Wine Spectator (USA): wines rated 90-plus

Wines scored between 90 and 94 out of 100 in the American journal Wine Spectator are described as "outstanding, superior character and style" and those receiving a score between 95 and 100 are termed "classic, a great wine". The following represents top-scoring South African wines as reviewed by one of the magazine’s editors, tasting blind:

2008

94 – Boekenhoutskloof The Journeyman 2005
94 – De Trafford Shiraz 2005
94 – De Trafford Straw Wine 2005
94 – Sadie Family Columella 2006

93 – Anthonij Rupert Cabernet Franc 2005
93 – Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2005
93 – The FMC Forrester Meinert Chenin 2006
93 – Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2002
93 – Warwick Reserve (Trilogy) 2005

92 – Anthonij Rupert Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
92 – Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
92 – Capaia 2006
92 – Cape Point Isliedh 2006
92 – De Trafford Blueprint Shiraz 2005
92 – Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2006
92 – Ken Forrester T Noble Late Harvest 2006
92 – Mulderbosch Shiraz 2004
92 – Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Shiraz 2004
92 – Rustenberg Five Soldiers 2005
92 – Rust en Vrede Estate 2004
92 – Sadie Family Palladius 2006
92 – Vins d’Orrance Syrah 2005

91 – Anthonij Rupert Merlot 2005
91 – Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2005
91 – Cape Point Sauvignon Blanc 2006
91 – Cirrus Syrah 2005
91 – Fairview The Beacon Shiraz 2005
91 – Guardian Peak Lapa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
91 – Jordan Syrah 2005
91 – Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2003
91 – Neil Ellis Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2006
91 – Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2006
91 – Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2005
91 – Post House Penny Black 2005
91 – Rudera Chenin Blanc 2006
91 – Rust en Vrede Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
91 – Signal Hill Eszencia NV
91 – Southern Right Pinotage 2006
91 – Thelema Shiraz 2005
91 – Warwick Cabernet Franc 2005

90 – Blue Grove Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2007
90 – Cape Point Stonehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2007
90 – De Morgenzon Chenin Blanc 2006
90 – Engelbrecht Els 2005
90 – Fairview JakkalsFontein Shiraz 2004
90 – Glen Carlou Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
90 – Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2006
90 – Meerlust Rubicon 2004
90 – Meinert Synchronicity 2004
90 – Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
90 – Neil Ellis Elgin Chardonnay 2006
90 – Paul Cluver Weisser Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2006
90 – Raats Cabernet Franc 2006
90 – Raats Chenin Blanc 2007
90 – Rust en Vrede Merlot 2006
90 – Rust en Vrede Shiraz 2004
90 – Spice Route Flagship Syrah 2005
90 – Thelema Sauvignon Blanc 2007
90 – Vilafonté Series M 2005

2007

95 – Sadie Columella 2005

93 – Mvemve Raats De Compostella 2004
93 – Rudi Schultz Syrah 2005
93 – Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards Vin Pi

92 – Ataraxia Chardonnay 2006
92 – Brampton Shiraz 2004
92 – De Toren Fusion V 2005
92 – De Trafford Shiraz 2004
92 – The FMC Forrester Meinert Chenin 2005
92 – The Foundry Syrah 2004
92 – Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2006
92 – Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2001
92 – Meerlust Chardonnay 2005
92 – Neil Ellis Elgin Chardonnay 2005
92 – Rudi Schultz Syrah 2004
92 – Spice Route Flagship Syrah 2004

91 – Ataraxia Sauvignon Blanc 2006
91 – Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2004
91 – Buitenverwachting Chardonnay 2005
91 – Capaia 2005
91 – Cape Point Isliedh 2005
91 – Cirrus 2004
91 – De Toren Fusion V 2004
91 – Edgebaston Shiraz 2005
91 – Engelbrecht Els 2004
91 – Fairview Primo Pinotage 2003
91 – Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2005
91 – Hartenberg The Stork Shiraz 2003
91 – Palladius 2005
91 – Raats Cabernet Franc 2005
91 – Raats Chenin Blanc 2006
91 – Rustenberg Five Soldiers 2004
91 – Stark-Condé Twin Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
91 – Stark-Condé Twin Peak Syrah 2005
91 – Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
91 – Thelema The Mint Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
91 – Thelema Shiraz 2004
91 – Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards Shiraz 2006
91 – Vilafonté Series M 2004
91 – Waterford The Jem 2004

