Top Ratings - SA WINE Classification
SA WINE Classification
South Africa's top wines and cellars over the past five years; producers with the best track records in terms of consistently good reviews in WINE magazine's panel tastings as reported during the period under review. Very good to excellent, top-class bottlings in respect of at least three releases (different vintages), with the most consistently good performers highlighted in bold.
For the system used to determine the annual SA WINE Classification, click here.
2008 - July 2003 to June 2008
BEST CABERNET FRANC
1. Raats
BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON
1. Thelema
2. Rustenberg Peter Barlow
3. Blue Creek
3. Boekenhoutskloof
5. De Trafford
6. Cederberg
6. Jordan
6. Mount Rozier
9. Boland Reserve No 1
10. Vergelegen
11. Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection
12. Nederburg Private Bin
13. La Cave
13. Spier Private Collection
15. Bon Courage Inkára
16. Flagstone Music Room
16. Post House
16. Stark-Condé Twin Peak Jonkershoek
19. Stony Brook Ghost Gum
20. Graceland
20. Kanonkop
20 Longridge
BEST MERLOT
1. Thelema Reserve
2. Steenberg
3. Laibach
4. Post House
5. Hartenberg
6. Longridge
7. Saxenburg Private Collection
7. Spier Private Collection
9. Lanzerac
10. Plaisir de Merle
BEST PINOT NOIR
1. Hamilton Russell
2. Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak
3. Chamonix
4. Muratie
4. Sumaridge
BEST PINOTAGE
1. Simonsig Redhill
2. Kanonkop
3. Laroche L'Avenir
3. Môreson
5. Southern Right
6. Allée Bleue
6. Diemersfontein Carpe Diem
8. Groot Constantia
8. Morkel
10. Beyerskloof Reserve
10. Rijk's
10. Tukulu
BEST SHIRAZ / SYRAH
1. Boekenhoutskloof
2. Avondale
3. Fairview Solitude
3. Kleine Zalze Family Reserve
3. Stellenzicht
6. Cederberg
7. Porcupine Ridge
7. Thelema
9. Saxenburg Private Collection
10. Simonsig Merindol
11. Glen Carlou
11. La Motte
11. Manley
11. Raka Biography
11. Stellenzicht Golden Triangle
16. Boschrivier
16. Steenberg
18. Groote Post
18. Hartenberg
20. Bon Courage
20. Diemersfontein Carpe Diem
20. Rijk's
23. Bon Courage Inkára
23. Cirrus
25. Rust en Vrede
25. Spice Route Flagship
27. Ridgeback
28. Graceland
29. De Trafford
30. Alto
30. Culraithin
30. Dispore Kamma
30. Graham Beck The Ridge
30. Kevin Arnold
30. Luddite
30. Vins d'Orrance
37. Bellingham The Maverick
37. Boschendal Reserve
37. Quoin Rock
BEST RED BLENDS
1. Ernie Els
2. Rustenberg John X Merriman
3. Jordan Cobblers Hill
3. Simonsig Frans Malan
5. De Toren Fusion V
5. Rust en Vrede Estate
7. Guardian Peak SMG
8. Eikendal Classique
8. Kaapzicht Steytler Vision
8. Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmond
8. Sadie Columella
12. Glen Carlou Grand Classique
13. Kanonkop Paul Sauer
14. Morgenster
14. Vergelegen Red
16. Morgenhof Premiere Selection
17. Tokara Red
18. Capaia
19. De Trafford Elevation 393
19. Raka Quinary
19. Simonsig Tiara
19. Spier Vintage Selection Shiraz Mourvèdre Viognier
23. Buitenverwachting Christine
23. Overgaauw Tria Corda
25. Hartenberg The Mackenzie
26. Chamonix Troika
26. Kumkani Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon
26. Vergenoegd Estate
26. Zonnebloem Laureat
30. Goat-Roti
30. Meinert Synchronicity
30. Neethlingshof Lord Neethling Laurentius
BEST CHARDONNAY
1. Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented
2. Hamilton Russell
3. Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
4. Jordan Nine Yards
5. Eikendal
6. Glen Carlou Quartz Stone
6. Rijk's
8. GlenWood Vigneron's Selection
9. Rustenberg Five Soldiers
10. Longridge
10. Radford Dale
10. Rupert & Rothschild Baroness Nadine
10. Rustenberg Stellenbosch
14. Chamonix
14. Lanzerac
16. Avontuur Luna de Miel
17. KWV Cathedral Cellar
BEST CHENIN BLANC
1. The FMC Forrester Meinert
2. Bellingham The Maverick
3. Rudera Robusto
4. Kanu Wooded
5. Ken Forrester
5. Tokara Zondernaam
7. Kleine Zalze Barrel Fermented
8. Spier Private Collection
9. Fleur du Cap
9. Mulderbosch Steen op Hout
