Tim Atkin MW’s South Africa Special Report 2025, released in partnership with Old Mutual Private Wealth, has awarded two local wines the ultimate accolade: a perfect 100 points. They are the 2024 Alheit Magnetic North Chenin Blanc from Citrusdal Mountain and the 2023 Porseleinberg Syrah from the Swartland. Both reinforce South Africa’s reputation for producing wines of world-class stature.
Close behind are the 2024 Sadie Family Wines Skerpioen (Swartland) and 2023 Boschkloof Epilogue Syrah (Stellenbosch), each scoring 99 points. In total, Atkin tasted 2,000 wines from nearly 400 producers, highlighting the Cape’s deep connection to land, the rise of single-vineyard bottlings, and Chenin Blanc’s global dominance, with 34 wines scoring 95 or more. Syrah led the reds, with 21 wines above 95, while Chardonnay also impressed.
The Podium 2025 Accolades
- Winemaker of the Year: Donovan Rall (Rall Wines)
- Young Winemaker of the Year: Stuart Botha (Tokara)
- Rising Star of the Year: Megan van der Merwe (Beau Constantia)
- Viticulturist of the Year: Danie Carinus (Bluegum Grove, Stellenbosch)
- Producers’ Cellar of the Year: Riebeek Valley Wine Company
- Winemaking Legend: Dr Paul Clüver (Elgin pioneer)
- Best Cellar Door Experience: Gabriëlskloof (Bot River)
Overall Wines of the Year
- White: 2024 Alheit Magnetic North Chenin Blanc (Citrusdal Mountain)
- Red: 2023 Porseleinberg Syrah (Swartland)
- Rosé: 2025 Doolhof XCLUSIV Rosé (Limietberg)
- Sparkling: 2019 Graham Beck Cuvée Clive Cap Classique (Western Cape)
- Sweet: 2022 Boekenhoutskloof Noble Late Harvest (Franschhoek)
- Fortified: 2005 Boplaas Colheita 20-Year-Old Cape Tawny (Calitzdorp)
Wine Discoveries of the Year
- Red: 2022 Beeslaar The Sacrament (Stellenbosch)
- White: 2024 Sadie Family Twiswind (Swartland)
- Rosé: 2024 Lost Boy Latigo (Cape Agulhas)
- Fortified: NV Saldanha Oloroso N° 3 (Swartland)
- Sparkling: 2020 Boschendal Mountain Rose Pinot Noir Rosé Cap Classique (Coastal)
Best Value Wines of the Year
- White: 2023 Windmeul OVP Chenin Blanc Reserve (Paarl)
- Red: 2024 Kloovenburg Village Red (Swartland)
- Rosé: 2024 Le Sueur Grenache Rosé (Klein Karoo)
- Sparkling: 2024 Rebel Rebel Cinsault Méthode Ancestrale (Bottelary)
- Sweet: 2024 Van Loveren VRL Special Late Harvest Gewürztraminer (Robertson)
- Fortified: NV KWV Classic Collection Cape Tawny (Western Cape)
Atkin praises the resilience and innovation of South African producers amid climate and economic pressures, spotlighting regenerative farming, heritage vineyard protection, and Mediterranean grape plantings as key to the future.
The full report, with scores and detailed insights, is available at www.timatkin.com
