The exciting annual deep dive into the South African wine industry by Tim Atkin has just been released. If you are interested in the world of wine, I would recommend you buy a copy of this report. Insightful and interesting takes on our small, but important industry, which is facing challenges on many new levels.
This year we had 6 wines scoring 90+ points:
90 Points – Beaumont Chenin Blanc 2025
Dominated by fruit from Bot River, with a 25% contribution from Elgin and Villiersdorp, this is a youthful, hauntingly floral young Chenin Blanc that’s good to drink now but will improve in bottle. Stony acidity complements a palate of pear and yellow apple and a touch of peachy sweetness. 2025-28
95 Points – Beaumont Hope Marguerite OVP Chenin Blanc 2024
Consistently among the best Chenin Blancs in South Africa, Hope Marguerite hails from two Old Vine Project vineyards on the farm, planted in 1974 and 1978. Focused, layered and effortlessly complex, it has remarkable depth and precision, perfumed 15% new oak and engaging quince, citrus and apricot fruit. 2026-33
94 Points – Beaumont OVP New Baby 2023
First made in 2015 – the maiden release is still showing very well – New Baby is a judicious blend of equal parts Sauvignon Blanc and Colombard and 43% Chenin Blanc, all three of them from old vines. Racy, crunchy and acid driven, it has lime, grapefruit and white peach flavours, impressive mid-palate texture and a mineral core. 2026-31
93 Points – Beaumont Far Side Mourvèdre 2022
Sebastian Beaumont is among the biggest Mourvèdre fans in the Cape, using it in blends as well as on its own. Avoiding the elephant trap of excessive extraction, this is savoury, earthy and complex, with liquorice and hot stone aromas and layers of plum, bramble and black cherry. 2027-33
90 – Points Beaumont Vitruvian 2020
Vitruvian is a unique Bot River assemblage of Syrah, 29% Mourvèdre, 23% Pinotage, 11% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Meaty, firm and intense, it’s a wine that has more road ahead of it, with layers of blackberry, cranberry and vanilla spice and some underlying grip. 2026-31
94 Points – Beaumont CWG Arturo’s Pinotage 2023
A first release from Sebastian Beaumont under the Cape Winemakers’ Guild aegis, this comes from a single, 49-year-old block on the farm in Bot River. Perfumed, graceful and textured, it has a hint of stony reduction, savoury tannins, deftly handled oak and a core of plum, bramble and summer pudding. 2026-32