Cinsault 2025 – 93/100
R329pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Wildeberg White 2023 (Semillon) – 94/100
R458pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek