Congratulations to all our Producers for the excellent results in the 2020 Tim Atkin's South African Report. An honourable mention to Bon Courage for Best value Sparkling Wine of the Year and to Tokara for having two wines in the Top Bordeaux Blends Wines of the Year
The full Tim Atkin's South Africa Report is available on their website here
Bon Courage Jacques Bruère Blanc de Blancs MCC 2011
Best Value Sparkling Wine of the Year
Rating: 94 Points
“Bon Courage’s bubblies are not as well known outside South Africa as they deserve to be. This appealingly mature, bone-dry Chardonnay has very fine bubbles and layers of dried mushroom, citrus and patisserie. Long, detailed, complex and refreshing. And all for R205. 2020-23” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Bon Courage Jacques Bruère Brut Reserve MCC 2012
Rating: 93 Points
“Pinot Noir-led, with 40% Chardonnay for company, this is a bubbly whose base wine is partially wood fermented. Weighty, rich and powerful by the elegant standards of Jacques Bruwer’s fizzes, this has flavours of toast, honey and baking spices and a fresh, mineral-etched finish. 2020-23” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Bon Courage Jacques Bruère Cuvée Rosé Brut MCC 2012
Rating: 93 Points
“Superb value, like all of the Bon Courage bubblies, this bronze-pink rosé is a cuvée of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that spent 60 months on lees before disgorgement. Savoury, dry and showing some wood influence, it has lovely wild strawberry and spice notes and a fine, refreshing finish. 2020-23” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Bon Courage Pinotage 2017
Rating: 89 Points
Bon Courage Prestige Cuvée Chardonnay 2020
Rating: 88 Points
Jordan Cobblers Hill 2017
Rating: 94 Points
“The blend changes from year to year - it’s Cabernet Sauvignon-based with 42% Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc in 2017 - but this is always among the best Bordeaux red blends from Stellenbosch. Serious, layered and savoury, with very fine tannins, new oak sweetness and lovely line and length. 2023-20” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2018
Rating: 93 Points
“Always a crowd-pleasing style, this 70% new wood fermented Chardonnay nods towards California rather than Burgundy. Textured, concentrated and showing flavours of butterscotch, stone fruit and honey, it’s balanced by just the right amount of acidity. 2020-25” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Jordan The Timepiece Chenin Blanc 2019
Rating: 92 Points
“New to the Jordan range, but sourced from a vineyard planted in 1983 with the so-called Montpellier clone from France, this is a welcome addition to the swelling ranks of the Old Vine Project. Spicy, concentrated and very lightly wooded, with extra complexity and structure from amphora fermentation. 2021-26” Tim Atkin
Jordan The Real McCoy Riesling 2019
Rating: 92 Points
“Just off dry at 7.7 grams of residual sugar, this is one of a number of classy, under-valued Rieslings in the Cape. Stony, pithy and engagingly aromatic, it has lime and struck match flavours and some balancing sweetness. Pure, refreshing and long on the palate. 2021-25” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Jordan The Long Fuse Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Rating: 92 Points
“New to the Jordan range, but sourced from a vineyard planted in 1983 with the so-called Montpellier clone from France, this is a welcome addition to the swelling ranks of the Old Vine Project. Spicy, concentrated and very lightly wooded, with extra complexity and structure from amphora fermentation. 2021-26” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Jordan The Outlier Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Rating: 92 Points
“Ambitious stuff from Sjaak Nelson and the Jordans, this is a very stylish, 10% new oak-fermented white that combines creamy lees with pink grapefruit and subtle toast. A well-priced Sauvignon Blanc that ages convincingly in bottle. 2020-24” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Jordan Barrel-Fermented Chardonnay 2019
Rating: 91 Points
“The alcohol is a little lighter than it has been in some recent vintages, but this remains a full-flavoured style of Chardonnay that’s rich, creamy and intense, with stone fruit and toffee fudge notes and good supporting acidity. 2020-24” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Jordan The Insiders Cabernet Franc 2018
Rating: 91 Points
“Sourced from vines at 350 metres in Stellenbosch Kloof, this is an aromatic, deftly wooded Cabernet Franc showing plenty of varietal aroma and flavour. Herbal, racy and refreshing, with a backdrop of tannin and acidity and the concentration to age. 2022-26” Tim Atkin
Jordan Inspector Péringuey Chenin Blanc 2019
Rating: 89 Points
Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2017
White Bordeaux Blends Wines of the Year
