BASED ON THE best track records in 26 local and international blind-tasting forums over the past 10 years, the South African Wine & Cellar Classifications celebrate the country’s leading outfits – those who are regularly on top form, their product judged top-notch again and again, year after year.

To be eligible for the Classification, updated annually since 2004, a wine must have been made in South Africa and must have earned very good reviews from at least one of the top judging panels for at least three vintages during the 10-year period under review – between 2005 and 2014 (inclusive) for the 2015 Classification. The critics include experts appointed for the Trophy Wine Show and Veritas Awards, Platter’s wine guide (5 Stars and Highly Recommended), the Michelangelo awards, the Six Nations Challenge, Decanter, the International Wine Challenge and IWSC – to mention just some of the 26 panels – and it is the number of top-rated vintages as well as the type of accolades that determine Top 10 and Top 20 status among South Africa’s most fancied wines in terms of the Classification.

Included among those producers joining the ranks of the Top 100 SA Wine Cellars Overall are Delaire Graff, Hidden Valley and Shannon, while climbing into the Top 20 of the SA Red Wine Cellar Classification this year are Hartenberg, La Motte, Stark-Condé and Windmeul.

Newcomers in the Top Wine SA Hall of Fame – showcasing wines that have received very good ratings for eight or more vintages over the past 10 years – include Beaumont Hope Marguerite (Chenin), Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon, Cirrus Syrah, Guardian Peak Lapa Cabernet Sauvignon, Hartenberg The Stork Shiraz, Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Shiraz, La Motte Pierneef Collection Shiraz Viognier, Miles Mossop Saskia (White Blend), Morgenster (Red Blend), Nederburg Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc, Nederburg Private Bin Eminence Noble Late Harvest Muscadel, Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest, Steenberg The Black Swan (Reserve) Sauvignon Blanc, Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Chardonnay, Uva Mira The Single Tree (Single Vineyard) Chardonnay and Windmeul Pinotage Reserve.

Highlights of the 2015 SA Wine & Cellar Classifications celebrating the most consistently good wines of the various types produced in South Africa are given below in alphabetical order.

 

CLASSIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS

 

Top 10 SA Chardonnay – 2005 to 2014

Chamonix Reserve
Groot Constantia
Hamilton Russell
Jordan Barrel Fermented
Jordan Nine Yards
Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented
Paul Cluver
Rustenberg Five Soldiers
Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch
Uva Mira The Single Tree (Single Vineyard)

 

Top 10 SA Chenin Blanc – 2005 to 2014

Beaumont Hope Marguerite
Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine
DeMorgenzon Reserve
Jean Daneel Signature
Kanu KCB
Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Bush Vines
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection
Rudera Robusto
Stellenrust Barrel Fermented
The FMC (Ken Forrester)

 

Top 10 SA Sauvignon Blanc – 2005 to 2014

Cape Point
Cederberg
David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner (Cederberg)
Diemersdal Eight Rows
Diemersdal Reserve
Graham Beck Pheasants’ Run
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve
Nederburg Private Bin D234
Steenberg The Black Swan (Reserve)
Tokara Reserve Collection Elgin

 

Top SA Semillon – 2005 to 2014

Cape Point
Constantia Uitsig
David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner (Cederberg)
Eikendal
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered (Bergkelder)
KWV The Mentors
Nitida
Ondine (Ormonde)
Steenberg
Stellenzicht Reserve
Stony Brook

 

Top SA Niche White Varieties – 2005 to 2014

Bon Courage Andrés Fame Colombard
Van Loveren Neil’s Pick Colombar

 

Altydgedacht Gewürztraminer
Neethlingshof Gewürztraminer
Paul Cluver Gewürztraminer

 

The Foundry Grenache Blanc

 

Hartenberg Riesling
Jordan The Real McCoy Riesling
Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Riesling
Paul Cluver Dry Encounter Riesling

 

Alvi’s Drift ADS Viognier
Bellingham The Bernard Series Hand-Picked Viognier
Eagles’ Nest Viognier
Flagstone Word of Mouth Viognier
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Viognier (Bergkelder)
Kasteelberg Viognier (Riebeek Cellars)
Lourensford Winemaker’s Selection Viognier
Saronsberg Viognier

Top 10 SA White Blends – 2005 to 2014

Cape Point Isliedh
Flagstone Treaty Tree Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Reserve
Miles Mossop Saskia
Nederburg Ingenuity
Nitida Coronata Integration
Rall
Sadie Palladius
Steenberg Magna Carta Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Tokara Director’s Reserve
Vergelegen GVB

Top 20 SA White Wine Cellars – 2005 to 2014

Cape Point Vineyards
Cederberg Private Cellar
Chamonix
DGB (Bellingham)
Diemersdal Wine Estate
Graham Beck Wines
Groot Constantia Estate
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Jordan Wine Estate
Kanu Wines
Ken Forrester Vineyards
Kleine Zalze
Mulderbosch Vineyards
Nederburg Wines
Paul Cluver Wines
Rustenberg Wines
Sadie Family Wines
Steenberg Vineyards
Tokara
Vergelegen Wines