9. Rijk's Barrel Fermented
12. Jean Daneel Signature
13. Hazendal
14. Villiera Cellar Door
15. Fortress Hill
15. Simonsig Avec Chêne
17. Spice Route
BEST RIESLING
1. Nederburg Rhine
BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC
1. Steenberg Reserve
2. Bloemendal Suider Terras
2. Cape Point
4. Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
5. Springfield Life from Stone
6. Springfield Special Cuvée
7. Cederberg
7. Graham Beck Pheasant's Run
9. Vergelegen Reserve
10. Iona
11. Bon Courage
12. Fleur du Cap
12. Fryer's Cove
12. Kumkani Lanner Hill
12. Laroche L'Avenir
12. Spier Private Collection
12. Steenberg
12. Tokara Zondernaam
19. Alexanderfontein
19. Kleine Zalze Family Reserve
19. Mooiplaas
19. Sterhuis
23. Saxenburg Private Collection
24. Nitida
24. Spice Route
24. Tokara Walker Bay
BEST SEMILLON
1. Steenberg
2. Cape Point
3. Rijk's
4. Fairview Oom Pagel
5. Constantia Uitsig Reserve
5. Stony Brook
7. Landau du Val
BEST WHITE BLENDS
1. Vergelegen White
2. Sadie Palladius
3. Cape Point Isliedh
4. Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
5. Constantia Uitsig Constantia White
5. Klein Constantia Mme Marlbrook
7. Tokara White
8. Jordan Chameleon
BEST SPARKLING CAP CLASSIQUE
1. Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs
2. Jacques Bruère Brut Reserve
3. Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut
3. Villiera Monro Brut
5. Desiderius Pongrácz
6. Graham Beck Brut
7. Graham Beck Brut Rosé
8. JC le Roux Scintilla
8. Pongrácz
8. Weltevrede Philip Jonker Brut
11. Woolworths Villiera Brut Rosé
12. Jacques Bruère Brut Reserve Blanc de Blancs
12. Villiera Tradition Brut Rosé
BEST UNFORTIFIED DESSERT
1. De Trafford Straw Wine
2. Klein Constantia Vin de Constance
3. Nederburg Edelkeur
4. Joostenberg Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest
5. Hazendal The Last Straw
5. T Noble Late Harvest
7. Simonsig Vin de Liza
8. Neethlingshof Lord Neethling Weisser Riesling Noble Late Harvest
9. Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest
9. Rudera Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest
BEST FORTIFIED DESSERT
1. Du Toitskloof Hanepoot Jerepigo
2. Boland White Muscadel
2. Nuy White Muscadel
BEST PORT-STYLE FORTIFIED
1. Boplaas Vintage Reserve
1. De Krans Vintage Reserve
3. Boplaas Vintage
4. De Krans Tawny
5. Boplaas Tawny
5. Boplaas Vintner's Vintage Reserve
5. Boplaas Reserve Cape Tawny
8. Axe Hill Vintage
9. Bredell's Vintage
BEST RED WINE CELLARS
Avondale Vineyards
Blue Creek Wines
Boekenhoutskloof
Boland Cellar
Bon Courage Estate
Bouchard Finlayson
Cederberg Private Cellar
De Toren Private Cellar
De Trafford Wines
Diemersfontein
Eikendal Vineyards
Ernie Els Wines
Fairview
Glen Carlou Vineyards
Guardian Peak
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hartenberg Estate
Jordan Winery
Kaapzicht Estate
Kanonkop Estate
Kleine Zalze
L'Avenir Vineyards
La Motte
Laibach Vineyards
Manley Private Cellar
Môreson
Morgenhof Estate
Morgenster Estate
Mount Rozier Estate
Post House Vineyards
Raats Family Wines
Raka
Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons
Rust en Vrede Estate
Rustenberg Wines
The Sadie Family
Saxenburg
Simonsig Estate
Southern Right
Spier Wines
Steenberg Vineyards
Stellenzicht Vineyards
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Tokara
Vergelegen
BEST WHITE WINE CELLARS
The Bergkelder / Fleur du Cap
Bloemendal Estate
Cape Point Vineyards
Cederberg Private Cellar
Constantia Uitsig
DGB / Bellingham
Eikendal Vineyards
Glen Carlou Vineyards
GlenWood Vineyards
Graham Beck Wines
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Iona Vineyards
Jean Daneel Wines
Jordan Winery
Kanu Wines
Ken Forrester Wines
Klein Constantia Estate
Kleine Zalze
Mulderbosch Vineyards
Rijk's Private Cellar
Rudera Wines
Rustenberg Wines
The Sadie Family
Spier Wines
Springfield Estate
Steenberg Vineyards
Tokara
Vergelegen
BEST CELLARS OVERALL
UNFORTIFIED WINES
Avondale Vineyards
The Bergkelder / Fleur du Cap (Top 10)
