Wine Reviews
This guide is an easy to use aid to buying wine from the Stellenbosch and Helderberg area.
Use the Wine Reviews tab above to access wine scores and reviews of individual producers
Discontinued Wines
The Stellenbosch Wine Review includes many wines which have become discontinued. This unique feature recognizes that those wines may still be available and that many people may still have them at home. Such wines may be past their best (indicated by red colouring) but many will still be enjoyable and because of this they are included.
Each wine tasted is given a score out of 100. The score is made up of key elements, such as colour, aromas and taste. Wines are assessed subjectively, based on years of experience and acamdemic foundation.
There are several methods of scoring wines, but I have chosen the 100 point system as it is recognised worldwide and gives a clear picture of the quality of the wine.
Also included in the Review is a guide price that you might expect to pay for the wine. Prices are in Rands.
R – expect to pay up to R100 for this wine
RR – expect to pay under R200
RRR – expect to pay between R220 and R400
RRRR – expect to pay more than R400
It is wrong to think that South African wines cannot keep, many improve over the years and some will keep for decades, provided they are kept in reasonable conditions.
The Stellenbosch Wine Review gives a recommended drinking range for each wine. These ranges are based on winemaker’s opinion and comment and my assessment of the wine and the vintage.