90 – Anwilka 2005
90 – Ataraxia Serenity 2005
90 – Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
90 – Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2004
90 – Bouchard Finlayson Kaaimansgat Chardonnay 2004
90 – Cape Point Chardonnay 2004
90 – Cape Point Sauvignon Blanc 2005
90 – Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
90 – Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2006
90 – De Trafford Straw Wine 2004
90 – Edgebaston Chardonnay 2006
90 – Fairview Shiraz 2005
90 – Fairview The Beacon Shiraz 2004
90 – The Foundry Viognier 2006
90 – Glen Carlou Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
90 – Glen Carlou Quartz Stone Chardonnay 2006
90 – Goat-Roti 2005
90 – Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2004
90 – Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2005
90 – Kanonkop Pinotage 2004
90 – Ken Forrester The Gypsy Grenache Syrah 2004
90 – Kumkani Lanner Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2005
90 – Miles Mossop Saskia 2006
90 – Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2005
90 – Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2006
90 – Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2006
90 – Mulderbosch Shiraz 2003
90 – Raats Chenin Blanc 2005
90 – Rudera Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
90 – Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2006
90 – Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2005
90 – Scali Shiraz 2004
90 – Southern Right Pinotage 2005
90 – Spice Route Malabar 2003
90 – Spice Route Pinotage 2005
90 – Stark-Condé Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
90 – Stark-Condé Stellenbosch Syrah 2005
90 – Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
90 – Thelema The Mint Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
90 – Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards Syrah Mourvèdre 2004
90 – Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards White 2006
90 – Vilafonté Series C 2004
90 – Vins d’Orrance Cuvée Ameena Syrah 2004
90 – Warwick Cabernet Franc 2004
90 – Warwick Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc 2006
90 – Warwick Reserve (Trilogy) 2004
90 – Waterford Chardonnay 2006
90 – Waterford Sauvignon Blanc 2006

2006

94 – De Trafford Shiraz 2003

92 – Kanu Kia-Ora Noble Late Harvest 2004

91 – De Toren Fusion V 2003
91 – De Trafford Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
91 – De Trafford Elevation 393 2003
91 – Fairview Solitude Shiraz 2003
91 – The FMC Forrester Meinert Chenin 2004 (Ken Forrester)
91 – Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2005
91 – Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Syrah 2003
91 – Rustenberg Five Soldiers 2003
91 – Sanctum Shiraz 2003
91 – Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

90 – Boschkloof Syrah 2004
90 – Cirrus Syrah 2003 (Ernie Els)
90 – Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Stark-Condé)
90 – Condé Syrah 2003 (Stark-Condé)
90 – Delaire Sauvignon Blanc 2005
90 – De Trafford Blueprint Shiraz 2004
90 – De Wetshof Bateleur Chardonnay 2003
90 – Engelbrecht Els 2003 (Ernie Els)
90 – Fairview Solitude Shiraz 2004
90 – Glen Carlou Syrah 2004
90 – Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2004
90 – Kanu Kia-Ora Noble Late Harvest 2003
90 – Meinert Synchronicity 2003
90 – Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2005
90 – Neil Ellis Elgin Chardonnay 2004
90 – Neil Ellis Groenekloof Sauvignon Blanc 2004
90 – Neil Ellis Shiraz 2003
90 – Rudera Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
90 – Scali Syrah 2003
90 – Spice Route Flagship Syrah 2003

2005

92 – De Trafford Shiraz 2002
92 – De Trafford Straw Wine 2003
92 – Ernie Els 2003
92 – Sanctum Shiraz 2002