Bloemendal Estate
Blue Creek Wines
Boekenhoutskloof (Top 10)
Bon Courage Estate
Cape Point Vineyards
Cederberg Private Cellar
De Toren Private Cellar
De Trafford Wines (Top 10)
DGB / Bellingham (Top 10)
Eikendal Vineyards
Ernie Els Wines
Fairview
Glen Carlou Vineyards
Graham Beck Wines
Guardian Peak
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
JC le Roux
Jordan Winery
Kaapzicht Estate
Kanonkop Estate
Kanu Wines
Ken Forrester Wines (Top 10)
Klein Constantia Estate
Kleine Zalze
L'Avenir Vineyards
Mulderbosch Vineyards
Nederburg Wines
Rijk's Private Cellar
Rudera Wines
Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons
Rust en Vrede Estate
Rustenberg Wines (Top 10)
The Sadie Family
Saxenburg
Simonsig Estate (Top 10)
Spier Wines
Springfield Estate
Steenberg Vineyards (Top 10)
Stellenzicht Vineyards
Thelema Mountain Vineyards (Top 10)
Tokara
Vergelegen (Top 10)
Villiera Wines
2007 - July 2002 to June 2007
BEST CABERNET FRANC
1. Raats
2. Neethlingshof Lord Neethling
BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON
1. Rustenberg Peter Barlow
2. De Trafford
2. Thelema
4. Blue Creek
4. Boekenhoutskloof
6. Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection
7. Jordan
8. Boland Reserve No 1
8. Cederberg
8. Post House
8. Flagstone Music Room
12. Nederburg Private Bin
13. Boschendal
13. Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
13. La Cave
13. Mount Rozier
13. Spier Private Collection
18. Bon Courage Inkára
18. Graceland
18. Vergelegen
21. Overgaauw
21. Waterford
23. Culraithin
23. Longridge
23. Neil Ellis
23. Rudera
BEST MERLOT
1. Thelema Reserve
2. Laibach
3. Steenberg
4. Spier Private Collection
4. Hartenberg
4. Post House
7. De Trafford
7. Lanzerac
7. Longridge
10. Yonder Hill
11. Anura
BEST PINOT NOIR
1. Hamilton Russell
2. Bouchard Finlayson
2. Chamonix
4. Muratie
4. Sumaridge
BEST PINOTAGE
1. Kanonkop
1. Môreson
1. Simonsig Redhill
4. L'Avenir
5. Diemersfontein Carpe Diem
5. Rijk's
7. Allée Bleue
7. DeWaal Top of the Hill
7. Fairview Primo
7. Groot Constantia
7. Morkel
7. Tukulu
13. Beyerskloof Reserve
13. Southern Right
15. Spice Route
16. Delheim
BEST SHIRAZ / SYRAH
1. Boekenhoutskloof
2. Cederberg
3. Groote Post
3. Avondale
3. Fairview Solitude
6. Stellenzicht
7. La Motte
8. De Trafford
9. Ridgeback
9. Saxenburg Private Collection
11. Hartenberg
11. Kevin Arnold
11. Simonsig Merindol
11. Raka Biography
11. Spice Route Flagship
16. Bon Courage
16. Rijk's
16. Thelema
19. Boschrivier
19. Anura Reserve
19. Glen Carlou
19. Manley
19. Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection
19. Stellenzicht Golden Triangle
25. Graceland
26. Boekenhoutskloof Porcupine Ridge
26. Bonfoi
26. Culraithin
26. Luddite
30. Bellingham The Maverick
30. Boschendal Reserve
30. Plaisir de Merle
30. Steenberg
BEST RED BLENDS
1. Ernie Els
1. Rust en Vrede Estate
3. Jordan Cobblers Hill
4. Glen Carlou Grand Classique
4. Simonsig Frans Malan
6. De Toren Fusion V
7. Rustenberg John X Merriman
7. Kaapzicht Steytler Vision
9. Vergelegen
10. Beyerskloof
10. Sadie Columella
10. Eikendal Classique
10. Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmond
14. Kanonkop Paul Sauer
15. Cordoba Crescendo
15. Kanu Keystone
15. Morgenhof Premiere Selection
15. Goat-Roti
19. Kumkani Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon
19. Mas Nicolas
19. Capaia
22. Veenwouden Classic
23. De Trafford Elevation 393
23. Guardian Peak SMG
23. Raka Quinary
26. Overgaauw Tria Corda
27. Vergenoegd Estate
28. Buitenverwachting Christine
28. Diversity
28. Morgenster
28. Muratie Ansela van de Caab
28. Neethlingshof Lord Neethling Laurentius
BEST CHARDONNAY
1. Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented
2. Hamilton Russell
3. Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
4. Jordan Nine Yards
5. Glen Carlou Quartz Stone
5. Longridge
7. Buitenverwachting
7. Chamonix
9. Rustenberg Five Soldiers
10. Avontuur Luna de Miel
10. Eikendal
10. GlenWood Vigneron's Selection
10. Rijk's