Rating: 95 Points
“Always among the best white Bordeaux blends in the Cape, this is especially impressive in 2017, one of the best recent vintages in South Africa. Combining Sauvignon Blanc with 31% Semillon, it’s herbal, complex and layered, with some smoky wood undertones and flavours of toast and pink grapefruit. 2020-25” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Tokara Director’s Reserve Red 2017
Red Bordeaux Blends Wines of the Year
Rating: 95 Points
“Part of a very impressive current range from Tokara, this is every bit as good as the Director’s White. Marrying Cabernet Sauvignon with 27% Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, aged in 54% new wood, it’s refined, elegant and leafy, with on point tannins, wonderful freshness, stylish oak spice and the structure to age further in bottle. 2022-29” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Rating: 94 Points
“‘Stellenbosch and Cabernet Sauvignon are synonymous,’ says Karl Lambour. ‘You get finesse in this area.’ You do indeed, especially in a vintage like 2017. Aged in 44% new wood, this is a textbook expression of the grape, all dried herbs, mint and blackcurrant leaf, with fine tannins, impressive focus and depth and stylish oak. 2022-29” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Tokara Reserve Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Rating: 93 Points
“Six different blocks in Elgin contribute fruit for this very lightly wooded Sauvignon Blanc, produced in what Karl Lambour calls a “beautiful white wine vintage”. Saline, peppery and bone dry, with some cream from five months on lees, this is long, pithy and very impressive. 2020-24” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Tokara Reserve Collection Chardonnay 2019
Rating: 93 Points
“Chardonnay often slips under the radar at Tokara, such is the impressive quality of the rest of the range. Essentially a single vineyard wine located at 360 metres, this is a brilliant first release from Stuart Botha: mealy, taut and well balanced, with subtle, flinty reduction, scented 36% new wood and some texture from 40% malolactic. 2020-25” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Tokara Reserve Collection Syrah 2016
Rating: 93 Points
“This delicious Syrah - a big improvement on the 2015 - comes from a single steep site on a mix of decomposed granite and sandstone. With 25% whole bunches and 20% new wood, it’s meaty and intense with notes of incense and rosemary, grippy tannins and a fine, refreshing finish. 2020-26” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Edgebaston David Finlayson Camino Africana Chenin Blanc 2019
Rating: 94 Points
“David Finlayson uses fruit from two old bush vine Chenin Blanc vineyards in Stellenbosch, planted in 1947 and 1961, to make this nuanced, complex white. Eschewing malolactic to retain focus, it’s leesy, intense and poised, with some stony grip, thatch and citrus aromas and a long, waxy finish. 2021-27” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Edgebaston David Finlayson Camino Africana Cabernet Franc 2017
Rating: 91 Points
“David Finlayson sources this serious Cabernet France from alluvial soils in Somerset West, which remind him of the Médoc. At the riper, richer end of the spectrum, with plum, cassis and mulberry flavours, firm tannins and some leafy, cut grass top notes. 2022-27” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Edgebaston David Finlayson Chardonnay 2019
Rating: 90 Points
“Now into its 13th vintage with a style that mixes weight and freshness, David Finlayson’s Stellenbosch Chardonnay uses grapes from four different vineyards. Mealy and yeasty, with patisserie, citrus and stone fruit flavours and well-integrated 10% new oak. 2021-24” Tim Atkin
Edgebaston The Pepper Pot 2018
Rating: 90 Points
“Great value from David Finlayson, this is (almost) the South African equivalent of a Côtes du Rhône blend, marrying Syrah with 43% Mourvèdre, Tannat, Cinsault, Grenache and Carignan. Light, floral and spicy, with a hint of wood, red berry fruit and subtle reduction. 2020-23” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Edgebaston David Finlayson Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Rating: 89 Points
Edgebaston David Finlayson Camino Africana Pinot Noir Reserve 2018
Rating: 89 Points
Edgebaston David Finlayson Pinot Noir 2017
Rating: 89 Points
Edgebaston GS Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Rating: 89 Points
South African reds are evolving in style and it’s mostly for the better. Niels Verburg’s Luddite brand has a very loyal following. Consumers are attracted by the style of the wines, the bear of the man himself and the idea of the English textile workers who opposed and destroyed new technology in the 19th century. Luddite is all about minimal intervention, or as Verburg puts it, “keeping it simple”, with the emphasis on natural fermentations and old wood.