91 – Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2003
91 – Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2002
91 – Boschkloof Syrah 2003
91 – De Trafford Blueprint Shiraz 2003
91 – Ernie Els 2002
91 – Fairview JakkalsFontein Shiraz 2003
91 – Jordan Cobblers Hill 2001
91 – Paul Cluver Weisser Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2003
91 – Raats Chenin Blanc 2004
91 – Rust en Vrede Estate 2001
91 – The Foundry Syrah 2003
91 – Thelema Shiraz 2003
91 – Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2003 (Waterford)

90 – Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
90 – De Trafford Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
90 – De Trafford Chenin Blanc 2004
90 – De Trafford Elevation 393 2001
90 – The FMC Forrester Meinert Chenin 2003 (Ken Forrester)
90 – Goats do Roam in Villages Red 2003 (Fairview)
90 – Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
90 – Jordan Sauvignon Blanc 2004
90 – Meerlust Chardonnay 2003
90 – Mulderbosch Shiraz 2002
90 – Rudi Schultz Syrah 2003 (Schultz Family Wines)
90 – Rust en Vrede Estate 2002
90 – Thelema Merlot 2002
90 – Tokara Chardonnay 2004
90 – Tokara Red 2003
90 – Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
90 – Warwick Reserve (Trilogy) 2002

2004

94 – De Trafford Shiraz 2001

93 – Ernie Els 2001 (Engelbrecht Els)
93 – Fairview The Beacon Shiraz 2002
93 – Rudi Schultz Syrah 2002

92 – Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2001
92 – Fairview JakkalsFontein Shiraz 2002
92 – Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2000
92 – Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1999
92 – Mulderbosch Chardonnay 2002
92 – Rudera Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest 2003
92 – Rustenberg Peter Barlow 2001

91 – Columella 2002 (Sadie Family)
91 – De Krans Vintage Reserve Port 2001
91 – Delheim Vera Cruz Shiraz 2000
91 – Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2002
91 – Goat-Roti 2002 (Fairview)
91 – Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2003
91 – Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2004
91 – Rudera Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
91 – Rustenberg John X Merriman 2001
91 – Spice Route Flagship Syrah 2001
91 – Spice Route Malabar 2002
91 – T Noble Late Harvest 2001 (Ken Forrester)
91 – Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
91 – Warwick Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc 2003
91 – Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2001

90 – Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
90 – Boplaas Vintage Reserve Port 2001
90 – Buitenverwachting Chardonnay 2003
90 – David Frost Par Excellence 2002
90 – De Trafford Walker Bay Chenin Blanc 2003
90 – Delheim Shiraz 2001
90 – Fairview Cyril Back Shiraz 2001
90 – The Foundry Syrah 2002
90 – Glen Carlou Syrah 2002
90 – Kanu Shiraz 2002
90 – Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2001
90 – Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
90 – Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Shiraz 2001
90 – Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2002
90 – Simonsig Frans Malan 2000
90 – Villiera Inspiration 2001
90 – Warwick Estate Reserve (Trilogy) 2001

2003

93 – De Trafford Elevation 393 2000
93 – De Trafford Shiraz 2000
93 – De Trafford Straw Wine 2001
93 – Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1998

92 – Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (Stark-Condé)
92 – Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 (Stark-Condé)
92 – Fairview Solitude Shiraz 2001
92 – Mulderbosch Chardonnay 2001
92 – Mulderbosch Chardonnay 2000
92 – Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2003
92 – Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2002
92 – Rust en Vrede 2000
92 – Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2000

91 – De Toren Fusion V 2001
91 – De Trafford Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
91 – De Trafford Reserve (Elevation 393) 1999
91 – Fairview The Beacon Shiraz 2001
91 – Fairview Primo Pinotage 2001
91 – Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2002
91 – Kanonkop Paul Sauer 1998
91 – Kanonkop Pinotage 2001
91 – Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2001
91 – Neil Ellis Elgin Chardonnay 2002
91 – Raats Chenin Blanc 2002
91 – Rustenberg Five Soldiers 2001
91 – Signal Hill Mathilde Aszu 6 Puttonyos 2002
91 – Stark Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 (Stark-Condé)
91 – Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
91 – Thelema Shiraz 2001
91 – Warwick Estate Reserve (Trilogy) 2000