10. Rupert & Rothschild Baroness Nadine
10. Rustenberg Stellenbosch
10. Warwick
17. Glen Carlou
17. Groote Post
19. Radford Dale
19. Vergelegen
21. Lanzerac
BEST CHENIN BLANC
1. The FMC Forrester Meinert
2. Rudera Robusto
3. Ken Forrester
3. Zondernaam
5. Kanu Wooded
6. Bellingham The Maverick
6. Spier Private Collection
8. Jean Daneel
9. Fleur du Cap
9. Kleine Zalze Barrel Fermented
9. Mulderbosch Steen op Hout
12. Hazendal Wooded
12. Rijk's Barrel Fermented
14. Villiera Cellar Door
15. Spice Route
BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC
1. Steenberg Reserve
2. Bloemendal Suider Terras
2. Vergelegen Reserve
4. Cape Point
4. Springfield Life from Stone
4. Springfield Special Cuvée
4. Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
8. Cederberg
8. Fryer's Cove
10. Bon Courage
10. Neil Ellis Groenekloof
12. Fleur du Cap
12. Iona
12. Kumkani Lanner Hill
12. Steenberg
16. Graham Beck Pheasant's Run
16 Mooiplaas
16. Sterhuis
19. Zondernaam
20. Flagstone Free Run
20. Spier Private Collection
BEST SEMILLON
1. Steenberg
2. Fairview Oom Pagel
2. Cape Point
4. Jack & Knox
5. Rijk's
6. Stellenzicht Reserve
6. Stony Brook
8. Constantia Uitsig Reserve
BEST WHITE BLENDS
1. Vergelegen
2. Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
3. Sadie Palladius
BEST SPARKLING CAP CLASSIQUE
1. Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut
2. Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs
3. Desiderius Pongrácz
4. Graham Beck Brut
4. Villiera Monro
4. Jacques Bruère Brut Reserve
7. Woolworths Villiera Brut Rosé
8. Pongrácz
9. Môreson Soleil du Matin Brut
9. JC le Roux Chardonnay
11. JC le Roux Pinot Noir
11. Villiera Tradition Brut Rosé
BEST UNFORTIFIED DESSERT
1. Klein Constantia Vin de Constance
2. De Trafford Straw Wine
3. Nederburg Edelkeur
4. Joostenberg Noble Late Harvest
4. Simonsig Vin de Liza
6. T Noble Late Harvest
7. Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest
8. Slanghoek Noble Late Harvest
9. Neethlingshof Lord Neethling Weisser Riesling Noble Late Harvest
10. Nederburg Eminence
BEST FORTIFIED DESSERT
1. Rietvallei Red Muscadel
2. Du Toitskloof Hanepoot Jerepigo
2. Nuy White Muscadel
BEST PORT-STYLE FORTIFIED
1. Boplaas Vintage Reserve
2. Boplaas Vintage
3. Bredell's Vintage/Reserve
3. De Krans Vintage Reserve
5. De Krans Tawny
6. Axe Hill Vintage
6. Boplaas Vineyard Selection Reserve Vintage Reserve
8. Boplaas Tawny
8. Landskroon
10. Monis Very Old Tawny
11. Beaumont Vintage
BEST RED WINE CELLARS
Avondale Wines
Beyerskloof
Blue Creek Wines
Boekenhoutskloof
Boland Cellar
Cederberg Private Cellar
Cordoba Winery
De Toren Private Cellar
De Trafford Wines
Eikendal Vineyards
Ernie Els Wines
Fairview
Flagstone Winery
Glen Carlou Vineyards
Groote Post Vineyards
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hartenberg Estate
Jordan Winery
Kaapzicht Estate
Kanonkop Estate
Kanu Wines
L'Avenir Vineyards
La Motte
Laibach Vineyards
Môreson
Morgenhof Estate
Neil Ellis Wines
Post House Vineyards
Raats Family Wines
Raka
Ridgeback Wines
Rijk's Private Cellar
Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons
Rustenberg Wines
Rust en Vrede Estate
The Sadie Family
Saxenburg
Simonsig Estate
The Spice Route Winery
Spier Wines
Steenberg Vineyards
Stellenzicht Vineyards
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Vergelegen
Waterford Estate
BEST WHITE WINE CELLARS
The Bergkelder / Fleur du Cap
Bloemendal Estate
Buitenverwachting
Cape Chamonix
Cape Point Vineyards
Cederberg Private Cellar
DGB / Bellingham
Fairview
Flagstone Winery
Fryer's Cove Vineyards
Glen Carlou Vineyards
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Jean Daneel Wines
Jordan Winery
Kanu Vineyards
Ken Forrester Wines
Kleine Zalze
Longridge Winery
Mulderbosch Vineyards
Rijk's Private Cellar
Rudera Wines
Rustenberg Wines
Spier Wines
Springfield Estate
Steenberg Vineyards
Tokara
Vergelegen
BEST CELLARS OVERALL
STILL, UNFORTIFIED, NON-DESSERT WINES
Avondale Vineyards
