Seven Wines Score Big In Tim Atkin's 2024 South African Wine Report
Seven of our wines have received scores of 90+ points.
The moment local wine enthusiasts and producers have been waiting for is here. Tim Atkin's has released his annual South Africa Special Report, and we’re thrilled to announce that seven of our wines received 90+ scores as follows:
93 points - Frans K Smit Red 2018
92 points - 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2022
91 points - 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
91 points - Creative Block 2 2023
91 points - Creative Block 5 2021
90 points - 21 Gables Pinotage 2020
90 points - Farmer Angus Organic Chenin Blanc 2022
First things first, who's Tim Atkin?
A Master of Wine and internationally renowned critic, Tim's annual report on South African wines is like the Oscars in the industry. In recent years, Atkin's comprehensive evaluation of South African wines has served as a benchmark for quality and innovation in our industry. This year, he tasted 2,256 wines from 425 wineries for his twelfth annual overview. Atkin’s praise for the overall quality of South African wines, with particular emphasis on the exceptional 2021 vintage, resonates with our own experience of recent harvests.
Our Cellar Master Johan Jordaan, shares his thoughts on the results: "Tim Atkin has set the bar high when it comes to South African wine, giving local producers a much-valued platform to be recognised on the global stage. To me, these latest scores prove that our commitment to regenerative farming practices and crafting terroir-expressive wine is worth the good work the entire team puts in."
The recognised wines come from four of our premium ranges, each with its own story and character:
The Frans K. Smit range, named after our former Cellar Master, represents the crème de la crème of our craft. Our 2018 Red blend scored the highest, with 93 points. Frans himself describes it as having "the long-legged capacity to be a big future player.” This wine showcases the potential of Stellenbosch terroir and our meticulous approach in both vineyard and cellar.
Not to be outdone, our 21 Gables range is our nod to Spier's rich Cape heritage. The star is our 2022 Old Vine Project Chenin Blanc (92 points). Sourced from 37-year-old dryland vines and offering a focused expression of its terroir. As a complement, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (91 points) and Pinotage (90 points) further demonstrate the range's depth and quality.
Last but in no way least, the Creative Block range, inspired by our connection to the arts, continues to impress with its innovative blends. Both the 2023 Creative Block 2 and 2021 Creative Block 5 (91 points each) showcase the creativity and balance we strive for in our winemaking.
These accolades encourage us to continue creating wines that not only please the palate but also respect and reflect our environment. We remain committed to our mission of creating a farm that is regenerative to its core, offering good wine from good people that is grown in good soil.
Want to taste these award-winning wines for yourself?
Find these wines at our Tasting Room, or shop online to enjoy them at home.