Johan Reyneke of Reyneke Wines, Rosa Kruger, founder of the Old Vine Project, Tim Atkin MW and Roland Peens, fine wine advisor, Strauss & Co.
Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West was the beautiful venue for the highly anticipated launch of the 13th annual Tim Atkin South Africa Special Report – a definitive commentary on South African wine – on Tuesday, 2 September 2025.
Private Clients by Old Mutual Wealth presented the event, in association with Wine Cellar and Strauss & Co.
This occasion was a rare opportunity to meet Tim Atkin MW in person and taste his Wines of the Year, selected from over 200 exceptional wines that each scored 95 points or more in the 2025 report.
Atkin reported that he sampled 2 000 wines from 425 South African wineries to write his thirteenth annual overview. This resulted in 212 wines receiving 95 points or more this year, “my equivalent of a gold medal”.
“I sincerely hope that the reviews and scores in my forthcoming report, as well as the Medals of Excellence given to wines that have scored more than 90 points, will ensure that more people are made aware of the outstanding quality of South African wines,” he said. “More than ever, we need to tell the world what’s happening in the Cape.”
10 Vergelegen wines received 90 points or more in the 2025 Tim Atkin SA Special Report:
- 2023 V - 95 points
- 2023 Estate Red - 94 points
- 2024 Estate White - 94 points
- 2024 Chardonnay Reserve - 93 points
- 2023 Merlot Reserve - 93 points
- 2023 Mill Race Red - 92 points
- 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - 91 points
- 2022 Merlot Reserve - 91 points
- 2024 Florence Rosé - 91 points
- 2024 Wild Winds Sauvignon Blanc - 90 points
Vergelegen wines are stocked by major distributors countrywide and available via their online store.