The Bergkelder / Fleur du Cap
Beyerskloof
Bloemendal Estate
Blue Creek Wines
Boekenhoutskloof
Cape Point Vineyards
Cederberg Private Cellar
De Toren Private Cellar
De Trafford Wines
DGB / Bellingham
Eikendal Vineyards
Ernie Els Wines
Fairview
Glen Carlou Vineyards
Groote Post Vineyards
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Jordan Winery
Kaapzicht Estate
Kanonkop Estate
Kanu Wines
Ken Forrester Wines
La Motte
Longridge Winery
Môreson
Mulderbosch Vineyards
Neil Ellis Wines
Rijk's Private Cellar
Rudera Wines
Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons
Rust en Vrede Estate
Rustenberg Wines
Sadie Family
Simonsig Estate
Spier Wines
Springfield Estate
Steenberg Vineyards
Stellenzicht Vineyards
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Tokara
Vergelegen
2006 - July 2001 to June 2006
BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON
1. Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection
1. Rustenberg Peter Barlow
3. Boekenhoutskloof
3. Thelema
5. De Trafford
6. Blue Creek
7. Cederberg
7. Graceland
7. Jordan
10. Flagstone The Music Room
11. Boschendal Reserve
11. Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
13. Post House
14. Steenberg
15. Devon Hill
15. Graham Beck The Coffeestone
15. La Cave
15. Spier Private Collection
15. Stark
15. Vergelegen
21. Delheim
21. Longridge
BEST MERLOT
1. Thelema Reserve
2. Spier Private Collection
3. De Trafford
4. Hartenberg
4. Post House
4. Steenberg
4. Vergenoegd
8. Lanzerac
9. Yonder Hill
10. Longridge
BEST PINOT NOIR
1. Hamilton Russell
2. Sumaridge
3. Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Tête de Cuvée
3. Chamonix
BEST PINOTAGE
1. Môreson
2. Kanonkop
3. Simonsig Redhill
4. L'Avenir
5. Diemersfontein Carpe Diem
6. DeWaal Top of the Hill
6. Fairview Primo
6. Morkel
6. Tukulu
10. Beyerskloof Reserve
11. Cederberg
11. Kaapzicht Steytler
11. Pinehurst
15. Spice Route
16. Avontuur
17. Sentinel
18. Delheim
18. Morgenhof
18. Southern Right
BEST SHIRAZ / SYRAH
1. Boekenhoutskloof
2. Cederberg
3. Bon Courage
3. Stellenzicht Syrah
5. De Trafford
6. Hartenberg
6. Kevin Arnold
8. Glen Carlou
8. Stellenzicht Golden Triangle
10. Avondale
10. Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection
10. Rijk's
13. Groote Post
13. Simonsig Merindol
15. Diemersfontein
15. Spice Route Flagship
17. Culraithin
17. Viljoensdrift River Grandeur
19. Ridgeback
19. Thelema
21. Saxenburg Private Collection
22. Anura Reserve
22. La Motte
22. Steenberg
25. Delheim Vera Cruz
25. Graham Beck The Ridge
27. Graceland
28. Bonfoi
28. Fairview Solitude
30. Plaisir de Merle
30. Rust en Vrede
BEST RED BLENDS
1. De Toren Fusion V
1. Rust en Vrede Estate
3. Jordan Cobblers Hill
3. Morgenhof Premiere Selection
3. Vergelegen
6. Simonsig Frans Malan
7. Ernie Els
8. Glen Carlou Grand Classique
8. Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmond
10. Beyerskloof
10. Sadie Columella
12. Kanonkop Paul Sauer
13. Rustenberg John X Merriman
14. Overgaauw Tria Corda
15. Cordoba Crescendo
16. Goat-Roti
16. Kaapzicht Steytler Vision
18. Mas Nicolas
19. Nitida Calligraphy
19. Veenwouden Classic
21. Kanu Keystone
22. Neethlingshof Lord Neethling Laurentius
22. De Trafford Elevation 393
22. Vergenoegd Estate
25. DeWaal Cape Blend
26. Eikendal Classique
26. Fairview SMV
26. Kumkani Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon
29. Grangehurst Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
29. Klein Gustrouw Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
29. Lanzerac Classic
29. Vergelegen Mill Race
33. Blaauwklippen Barouche
33. Diversity
33. Morkel Tumara
33. Muratie Ansela van de Caab
33. Villiera Merlot Pinotage
BEST CHARDONNAY
1. Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented
2. Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
3. Avontuur Luna de Miel
4. Hamilton Russell
4. Rijk's
6. Eikendal
7. Buitenverwachting
7. Kanu
9. Chamonix
10. Vergelegen
11. Rustenberg Five Soldiers
12. Jordan Nine Yards
