| Vintage | Score | Drink Window | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vintage2019 |
Score89 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionSmallest crop in nearly 20 years, due to post-drought conditions as well as warmer- or wetter-than-average periods during the growing season. Top producers selected high quality fruit, resulting in wines of good intensity and balance (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionSmallest crop in nearly 20 years, due to post-drought conditions as well as warmer- or wetter-than-average periods during the growing season. Top producers selected high quality fruit, resulting in wines of good intensity and balance (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2018 |
Score92 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionDrought was again the primary factor, drastically reducing yields, yet the dry conditions and lower disease pressure, coupled with the lower yields, helped concentrate the berries. Ripe overall, but top producers preserved freshness (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionDrought was again the primary factor, drastically reducing yields, yet the dry conditions and lower disease pressure, coupled with the lower yields, helped concentrate the berries. Ripe overall, but top producers preserved freshness (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2017 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionAnother drought year, with low yields, but without major heat waves. Lower temperatures at night helped retain acidity and slow sugar development, while phenolics kept developing. Wines are graceful yet expressive and complex (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionAnother drought year, with low yields, but without major heat waves. Lower temperatures at night helped retain acidity and slow sugar development, while phenolics kept developing. Wines are graceful yet expressive and complex (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2016 |
Score88 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionWildly hot and extremely dry vintage caused problems, with many growers picking early. Dry-farmed areas suffered; wildfires hurt producers in Simonsberg-Stellenbosch. Inconsistent overall, with some successes; yields markedly lower (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionWildly hot and extremely dry vintage caused problems, with many growers picking early. Dry-farmed areas suffered; wildfires hurt producers in Simonsberg-Stellenbosch. Inconsistent overall, with some successes; yields markedly lower (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2015 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionWarm, dry season throughout the Cape’s myriad regions led to a very consistent vintage, with even ripening and no disease pressure or damaging heat spikes; the only hiccup was producers who picked too early, before phenolic maturity (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionWarm, dry season throughout the Cape’s myriad regions led to a very consistent vintage, with even ripening and no disease pressure or damaging heat spikes; the only hiccup was producers who picked too early, before phenolic maturity (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2014 |
Score87 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionA very wet spring led to a generally cool, wet growing season that resulted in a late-running harvest with many varieties ripening at the same time. Whites harvested under good conditions in February, later-ripening reds more variable (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionA very wet spring led to a generally cool, wet growing season that resulted in a late-running harvest with many varieties ripening at the same time. Whites harvested under good conditions in February, later-ripening reds more variable (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2013 |
Score89 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionA strong start to the season and excellent late-season weather, but humidity midway led to some disease pressure. Reds variable from producer to producer, with the best showing an elegant style; crop about 10 percent larger than usual (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionA strong start to the season and excellent late-season weather, but humidity midway led to some disease pressure. Reds variable from producer to producer, with the best showing an elegant style; crop about 10 percent larger than usual (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2012 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionA cool, dry start led to a smaller-than-usual crop, though ripening occurred under moderate temperatures. Reds show polish and ripeness, with lower alcohols; whites are fresh and delineated. Similar to 2011, with extra concentration (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionA cool, dry start led to a smaller-than-usual crop, though ripening occurred under moderate temperatures. Reds show polish and ripeness, with lower alcohols; whites are fresh and delineated. Similar to 2011, with extra concentration (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2011 |
Score90 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionFollowing another dry winter, windy and dry conditions persisted through the growing season, though temperatures were moderate; wines are concentrated, but still fresh and racy (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionFollowing another dry winter, windy and dry conditions persisted through the growing season, though temperatures were moderate; wines are concentrated, but still fresh and racy (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2010 |
Score87 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionCold, wet winter resulted in late budbreak, with windy weather during flowering leading to reduced yields and a wet growing season causing some disease pressures. Late-season dryness and warmth helped save vintage, but beware of inconsistencies (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionCold, wet winter resulted in late budbreak, with windy weather during flowering leading to reduced yields and a wet growing season causing some disease pressures. Late-season dryness and warmth helped save vintage, but beware of inconsistencies (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2009 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionFollowing the growing season's typical heat wave, moderate temperatures and well-timed rains extended the harvest into April and May. Very consistent for reds and whites in warm inland areas and cooler coastal spots (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionFollowing the growing season's typical heat wave, moderate temperatures and well-timed rains extended the harvest into April and May. Very consistent for reds and whites in warm inland areas and cooler coastal spots (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2008 |
Score87 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionA late-flowering, wet spring and intermittent heat spikes during the growing season led to a challenging year. Vineyard management was crucial for success; reds and whites have lower-than-usual alcohols and lighter-bodied textures (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionA late-flowering, wet spring and intermittent heat spikes during the growing season led to a challenging year. Vineyard management was crucial for success; reds and whites have lower-than-usual alcohols and lighter-bodied textures (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2007 |
Score88 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionUp-and-down growing season marked by a heat wave in late January. Most whites and early-ripening reds (Pinot Noir, Merlot) harvested in sweltering conditions; later-ripening reds (Syrah, Cabernet) benefited from dry, moderate second half of season (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionUp-and-down growing season marked by a heat wave in late January. Most whites and early-ripening reds (Pinot Noir, Merlot) harvested in sweltering conditions; later-ripening reds (Syrah, Cabernet) benefited from dry, moderate second half of season (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2006 |
Score90 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionWet winter replenished vines after three dry seasons. Warm, dry growing season; consistent temperatures in second half led to even ripening. All major varieties performed well (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionWet winter replenished vines after three dry seasons. Warm, dry growing season; consistent temperatures in second half led to even ripening. All major varieties performed well (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2005 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionDry growing season with a hot finish. Whites were picked under cool conditions, but yields were reduced; later-ripening reds are rich, tannic and muscular (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionDry growing season with a hot finish. Whites were picked under cool conditions, but yields were reduced; later-ripening reds are rich, tannic and muscular (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2004 |
Score87 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionMostly cool season interrupted by a heat spike led to some uneven ripening. Those who picked Cabernet and Syrah late did well; others more variable (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionMostly cool season interrupted by a heat spike led to some uneven ripening. Those who picked Cabernet and Syrah late did well; others more variable (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2003 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionEven flowering and a long, dry growing season; many growers feel it's the best in a generation for both reds and whites, though some reds can show a slightly roasted quality (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionEven flowering and a long, dry growing season; many growers feel it's the best in a generation for both reds and whites, though some reds can show a slightly roasted quality (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2002 |
Score84 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionVariable weather, with uneven ripening and reduced yields for whites and reds; some successes, but choose carefully (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionVariable weather, with uneven ripening and reduced yields for whites and reds; some successes, but choose carefully (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2001 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionLate-ripening red varieties have intense fruit, with ripe tannins; whites also good (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionLate-ripening red varieties have intense fruit, with ripe tannins; whites also good (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2000 |
Score90 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionHot and dry conditions brought an early harvest. Reds performed well; whites more variable (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionHot and dry conditions brought an early harvest. Reds performed well; whites more variable (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1999 |
Score87 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionVery warm and dry season. Reds have ripe tannins; good whites (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionVery warm and dry season. Reds have ripe tannins; good whites (See all ratings) |
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Note: Most South African white wines should be drunk on release. |
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Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended
A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed.
Drinkability: "NYR" means the vintage has not yet been released; "drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the ageworthy wines have yet to fully mature; "past peak" means most of the wines are declining rather than improving.
SOURCE: WINE SPECTATOR
