In addition to the Top 10, a further 57 rated 90 points or higher on the 100-point quality scale - that equates to 76.1% or more than three-quarters at or above the crucial 90-point threshold.
The 10 best wines overall were as follows:
Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Cape Town 2018
DeMorgenzon Reserve 2018
Lievland Old Vine 2019
Mulderbosch Steen op Hout 2019
Raats Family Wines Eden High Density Single Vineyard 2018
Schultz Family Wines Skeleton Bay 2019
Simonsig Chenin Avec Chêne 2017
Stellenrust 2019
Villion Henning 2018
Vrede en Lust Kogelberg 2017
“Quite a few commentators are inclined to argue that Chenin Blanc is South Africa’s best category overall and this result definitely bears that thinking out,” says Christian Eedes, chairman of the tasting panel and Winemag.co.za editor.
In addition to reviewing single-variety Chenin Blanc, the panel also looked at Cape White Blends, our working definition of this category being wines made from any combination of varieties as long as they include a significant Chenin Blanc component, specifically more than 15% and less than 85%.
The 10 best blends overall were as follows:
Cavalli Cremello 2017
DeMorgenzon Maestro White 2017
Eenzaamheid Vin Blanc 2019
Essay Chenin Blanc Viognier Roussanne 2019
Joostenberg Fairhead 2019
Lammershoek Terravinum Reserve White 2016
Lammershoek's White Mysteries 2017
The Tea Leaf 2018 (Strange Kompanjie)
The Fledge & Co. Vagabond 2018
Van Wyk Family Wines Olivia Grace 2018
To read more, go to Winemag.co.za
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