12. Longridge
12. Rupert & Rothschild Baroness Nadine
12. Rustenberg Stellenbosch
16. Glen Carlou Reserve
16. Groote Post
18. Cape Point
19. Warwick
BEST CHENIN BLANC
1. Kanu Wooded
2. Rudera Robusto
3. The FMC Forrester Meinert
4. Ken Forrester
5. Jean Daneel Signature
5. Zondernaam
7. Fleur du Cap
7. Kleine Zalze Barrel Fermented
9. Spier Private Collection
10. Hazendal Wooded
10. Rijk's Barrel Fermented
12. Spice Route
13. Mulderbosch Steen op Hout
13. Rudera
15. Villiera Cellar Door
BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC
1. Steenberg Reserve
2. Bloemendal Suider Terras
3. Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
4. Springfield Life from Stone
5. Cape Point
5. Springfield Special Cuvée
5. Vergelegen Reserve
8. Neil Ellis Groenekloof
9. Durbanville Hills Rhinofields
9. Fryer's Cove
11. Sterhuis
12. Cederberg
12. Zondernaam
14. Mooiplaas
14. Nederburg Private Bin
14. Nitida
14. Simonsvlei Hercules Paragon
BEST SEMILLON
1. Steenberg
2. Jack & Knox Green on Green
3. Fairview Oom Pagel
4. Constantia Uitsig
5. Stellenzicht Reserve
BEST WHITE BLEND
1. Vergelegen
BEST SPARKLING CAP CLASSIQUE
1. Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut
2. Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs
2. Woolworths Villiera Brut Rosé
4. Graham Beck Brut
5. Villiera Monro
6. Jacques Bruére Brut Reserve
7. Desiderius Pongrácz
8. Pongrácz
8. Villiera Tradition Brut Rosé
8. Weltevrede Philip Jonker Brut
11. Môreson Soleil du Matin Brut
12. Ambeloui
12. Simonsig Cuvée Royale
12. Woolworths Villiera MCC Vintage Reserve
BEST UNFORTIFIED DESSERT
1. Klein Constanta Vin de Constance
2. De Trafford Straw Wine
3. T Noble Late Harvest
4. Nederburg Edelkeur
5. Slanghoek Noble Late Harvest
6. Simonsig Vin de Liza
7. Nederburg Eminence
BEST PORT-STYLE FORTIFIED
1. Axe Hill Vintage
1. Boplaas Vintage Reserve
1. De Krans Vintage Reserve
4. Monis Very Old Tawny
5. Boplaas Tawny
6. Landskroon
7. Boplaas Vintage
8. De Krans Tawny
9. Beaumont Vintage
BEST RED WINE CELLARS
Avondale Vineyards
Beyerskloof
Blue Creek Wines
Boekenhoutskloof
Bon Courage Estate
Cederberg Private Cellar
Cordoba Winery
De Toren Private Cellar
De Trafford Wines
Diemersfontein Wines
Ernie Els Wines
Fairview
Glen Carlou Vineyards
Graceland Vineyards
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hartenberg Estate
Jordan Winery
Kaapzicht Estate
Kanonkop Estate
L'Avenir Estate
Môreson
Morgenhof Estate
Neil Ellis Wines
Overgaauw Estate
Rijk's Private Cellar
Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons
Rust en Vrede Estate
Rustenberg Wines
Sadie Family
Simonsig Estate
The Spice Route Winery
Spier Wines
Steenberg Vineyards
Stellenzicht Vineyards
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Vergelegen
Waterford Estate
BEST WHITE WINE CELLARS
Avontuur Estate
The Bergkelder / Fleur du Cap
Bloemendal Estate
Cape Point Vineyards
Eikendal Vineyards
Fairview
Flagstone Winery
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Jean Daneel Wines
Kanu Wines
Ken Forrester Wines
Kleine Zalze
Mulderbosch Vineyards
Rijk's Private Cellar
Rudera Wines
Springfield Estate
Steenberg Vineyards
Tokara
Vergelegen
BEST CELLARS OVERALL
STILL, UNFORTIFIED, NON-DESSERT WINES
Avontuur Estate
The Bergkelder / Fleur du Cap
Beyerskloof
Bloemendal Estate
Blue Creek Wines
Boekenhoutskloof
Cederberg Private Cellar
De Toren Private Cellar
De Trafford Wines
Eikendal Vineyards
Ernie Els Wines
Fairview
Flagstone Winery
Glen Carlou Vineyards
Graceland Vineyards
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hartenberg Estate
Jordan Winery
Kanonkop Estate
Kanu Wines
Ken Forrester Wines
L'Avenir Estate
Môreson
Morgenhof Estate
Mulderbosch Vineyards
Neil Ellis Wines
Overgaauw Estate
Rijk's Private Cellar
Rudera Wines
Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons
Rust en Vrede Estate
Rustenberg Wines
Simonsig Estate
The Spice Route Winery
Spier Wines
Springfield Estate
Steenberg Vineyards
Stellenzicht Vineyards