90 – Bouchard Finlayson Missionvale Chardonnay 2002
90 – Buitenverwachting Sauvignon Blanc 2003
90 – Delaire Sauvignon Blanc 2002
90 – De Trafford Merlot 2000
90 – Fairview Akkerbos Chardonnay 2001
90 – Fairview Cyril Back Shiraz 2000
90 – Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
90 – Jordan Cobblers Hill 2000
90 – Jordan Sauvignon Blanc 2002
90 – Kanonkop Pinotage 2000
90 – Kanu Chardonnay 2001
90 – Kanu Limited Release Wooded Chenin Blanc 2002
90 – Neil Ellis Elgin Chardonnay 2001
90 – Neil Ellis Groenekloof Sauvignon Blanc 2002
90 – Neil Ellis Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
90 – Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
90 – Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Shiraz 2000
90 – Rust en Vrede Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
90 – Rust en Vrede Shiraz 2000
90 – Seidelberg Chardonnay 2001
90 – Signal Hill Crème de Tete 2000
90 – Spice Route Flagship Merlot 2000
90 – Stark Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (Stark-Condé)
90 – Thelema Merlot 2001
90 – Thelema Sauvignon Blanc 2003
90 – Umkhulu Titan 2001

2002

93 – Ernie Els 2000 (Engelbrecht Els)

92 – Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1997
92 – Rustenberg Peter Barlow 1999

91 – De Toren Fusion V 2000
91 – Fairview Primo Pinotage 2000
91 – Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2000
91 – Rust en Vrede Estate 1999
91 – Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
91 – Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

90 – Delheim Vera Cruz Shiraz 1999
90 – Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2001
90 – Mont du Toit Le Sommet 1998
90 – Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2000
90 – Neil Ellis Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
90 – Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2001
90 – Rustenberg John X Merriman 1999
90 – Thelema Chardonnay 2001
90 – Thelema Merlot 1999
90 – Thelema Shiraz 2000

2001

91 – Rust en Vrede Estate 1998

90 – De Toren Fusion V 1999
90 – De Trafford Vin de Paille 1998
90 – Fairview Cyril Back Shiraz 1999
90 – Kanu Kia-Ora Limited Release Noble Late Harvest

1999

90 – Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2001
90 – Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2000
90 – Rustenberg Five Soldiers 1999
90 – Spice Route Flagship Syrah 1999
90 – Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
90 – Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

2000

92 – Rust en Vrede Estate 1996

91 – Beyerskloof 1997

90 – De Trafford Shiraz 1998
90 – Glen Carlou Chardonnay 1998
90 – Klein Constantia Marlbrook 1996
90 – Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 1998

1999

91 – Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 1995
91 – Thelema Chardonnay 1997

90 – Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 1998
90 – Kanonkop Paul Sauer 1995
90 – Mulderbosch Chardonnay 1997

1998

92 – Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 1995

90 – Glen Carlou Chardonnay 1997
90 – Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 1996

1997

92 – Stellenzicht Syrah 1994

91 – Kanonkop Pinotage 1995

90 – Glen Carlou Chardonnay 1996
90 – Glen Carlou Reserve Chardonnay 1995
90 – Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 1994

1996

90 – Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 1993

1995

91 – Kanonkop Reserve Pinotage 1993
91 – Thelema Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1991

90 – Boschendal Jean le Long Bin 102 Auction Reserve Chardonnay 1991
90 – Glen Carlou Reserve Chardonnay 1994
90 – Glen Carlou Chardonnay 1994
90 – Grangehurst Cabernet Sauvignon 1992
90 – Kanonkop Paul Sauer 1991
90 – Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 1992

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