Top Scores for De Grendel in Tim Atkin's South African Report

In the latest South African Report by Tim Atkin MW, we were awarded no less than four 90+ points for their wines. The annual report was published on 3 September to coincide with a week of South Africa-focused wine activities in the UK.

Tim Atkin, respected industry critic, judge, wine writer and British Master of Wine annually visits South Africa to taste his way through the nation’s most sought after wines as well as newcomers to the industry, compiling a report of his findings.

Said Atkins: “Overall, I am extremely impressed with the quality of what I tasted in 2019. The South African wine scene has never been more vibrant or diverse. You all deserve enormous credit for that in the face of some challenging conditions. These are my wines of the year - a collection that would, I believe, compare with the best of any other wine-producing country.”

“This is my seventh annual report about the South African wine scene, and I remain as enthusiastic and positive as ever. I’m still convinced that the best Cape wines are world class and represent outstanding value for money. Ever creative, ever evolving, the wine industry continues to surprise and delight me”, the Master of Wine said. 

Our best score was for our Op die Berg Chardonnay 2018 from Ceres Plateau with 94 points in the bag. The Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2019 scooped 91 points and Rubaiyat 2015 92 points, while the De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc 2019 was awarded 90 points.

“We are elated with the results of this year’s report”, said Charles Hopkins, De Grendel’s cellar master and member of the Cape Winemakers Guild. “It’s good to know that our wines are not only highly rated on South African soil, but internationally as well. It shows that our wines are doing well in competitions and ratings abroad, which has a positive impact on our exports”, Hopkins concluded.