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Tokara
Vergelegen
Waterford Estate
2005 - July 2000 to June 2005
BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON
1. Thelema
2. De Trafford
3. Boekenhoutskloof
4. Cederberg
5. Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection
5. Rustenberg Peter Barlow
7. Jordan
8. Flagstone The Music Room
9. Blue Creek
9. Post House
BEST MERLOT
1. Thelema Reserve
2. Lanzerac
3. De Trafford
BEST PINOT NOIR
1. Hamilton Russell
2. Bouchard Finlayson
BEST PINOTAGE
1. Môreson
2. L'Avenir
3. Beyerskloof Reserve
BEST SHIRAZ / SYRAH
1. Boekenhoutskloof
2. Stellenzicht Syrah
3. De Trafford
4. Hartenberg
5. Stellenzicht Golden Triangle
6. Cederberg
7. Simonsig Merindol
8. Bon Courage
8. Diemersfontein
8. Glen Carlou
8. Spice Route Flagship
12. Viljoensdrift River Grandeur
13. Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection
13. Ridgeback
13. Thelema
16. Kevin Arnold
16. Saxenburg Private Collection
18. Avondale
18. Steenberg
20. Culraithin
20. Delheim Vera Cruz
BEST RED BLENDS
1. Rust en Vrede Estate
2. Jordan Cobblers Hill
2. Morgenhof Premiere Selection
2. Vergelegen
5. Glen Carlou Grand Classique
5. Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmond
7. De Toren Fusion V
7. Ernie Els
9. Rustenberg John X Merriman
10. Simonsig Frans Malan
11. Kanonkop Paul Sauer
12. Cordoba Crescendo
13. Beyerskloof
14. Kaapzicht Steytler Vision
15. Veenwouden Classic
16. Kanu Keystone
17. DeWaal Cape Blend
17. Goat-Roti
17. Overgaauw Tria Corda
20. Sadie Columella
20. Eikendal Classique
20. Fairview SMV
20. Kumkani Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon
BEST CHARDONNAY
1. Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
2. Avontuur Luna de Miel
3. Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented
4. Eikendal
5. Buitenverwachting
6. Hamilton Russell
7. Rustenberg
8. Chamonix
8. Glen Carlou
8. Jordan
11. Rijk's
12. Kanu
BEST CHENIN BLANC
1. Kanu Wooded
2. Rudera Robusto
3. Ken Forrester
3. The FMC Forrester Meinert
5. Rijk's Barrel Fermented
6. Jean Daneel
7. Fleur du Cap
BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC
1. Vergelegen Reserve
2. Steenberg Reserve
3. Neil Ellis Groenekloof
4. Springfield Life from Stone
5. Bloemendal
6. Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
7. Springfield Special Cuvée
BEST SEMILLON
1. Vergelegen
BEST SPARKLING CAP CLASSIQUE
1. Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut
2. Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs
2. Woolworths Villiera Brut Rosé
4. Graham Beck Brut
5. Jacques Bruère Brut Reserve
6. Villiera Brut Vintage
7. Môreson Soleil du Matin
BEST UNFORTIFIED DESSERT
1. Klein Constantia Vin de Constance
2. De Trafford Straw Wine
3. T Noble Late Harvest
4. Nederburg Edelkeur
5. Slanghoek Noble Late Harvest
6. Simonsig Vin de Liza
BEST RED WINE CELLARS
Beyerskloof
Boekenhoutskloof
Cederberg Private Cellar
De Toren Private Cellar
De Trafford Wines
Ernie Els Wines
Glen Carlou Vineyards
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hartenberg Estate
Jordan Winery
Kanonkop Estate
L'Avenir Estate
Môreson
Morgenhof Estate
Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons
Rustenberg Wines
Rust en Vrede Estate
Simonsig Estate
Stellenzicht Vineyards
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Vergelegen
BEST WHITE WINE CELLARS
Avontuur Estate
The Bergkelder / Fleur du Cap
Bloemendal Estate
Buitenverwachting
Eikendal Vineyards
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Jean Daneel Wines
Kanu Wines
Ken Forrester Wines
Mulderbosch Vineyards
Neil Ellis Wines
Rijk's Private Cellar
Rudera Wines
Rustenberg Wines
Springfield Estate
Steenberg Vineyards
Vergelegen
BEST PORT WINE CELLARS
Axe Hill
Boplaas Family Vineyards
De Krans
JP Bredell
Monis
2004 - July 1999 to June 2004
BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Blue Creek
Boekenhoutskloof
Cederberg
De Trafford
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
