Tim Atkin Rating
South Africa Special Reports
Tim Atkin MW is a British Master of Wine, wine journalist, critic, photographer and commentator of international renown. For decades, he has been one of the most influential voices in the wine world.
He writes for Decanter, Harpers and The World of Fine Wine, among others, is a regular judge at international wine competitions and co-chairman of the International Wine Challenge.
In addition to writing, Atkin also dedicates himself to photography – his wine and landscape photos have been published in The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph, among others.
His approach is not only analytical, but also narrative: he combines meticulous sensory analysis with stories about terroir, winemakers, regions and trends.
Atkin has received numerous awards for his journalistic work – including the renowned Glenfiddich Wine Writer Award several times, and repeated prizes for wine bloggers, online communication and wine journalism.
His Special Reports, especially those on South Africa, are considered standard works when it comes to illuminating the development, diversity and quality of a wine region with sound knowledge and a wide reach.
Overview & Methodology
- In his South Africa Special Reports, Tim Atkin tastes hundreds to over two thousand wines from various producers each year, travels through all wine regions of the Western Cape, and collects data, ratings and impressions on site.
- The reports combine classic tasting notes, point ratings (typically with a threshold of 90+ points), rankings of producers, commented trends, and supplementary content such as restaurant tips, cellar door experiences, and thematic essays.
- Atkin often chooses an intersection: he typically focuses on wines that have scored over 90 points, and particularly on top wines (95+ points as a "gold medal" equivalent).
With his unique perspective on South Africa's wine world, Tim Atkin has not only identified trends over the years, but has also helped to sustainably change the international perception of Cape winemaking. His reports are now an indispensable reference work for winemakers, specialist retailers, sommeliers and wine lovers alike. Whether established top wineries or exciting newcomers - Atkin highlights the entire diversity and shows why South Africa is one of the most exciting wine regions in the world.
Discover now the top-rated wines by Tim Atkin
Tim Atkin Rating
South Africa Special Report 2024
South Africa is writing wine history – and Tim Atkin MW is documenting it. In his South Africa Special Report 2024, the world-renowned wine critic impressively shows why the Cape is one of the most exciting wine regions in the world today.
British Master of Wine Tim Atkin travels to the Cape every year to scrutinize South Africa's wine scene. His South Africa Special Report 2024 spans a proud 332 pages with over 110,000 words – one of the most comprehensive editions to date.
During his tasting trip, Atkin tasted 2,259 wines from 427 producers. Of these, 1,570 brands scored over 90 points, and a remarkable 217 wines were awarded more than 95 points – an impressive testament to the steadily increasing quality at the Cape.
Particularly noteworthy:
- For the second time in a row, Atkin awarded the magical top score of 100 points – this time to the Alheit "Nautical Dawn" Chenin Blanc.
- Three other wines achieved 99 points, and numerous others excelled with 95+.
- This confirms once again that Chenin Blanc and Syrah are among South Africa's strongest assets.
But the report is much more than just a list of points:
Tim Atkin analyzes trends, vintages, and developments. From the advantages of the 2017 and 2021 vintages to current challenges such as sustainability, climate change, and vineyard management. He also pays tribute to producers, winemakers, viticulturists, as well as outstanding "Cellar Door" experiences and restaurants.
With his report, Atkin provides a comprehensive overview of South Africa's wine world, which moves between tradition and innovation. From classics like Stellenbosch or Swartland to emerging regions like Elgin or Ceres Plateau – the diversity is greater than ever.
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Tim Atkin Rating
South Africa Special Report 2023
The eighth largest wine producer in the world – South Africa, is honored in a legendary 317-page special report by world-renowned wine critic Tim Atkin.
In March and June 2023, renowned wine critic Tim Atkin spent more than 4 weeks at the Cape, with the aim of tasting 2206 wines from 419 wine producers. His latest Special Report on South Africa includes tasting notes for 1537 brands that scored more than 90 Tim Atkin points. However, it also includes detailed analyses of the current South African wine scene, such as a list of the best restaurants and the controversial annual classification of the top 300 producers. And as is typical for Tim Atkin, he also reveals his favorite wines.
A gold medal was awarded to 201 wines that scored more than 95 points. In 2023, there is a highlight of the year, as Tim Atkin rated a special wine with 100 points and three other wines with 99 points. As he himself writes, the excellent results confirm that South Africa is producing the best wines in its history. He particularly highlights the 2017 and 2021 vintages.
Chenin Blanc and Syrah performed strongest, but among his top wines there are dozens of different styles. The diversity of the Cape is one of its trump cards.
Discover now what lies behind Tim Atkin's ratings and which wines shone in South Africa. We can already reveal that the wine with the 100-point rating can also be found in our range!
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Tim Atkin Rating
South Africa Special Report 2022
One of the world's greatest wine critics, Tim Atkin, dedicates 316 pages with over 95,000 words to a single country – South Africa, one of the most exciting wine nations in the world!
During a four-week visit in March, June, and July of this year, Tim Atkin had the proud task of tasting 2,282 wines from 433 wineries and traveling thousands of kilometers across the Western Cape from Piekenierskloof to the Agulhas Triangle. But that's not all, as 195 wines were rated by him with more than 95 points, which corresponds to a gold medal. He also notes that among them is a remarkably diverse range with several new producers.
Tim Atkin reports that he was very impressed by the quality of his tasting. He was particularly impressed by the 2017 and 2021 vintages. In his opinion, 2017 deserves its place as the best Cape vintage of all time. But his gut feeling tells him that 2021 is on par and could surpass 2017.
Stellenbosch has defended its position as the outstanding region at the Cape, closely followed by Swartland, which received Tim Atkin's highest ratings. But there are also exciting wines from all corners of South Africa, including Malgas, Montagu, and the Ceres Plateau.
Discover now what lies behind Tim Atkin's ratings and which wines shone in South Africa.
Discover Tim Atkin's paid report for 2022 now.