Top 10 SA Cabernet Sauvignon – 2005 to 2014

Boekenhoutskloof
Cederberg Five Generations
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered (Bergkelder)
Guardian Peak Lapa
Kanonkop
Rustenberg Peter Barlow
Stark-Condé Three Pines
Thelema
Vergelegen V
Waterford

Top 10 SA Merlot – 2005 to 2014

Anura Reserve
De Grendel
Dieu Donné
Durbanville Hills Luipaardsberg
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered (Bergkelder)
Hartenberg
Longridge
Rust en Vrede
Shannon Mount Bullet
Thelema Reserve

Top 10 SA Pinot Noir – 2005 to 2014

Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak
Bouchard Finlayson Tête de Cuvee Galpin Peak
Chamonix Reserve
Creation
Crystallum Cuvée Cinema
Hamilton Russell
Meerlust
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards
Oak Valley
Paul Cluver Seven Flags
Sumaridge

Top 10 SA Pinotage – 2005 to 2014

Beyerskloof Diesel
Beyerskloof Reserve
Diemersfontein Carpe Diem
Golden Triangle (Stellenzicht)
Kaapzicht Steytler
Kanonkop
Rijk’s Private Cellar
Rijk’s Reserve
Simonsig Redhill
Windmeul Reserve

Top 10 SA Shiraz/Syrah – 2005 to 2014

Boekenhoutskloof
Bon Courage Inkará
Cederberg
Cirrus (Guardian Peak)
Eagles’ Nest
Hartenberg The Stork
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve
Raka Biography
Saronsberg
Simonsig Merindol

Top SA Niche Red Varieties – 2005 to 2014

Avontuur Cabernet Franc
Neethlingshof Lord Neethling Cabernet Franc
Oldenburg Cabernet Franc
Raats Family Cabernet Franc
Rainbow’s End Cabernet Franc
Warwick Cabernet Franc
Whalehaven Cabernet Franc

 

Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Grenache

 

Doolhof Malbec

 

Du Toitskloof Dimension Nebbiolo

 

KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot

Top 10 SA Red Blends – 2005 to 2014

De Toren Fusion V
Eikendal Classique
Ernie Els Signature
Jordan Cobblers Hill
Kaapzicht Steytler Vision
Kanonkop Paul Sauer
La Motte Pierneef Collection Shiraz Viognier
Morgenster
Sadie Columella
Saronsberg Full Circle

Top 20 SA Red Wine Cellars – 2005 to 2014

Beyerskloof
Boekenhoutskloof
Cederberg Private Cellar
Chamonix
Ernie Els Wines
Guardian Peak Wines
Hartenberg Estate
Jordan Wine Estate
Kaapzicht Wine Estate
Kanonkop Estate
Kleine Zalze
La Motte
Rijk’s
Rustenberg Wines
Sadie Family Wines
Saronsberg
Simonsig
Stark-Condé Wines
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Windmeul Cellar

Top 10 Cap Classique Bubblies – 2005 to 2014

Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Blanc de Blancs
Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Brut Reserve
Desiderius Pongrácz
Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs
JC Le Roux Scintilla
Laborie Blanc de Blancs
Simonsig Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blancs
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut
Villiera Monro Brut
Villiera Woolworths Vintage Reserve Brut

Top 10 SA Unfortified Dessert – 2005 to 2014

Delheim Edelspatz Noble Late Harvest
Fairview La Beryl Blanc
Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest (Bergkelder)
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance
Mullineux Straw Wine
Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest
Nederburg Private Bin Eminence Muscadel Noble Late Harvest
Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Noble Late Harvest
Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest
Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest

Top 10 SA Fortified Dessert – 2005 to 2014

Alvi’s Drift AD Muscat de Frontignan
Badsberg Red Muscadel
Bon Courage White Muscadel
Du Toitskloof Hanepoot Jerepigo
KWV White Muscadel Jerepigo
Nuy Red Muscadel
Nuy White Muscadel
Orange River Cellars White Muscadel
Rooiberg Red Muscadel
Slanghoek Red Muscadel

Top 10 SA Port-Style Wines – 2005 to 2014

Axe Hill Cape Vintage
Boplaas Cape Tawny
Boplaas Cape Tawny NV
Boplaas Cape Vintage
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve
De Krans Cape Tawny NV
De Krans Cape Vintage
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve
KWV Cape Tawny NV
Landskroon Cape Vintage

 

Top Wine SA Hall of Fame – 2005 to 2014

WINES WITH AT LEAST EIGHT TOP-RATED VINTAGES IN THE PAST 10 YEARS

 