Jordan
Le Riche
Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection
Overgaauw
Rustenberg Peter Barlow
Thelema
Vergelegen
Waterford
BEST MERLOT
De Trafford
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
Morgenhof
Thelema
Veenwouden
Vergelegen
Vergenoegd
BEST PINOT NOIR
Bouchard Finlayson
Hamilton Russell
BEST PINOTAGE
Bellevue
Beyerskloof Reserve
Broken Stone
Cederberg
Delheim
Kaapzicht Steytler
Kanonkop
L'Avenir
Môreson
Simonsig Redhill
Spice Route Flagship
Uiterwyk Top of the Hill
BEST SHIRAZ / SYRAH
Avondale
Boekenhoutskloof
Culraithin
De Trafford
Delheim Vera Cruz
Fairview
Glen Carlou
Graham Beck The Ridge
Havana Hills Du Plessis Reserve
Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection
Rust en Vrede
Simonsig Merindol
Slaley
Spice Route Flagship
Stellenzicht Syrah
Thelema
Waterford Kevin Arnold
BEST RED BLENDS
Beyerskloof
Cordoba Crescendo
De Toren Fusion V
Glen Carlou Grand Classique
Jordan Cobblers Hill
Kanonkop Paul Sauer
Morgenhof Premiere Selection
Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmond
Rust en Vrede Estate
Rustenberg John X Merriman
Simonsig Frans Malan
Veenwouden Classic
Vergelegen
BEST CHARDONNAY
Amani
Avontuur Luna de Miel
Buitenverwachting
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
Glen Carlou
Hamilton Russell
Jordan
Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented
Rustenberg
Vergelegen
BEST CHENIN BLANC
De Trafford
Kanu Wooded
Ken Forrester
Rudera Robusto
Spice Route
BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC
Bartho Eksteen
Cape Point
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered
Neil Ellis Groenekloof
Nitida
Springfield
Steenberg Reserve
Vergelegen Reserve
BEST SEMILLON
Constantia Uitsig Reserve
Fairview Oom Pagel
Steenberg
BEST SPARKLING CAP CLASSIQUE
Ambeloui
Graham Beck
Jacques Bruère
Laborie
Môreson
Pongrácz
Simonsig
Villiera
BEST UNFORTIFIED DESSERT
De Trafford Straw Wine
T Noble Late Harvest
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance
Nederburg Edelkeur
Slanghoek Noble Late Harvest
BEST PORT-STYLE FORTIFIED
Axe Hill Vintage
Bergsig
Boplaas Vintage Reserve
Bredell's Vintage Reserve
De Krans Vintage Reserve
Landskroon
Monis Very Old Tawny
BEST CELLARS OVERALL
STILL, UNFORTIFIED, NON-DESSERT WINES
Boekenhoutskloof
De Toren Private Cellar
De Trafford Wines
Graham Beck Wines
Jordan Winery
Kanonkop Estate
Kanu Wines
Neil Ellis Wines
Rust en Vrede Estate
Rustenberg Wines
Simonsig Estate
Stellenzicht Vineyards
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Vergelegen
SA WINE Classification system to
rank leading wines and wineries
Wines with the best track records were ranked on the basis of the following:
o To qualify for inclusion in the SA WINE Classification, a wine had to achieve a minimum of one 4 Star rating and two 3 Star ratings in respect of at least three different vintages assessed by WINE magazine tasting panels during the five-year period under review.
o The average of the top three scores awarded (for three different vintages) determined an overall score for each wine.
o Bonus points were awarded if a wine scored 3 Stars or better in respect of four different vintages over the five-year period.
Wine producers with the best track records were determined as follows:
o If a cellar produced one wine that qualified for inclusion in the SA WINE Classification, the overall score for that wine (including bonus points) also equated to the cellar's overall score for the five-year period under review.
o If a cellar produced more than one wine that qualified for the Classification, additional bonus points were awarded - but not to the extent that a winery producing a range of wines that qualified would hugely overshadow a winery that produced only one or two wines included in the Classification.
Click here for WINE magazine's tasting procedures and scoring criteria.
Click here for WINE tasting reports.
Click here for the database of over 23 000 WINE ratings.