South African red wines have changed radically in the last 30 years, becoming more Luddite-like, as it were.
Luddite Saboteur White 2019
Rating: 92 Points
“Like the Luddite Chenin Blanc, the white blend has moved towards a lighter, fresher style in recent vintages. Chenin Blanc-based with support from 26% Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, this is handled oxidatively with some skin fermented components, leesy intensity, plenty of grip and flavours of quince, apple and lime. 2021-24” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Luddite Saboteur Red 2017
Rating: 92 Points
“Saboteur wouldn’t be Saboteur without 15% alcohol, but this cuvée of Shiraz with 47% Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache (the last from the 2018 vintage to provide some freshness and lift) is full-bodied rather than over-ripe with red berry and Mediterranean herb flavours and well-handled 40% new wood. 2021-25” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Chamonix Troika Reserve 2017
Rating: 94 Points
“Troika comes from parcels all over the farm at Chamonix and is a blend of mostly Cabernet Franc with 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Serious and structured, it’s very much a cool climate style with graphite, fynbos and red berry fruit and firmish, savoury tannins. Up a point since I tasted it last year, this is an appealingly complex cuvée. 2021-27” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Chamonix Chardonnay Reserve 2018
Rating: 93 Points
“Chamonix’s Reserve comes from two of the older parcels on this remarkable property (Blocks 8 and 10), located at 400 metres and planted in 1994 and 1996. The 45% new wood has integrated since I tasted it from tank a year ago, complementing the citrus, honey and peach flavours and the texture and weight from 100% malolactic. 2021-25” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Chamonix Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2020
Rating: 93 Points
“New to the range at Chamonix, but made with grapes from the oldest block on the farm, planted in 1965, this impressive first release has aromas of citrus and saffron, apple and oatmeal flavours, chiselled acidity, some stone fruit sweetness and just a hint of oak. 2021-26” Tim Atkin
Chamonix Cabernet Franc 2018
Rating: 93 Points
“Neil Bruwer’s Cabernet Franc comes from 26-year-old vines at 320 to 350 metres, which is quite low for Chamonix. Ripe, intense and plush, this carries its 14.5% alcohol lightly and has appealing violet and cut grass aromas, fine tannnins, plum and bramble fruit and stylish oak integration. 2021-26” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Chamonix Greywacke Pinotage 2017
Rating: 93 Points
“Around a third of this distinctive Pinotage is made in a “semi-ripasso” style, where it was refermented on skins. The result is a lightly wooded, succulent, aromatic Pinotage with some tobacco spice, racy acidity and underlying grip and tannin. Fifteen per cent Pinot Noir adds some savoury complexity to the mix. 2021-25” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Chamonix Pinot Noir Reserve 2018
Rating: 93 Points
“Low-yielding terraced blocks between 600 and 620 metres at the top of the estate supply the fruit for this spicy, savoury, serious Pinot Noir, which needs another year or two in bottle. Grippy and layered, it’s a red with two eyes on the future, plenty of sweet raspberry and black cherry fruit and plenty of structure and grip. 2022-26” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Chamonix Chardonnay 2018
Rating: 92 Points
“Sourced from two of Chamonix’s six Chardonnay blocks, both of them comparatively recently planted, this toasty, honeyed white is made with full malolactic and 25% new wood. Textured, forward and appealing, with nectarine and orange peel flavours, spicy oak and refreshing acidity. 2021-23” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Chamonix Reserve White 2018
Rating: 92 Points
“Now bottled after my tasting from tank last year, this has fulfilled its promise. It’s a stylish cuvée of Sauvignon Blanc with 30% Semillon that has plenty of texture and weight, some spice and herbal notes, tangy, pink grapefruit acidity and subtle toast. Very well structured for a 2018. 2020-26” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Chamonix Feldspar Pinot Noir 2018
Rating: 90 Points
“Feldspar is always made with the younger Pinot Noir blocks at Chamonix, which means between eight and 20 years, situated at up to 620 metres. With 35% new wood, this is a racy, juicy, succulent red with a backdrop of savoury tannins and refreshing acidity. Firmer than it was a year ago. 2021-24” Tim Atkin - Tasting Note
Chamonix Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Rating: 89 Points