Top 30 South African Wines
The Top 100 by James Suckling 2022
The famously notorious wine critic James Suckling reviewed over 800 South African wines in 2022 and has now published his Top 100.
His conclusion: South Africa is developing into a major white wine producer, with Chenin Blanc being among the top performers in the tasting. The holy grail of Chenin Blanc, the Loire Valley in France, is even surpassed in terms of quality! Discover our Top 30 Cape Wines now!
This year, James Suckling's team had the pleasure of visiting South Africa and driving through its most important wine regions, speaking with winemakers, studying terroirs, and literally tasting the soils. The country welcomed them with incredible landscapes and diverse wine regions: breathtaking Constantia, beautiful Stellenbosch, and stunning Franschhoek. However, our best South African wine of 2022 comes from Swartland, like many of the other top wines on this list. At first glance, the extreme conditions of the region do not seem to invite easy viticulture. But the array of successful and open-minded winemakers found there have firmly planted their vines in the dry and wild land, and the peculiarities of the terroir can lead to excellent wines.
No wine reflects this better than James Suckling's Wine of the Year for South Africa, the David & Nadia Chenin Blanc Swartland Skaliekap Single Vineyard Wine 2021 . Owners and winemakers, David and Nadia Sadie, work primarily with old bush vines, grown organically in various locations throughout Swartland and on different soil types. Their Skaliekap vineyard in Paardeberg lies on shallow slate soils over granite rock and has been designated a certified heritage vineyard with its Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1985.
Rank 1
Vintage 2021
97 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
DAVID & NADIA
Skaliekop – 2020
CHF 75.00
The exceptional Skaliekap 2021 has a complex and concentrated character, while also showing the freshness and elegance of crisp stone fruit, white tea, and citrus zest. It is also long and silky with a nutty aftertaste. David Sadie said he aims to produce a wine that exudes a structural expression while reflecting its terroir, enhanced by precise work with yeast and exact aging. He has succeeded here with a truly world-class wine.
Rank 2
Vintage 2019
97 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Special Offer
KLEIN CONSTANTIA
Vin de Constance – 2016
CHF 69.00 instead of 89.00
Klein Constantia, a gem nestled in the foothills of Constantiaberg mountain, where winemaker Matthew Day and winemaker Craig Harris guided us through a winery that produces a dessert wine among the best in the world. The Klein Constantia Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine 2019 is exceptional – complex and balanced with such a broad spectrum of aromas, from dried sweet stone and tropical fruits to spicy, floral, and even earthy notes. It is dense and energetic, with clean and precise acidity and will last for decades.
All Top Cape Wines
by James Suckling 2022
Rank 6
Vintage 2021
94 Points by James Suckling
Rall
Chein Blanc Ava – 2021
CHF 55.00
Rank 8
Vintage 2018
95 Points by James Suckling
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
UVA MIRA
Chardonnay Single Tree – 2018
CHF 54.00 instead of 69.00
Rank 11
Vintage 2020
95 Points by James Suckling
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
PORSELEINBERG
Boekenhoutskloof – 2020
CHF 79.00 instead of 99.00
Rank 12
Vintage 2021
95 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Six Pack Special – from 6 bottles
ANWILKA
– 2017
CHF 39.90 instead of 49.00
Rank 13
Vintage 2020
94 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Six Pack Special – from 6 bottles
VILAFONTÉ
Series M – 2019
CHF 65.00 instead of 79.00
Rank 14
Vintage 2020
94 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF
Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek – 2019
CHF 47.90 instead of 65.00
Rank 15
Vintage 2020
96 Points by James Suckling
Special Offer
BOUCHARD FINLAYSON
Pinot Noir Tete de Cuvée – 2020
CHF 109.00 instead of 135.00
Rank 16
Vintage 2021
97 Points by James Suckling
EBEN SADIE
Columella – 2020
CHF 125.0
Rank 18
Vintage 2019
93 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
LE RICHE
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – 2018
CHF 44.00 instead of 59.00
Rank 20
Vintage 2019
94 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Special Offer
L’AVENIR
Pinotage Single Block – 2018
CHF 39.90 instead of 49.90
Rank 22
Vintage 2019
94 Points by James Suckling
ATARAXIA
Pinot Noir Whole Bunch Cluster – 2020
CHF 69.00
Rank 24
Vintage 2020
94 Points by James Suckling
Six Pack Special – from 6 bottles
BOUCHARD FINLAYSON
Pinot Noir Galpin Peak – 2020
CHF 39.00 instead of 49.00
Rank 25
Vintage 2017
94 Points by James Suckling
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
CONSTANTIA GLEN
FIVE – 2017
CHF 49.90 instead of 65.00
Rank 26
Vintage 2021
93 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Special Offer
HAMILTON RUSSEL
Pino Noir – 2020
CHF 59.00 instead of 69.00
Rank 27
Vintage 2021
94 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
VAN LOGGERENBERG
Syrah Craft – 2019
CHF 49.00
Rank 28
Vintage 2016
94 Points by James Suckling
Special Offer
LONGRIDGE
Merlot Misterie – 2016
CHF 139.00 instead of 189.00
Place 29
Vintage 2019
94 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
RALL
Cinsault – 2020
CHF 22.90 instead of 32.00
Place 30
Vintage 2020
94 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
VILAFONTÉ
Series C – 2019
CHF 99.00 instead of 119.00
Place 41
Vintage 2021
96 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
DAVID & NADIA
Chenin Blanc Plat’bos – 2020
CHF 75.00
Place 42
Vintage 2021
94 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
DAVID & NADIA
Aristargos – 2020
CHF 23.90 instead of 34.90
Place 46
Vintage 2021
93 Points by James Suckling
Six Pack Special – from 6 bottles
RALL
Chenin Blanc NOA – 2021
CHF 44.00 instead of 55.00
Place 48
Vintage 2017
93 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Special Offer
DEMORGENZON
Syrah Reserve – 2015
CHF 32.00 instead of 39.00
Place 52
Vintage 2019
93 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
DEMORGENZON
Chardonnay Reserve – 2020
CHF 29.90 instead of 39.00
Place 56
Vintage 2021
93 Points by James Suckling
SAVAGE
Never Been Asked To Dance – 2021
CHF 35.00
Place 57
Vintage 2020
93 Points by James Suckling
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF
Semillion – 2020
CHF 34.90 instead of 44.00
Place 58
Vintage 2021
93 Points by James Suckling
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
ATARAXIA
Chardonnay – 2021
CHF 27.90 instead of 39.00
Place 59
Vintage 2019
93 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
KERSHAW
Chardonnay – 2018
CHF 39.00 instead of 54.90
Place 60
Vintage 2017
93 Points by James Suckling
BEST HIT
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
GLENELLY
Lady May – 2016
CHF 34.90 instead of 49.00
Discover the original article by James Suckling now.
All prices in CHF incl. VAT. Daily price from 27.01.2023.
Offers are valid while supplies last. Errors and price changes reserved.
