Results of the Pinot Noir Challenge 2025

Wednesday, 17 September, 2025

Pinot Noir Challenge

The cool slopes of the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley produced two of the highest-scoring wines at the Pinot Noir Challenge 2025.

Pinot Noir is often described as the most transparent of grapes. It reveals not only its place of origin but also the hand of the winemaker, rewarding finesse and patience while punishing excess. At this year’s Pinot Noir Challenge by Events by Celia, the judging panel was unanimous: South African Pinot Noir has reached a level of maturity where it no longer asks for allowances. These are wines of conviction, delicacy and typicity, and they stand proudly alongside examples from the world’s established regions.

The Pinot Noir wines were judged blind by Clive Torr, Cape Wine Master; Janine van Zyl, sommelier and Cape Wine Master; and Suzaan Potgieter, editor of Die Burger Versnit. The judging was audited by Cecil Kilpin & Co.

A word from Janine van Zyl CWM

The wines showed purity, clarity and elegance across the board. Aromas of cherry, raspberry, strawberry and plum were lifted by florals and spice, while the finest examples layered in savoury earth and forest floor. Texture was where many shone brightest. The top performers carried supple fruit wrapped around taut acidity, with tannins so fine they felt like silk threads. Oak use, once a common pitfall, was more restrained this year, lending quiet support without masking the variety’s perfume.

What made this challenge particularly exciting was the breadth of origins represented. The cool slopes of the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley produced two of the highest-scoring wines, marked by vibrancy and length. Franschhoek confirmed its growing reputation for Pinot Noir with wines of polish and detail, while Walker Bay delivered consistency across multiple entries, proving why it remains a benchmark. Elgin contributed finely etched wines with precision and lift, while Breedekloof surprised with a riper, yet still balanced, expression. Even Lower Duivenhoks River and Stellenbosch added their voices, underscoring Pinot Noir's adaptability when grown in carefully chosen sites.

The overall calibre was outstanding. There were no faulty wines, only varying shades of expression. The Gold medalists stood out for their completeness: wines that were harmonious, textural and layered, wines that left the panel confident they would both drink beautifully now and develop gracefully with time in the bottle. The Silver medalists, too, impressed with their charm and varietal clarity. Together, the results reflect a category in full stride.

As a sommelier and judge, what struck me most was the confidence of style. These wines are no longer tentative or imitative. They are distinctly South African in accent, yet they carry the elegance, nuance and finesse that make Pinot Noir such a beloved grape all over the world.