Tim Atkin’s influential South Africa 2025 Special Report has just been released and includes some fantastic reviews for our producers Waterkloof, Le Riche, Daschbosch and Zorgvliet.  A huge congratulations to Winemaker of the Year Donovan Rall as well.

This fascinating full report is available to buy from Tim Atkin.com. 

Here are some highlights of what Tim had to say….

Waterkloof Chenin Blanc, WO Stellenbosch 2022– 93 Points

Chenin Blanc is the most planted variety at Waterkloof and is well-suited to this cool, spectacularly sited estate. Sourced from the Pofadder block, this single vineyard white is an intense, concentrated, barrel-fermented style with flavours of miso tea, pear, mint and kiwi fruit, subtle oak spices and a racy finish.

Waterkloof Boreas, WO Stellenbosch 2023 – 93 Points

Boreas is an ambitious Bordeaux style red that’s dominated by Cabernet Franc, aided by a supporting cast of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in 10% new wood, it’s a serious, sappy, focused assemblage with appealing rocket and cedarwood aromas, sinewy tannins, subtle oak spices, redcurrant and black cherry flavours and some tannic backbone.

Waterkloof Syrah, WO Stellenbosch 2023 – 93 Points

Nadia Barnard is a bit of a Syrah nut, and it shows in the consistent quality of what she makes at Waterkloof. Sourced from parcels on granite and sandstone, it’s a cool climate style that was fermented with 100% whole bunches, showing white pepper and rose petal aromas, sappy, meaty flavours of charcuterie, redcurrant and wild strawberry and some underlying tannic grip.

Circle of Life Red, WO Stellenbosch 2023 – 92 Points

One of the best recent releases of Circle of Life, this is a seamless cuvée of Mourvèdre, 9% Syrah and 7% Grenache. Scented and engaging, it has aromas of patisserie spices and Turkish Delight, a juicy, sappy palate of pomegranate, plum and wild strawberry and a refreshing, mineral-etched core.

Circumstance Cabernet Franc, WO Stellenbosch 2021 – 92 Points

Fans of the wines of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil in the Loire Valley will love this cool climate Cabernet Franc from Nadia Barnard. It’s an elegant, beautifully restrained expression of the variety with subtle tobacco leaf and green malt notes from 100% whole bunches, layers of basil, plum and red cherry and a leafy finish.

Circle of Life White, WO Stellenbosch 2024 – 91 Points

Based on Sauvignon Blanc, with support from 22% Chenin Blanc and 2% Semillon, this is a layered, barrel-fermented white that reflects its cool windy site overlooking False Bay. Racy and refreshing, it marries aromas of hay and white flowers with a palate of boiled sweets, grapefruit and tangerine and a hint of oak.

Circumstance Sauvignon Blanc, WO Stellenbosch 2024 – 91 Points

It’s good to see a producer releasing its Sauvignon Blanc with a little bottle age, rather than rushing to be first on the market. Made with a little malolactic to temper the high acidity, Circumstance has white flower aromas, layers of aniseed, grapefruit and elderflower and a hint of sea breeze

Circumstance Cape Coral Rosé, WO Stellenbosch 2024 – 91 Points

The kind of rosé that would go down well on the beaches of Cape Town, this is a delicate, appealingly pale cuvée of Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache. Savoury and floral, it has alluring hibiscus and raspberry flavours, a hint of tannin and a tapering, bone-dry finish.

Circumstance Chenin Blanc, WO Stellenbosch 2024 – 90 Points

Nadia Barnard used grapes from three low-yielding bush-vine blocks to produce this youthful, barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc. Appealing at the price, it segues from a nose of hay and wildflowers to a palate of pear and stone fruit supported by brisk, cool climate acidity.

Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, WO Stellenbosch 2022 – 95 Points

Produced in a hot, dry vintage in which “effective irrigation was very important”, according to Christo Le Riche, this is an intense, serious, tightly wound Cabernet Sauvignon that will definitely reward patience and time in your cellar. Bold, grippy and compact, it has damson, dried herb and blackcurrant pastille flavours, firm tannins and adroitly handled 72% new wood.

Le Riche Chardonnay, Stellenbosch 2024 – 93 Points

A single vineyard in Firgrove, located three kilometres from False Bay, is the source of this well-judged Chardonnay from a producer that’s better known for its reds. Combining amphora and 25% new barrel components, it’s racy, layered and lightly toasty, with oatmeal, toffee fudge and citrus peel flavours and a bright, refreshing finish.

Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon, WO Stellenbosch 2023 – 93 Points

Something of a minor triumph in a vintage that was challenging for late-picked varieties in Stellenbosch, this comparatively forward Cabernet Sauvignon uses grapes from 22 vineyards in the Bottelary Hills, the Jonkershoek Valley and on the Helderberg. Smooth, graceful and approachable, it has flavours of cassis, ginger and blood orange, fine tannins and a racy finish.

Le Riche Richesse, WO Stellenbosch 2023 – 91 Points

Richesse is the entry-point red from Christo Le Riche, made with Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cinsault and 10% Cabernet Franc, but no Petit Verdot or Merlot in 2023. Floral, elegant and appealingly perfumed, it’s a juicy, appealingly drinkable blend with plum, cassis and summer berry flavours, negligible oak and fine-boned tannins.

Daschbosch Avon Clairette Blanche, WO Breedekloof 2024 – 93 Points

First made in 2018, although the vineyard dates back to 1977, this is a rare example of a stand-alone Clairette Blanche from the Breedekloof. Aged on lees to give it some mid-palate texture, it’s a chiselled, refreshing, very lightly wooded white with layers of quince, lime and fennel and crunchy acidity.

Daschbosch Mossiesdrift Steen, WO Breedekloof 2024 – 93 Points

Thanks to the Old Vine Project and large producers like Daschbosch, a lot of heritage vineyards have remained in the ground. This good-value Chenin Blanc comes from a 2.7-hectare parcel planted in 1962 and shows appealing focus, depth and intensity, flavours of pear and aromatic spices and a stony, refreshing flourish. 

Zorgvliet Petit Verdot, WO Banghoek 2022 – 91 Points

It says Petit Verdot on the label, as it is entitled to do, but this Banghoek red also includes 15% Cabernet Sauvignon to add some perfume and breed. Bold, compact and concentrated, it’s a serious, age-worthy blend from Bernard Le Roux, with graceful 15% new oak, cassis, bramble and cranberry flavours and a lingering finish.

Zorgvliet Richelle, WO Banghoek 2020 – 91 Points

Bordeaux style blends from Banghoek often show a combination of structure and refinement. This assemblage of Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot has enticing cedarwood and pencil shaving aromas, cassis, plum and bramble fruit and fine-boned tannins. Ageing gracefully

*some newer vintages will land shortly