WHITE WINES

Beaumont Hope Marguerite (Chenin)
Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc (DGB)
Cape Point Isliedh (White Blend)
Cederberg Sauvignon Blanc
Chamonix Chardonnay Reserve
Diemersdal Eight Rows Sauvignon Blanc
Graham Beck Pheasants’ Run Sauvignon Blanc
Hamilton Russell Chardonnay
Jordan Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay
Kanu KCB Chenin Blanc
Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Bush Vines Chenin Blanc
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
Miles Mossop Saskia (White Blend)
Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
Nederburg Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc
Paul Cluver Chardonnay
Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay
Sadie Palladius (White Blend)
Steenberg The Black Swan (Reserve) Sauvignon Blanc
The FMC Chenin Blanc (Ken Forrester)
Tokara Director’s Reserve (White Blend)
Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Chardonnay
Uva Mira The Single Tree (Single Vineyard) Chardonnay
Vergelegen GVB (White Blend)

RED WINES

Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon
Boekenhoutskloof Syrah
Bon Courage Inkará Shiraz
Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir
Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon
Cederberg Shiraz
Cirrus Syrah (Guardian Peak)
De Toren Fusion V (Red Blend)
Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Pinotage
Eikendal Classique (Red Blend)
Ernie Els Signature (Red Blend)
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon (Bergkelder)
Guardian Peak Lapa Cabernet Sauvignon
Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir
Hartenberg The Stork Shiraz
Jordan Cobblers Hill (Red Blend)
Kaapzicht Steytler Vision (Red Blend)
Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon
Kanonkop Paul Sauer (Red Blend)
Kanonkop Pinotage
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Shiraz
La Motte Pierneef Collection Shiraz Viognier
Morgenster (Red Blend)
Raats Family Cabernet Franc
Rijk’s Private Cellar Pinotage
Rust en Vrede Estate (Red Blend)
Sadie Columella (Red Blend)
Saronsberg Full Circle (Red Blend)
Saronsberg Shiraz
Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz
Simonsig Redhill Pinotage
Stark-Condé Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon
Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon
Waterford Cabernet Sauvignon
Windmeul Pinotage Reserve

SPARKLING WINE

Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut

DESSERT WINE

Fairview La Beryl Blanc
Fleur du Cap Bergkelder Selection Noble Late Harvest
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet
Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Noble Late Harvest Chenin Blanc
Nederburg Private Bin Eminence Noble Late Harvest Muscadel
Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Noble Late Harvest
Neethlingshof Maria Noble Late Harvest
Nuy Red Muscadel
Nuy White Muscadel
Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest

PORT-STYLE WINE

Axe Hill Cape Vintage
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve

 

 

Top 100 SA Wine Cellars Overall – Unfortified, 2005 to 2014

Anura Vineyards
Ataraxia Wines
Beaumont Wines
Bergkelder (Fleur du Cap)
Beyerskloof
Boekenhoutskloof
Bon Courage Estate
Boschendal
Bouchard Finlayson
Buitenverwachting
Cape Point Vineyards
Cederberg Private Cellar
Chamonix
Cloof Wine Estate
Constantia Uitsig
De Grendel
De Toren Private Cellar
De Trafford Winery
Delaire Graff Estate
Delheim
DeMorgenzon
DGB (Bellingham)
Diemersdal Wine Estate
Diemersfontein
Eagles’ Nest
Eikendal Vineyards
Ernie Els Wines
Fable
Fairview
Flagstone Winery
Glen Carlou
GlenWood
Graham Beck Wines
Groot Constantia Estate
Guardian Peak Wines
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hartenberg Estate
Hidden Valley Wines
Iona Vineyards
JC Le Roux
Jean Daneel Wines
Jordan Wine Estate
Kaapzicht Wine Estate
Kanonkop Estate
Kanu Wines
Ken Forrester Vineyards
Klein Constantia Estate
Kleine Zalze
KWV
La Motte
Le Riche Wines
Lomond
Longridge Wine Estate
Meerlust Estate
Miles Mossop Wines
Môreson
Morgenster Estate
Mulderbosch Vineyards
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines
Nederburg Wines
Neethlingshof Estate
Neil Ellis Wines
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards
Nitida Cellars
Oak Valley Estate
Paul Cluver Wines
Quoin Rock Winery
Raats Family Wines
Raka
Rall Wines
Reyneke Wines
Rijk’s
Robertson Winery
Rudera Wines
Rust en Vrede Estate
Rustenberg Wines
Sadie Family Wines
Saronsberg
Saxenburg
Shannon Vineyards
Simonsig
Spice Route
Spier
Stark-Condé Wines
Steenberg Vineyards
Stellenrust
Stellenzicht
Sterhuis
Strandveld Vineyards
Sumaridge
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Tokara
Uva Mira
Van Loveren
Vergelegen Estate
Vilafonté
Villiera Wines
Warwick Estate
Waterford Estate
Wellington Wines
Windmeul Cellar