Tim Atkin 2026 Special Report

Tim Atkin has released his fourteenth South Africa Special Report, continuing his in-depth look at the country’s wine industry and its evolving reputation on the international stage.

This year, Tim tasted 1,831 wines from 351 producers, with 1,420 wines scoring 90 points or more. Of these, 247 wines scored 95 points or above, including one wine at 100 points, one at 99, 18 at 98 and 33 at 97 points.

"South Africa is still improving with every vintage, especially in outstanding ones like 2015, 2017 and 2025." – Tim Atkin, MW

Congratulations to the wineries from our portfolio who were recognised in this year’s report. With a number of our wines achieving 95 points and above, these results are a wonderful reflection of the quality and continued progress of the producers we are proud to represent. We are especially proud of Mullineux Olerasay Straw Wine º6 for being awarded overall Sweet Wine of the Year.

The following wines from our portfolio were selected as wines of the year in their respective categories.

White Wines of the Year :

Mullineux Granite Chenin Blanc 2025 - 98 Points

Capensis Fijnbosch Chardonnay 2022 - 97 Points

Leeu Passant Chardonnay 2024 - 97 Points

Stellenrust ArtiSons The Mothership Chenin Blanc 2025 - 97 Points

Ken Forrester Dirty Little Secret Six - 96 Points

Meerlust Chardonnay 2025 - 95 Points

Clüver Prieur Colline du Matin 2025 - 95 Points

Mullineux Iron Chenin Blanc 2025 - 95 Points

Mullineux Schist Chenin Blanc 2025 - 95 Points

Tokara Director's Reserve White 2023 - 95 Points

Capensis Chardonnay 2023 95 - Points

Stellenrust Secrets and Lies Chenin Blanc 2025 - 95 Points
 

Red Wines of the Year :

Tokara Telos  2020 97 Points

Mullineux Schist Syrah 2024 97 Points

Delaire Graff The Banghoek 2022 96 Points

Leeu Passant Old Vines Wellington Cinsault 2024 96 Points

Leeu Passant The Leeu Passant 2023 96 Points

Meerlust Rubicon 2023 96 Points

Stellenrust ArtiSons Blueberry Hill Shiraz 2024 96 Points

Delaire Graff Laurence Graff Reserve 2022 95 Points

Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmond 2022 95 Points

Warwick Cabernet Franc 2023 95 Points

 

Sweet Wines of the Year :

Mullineux Olerasay Straw Wine º6 - 98 Points

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2023 - 97 Points

Mullineux Straw Wine 2025 - 96 Points