10-Year-Old Wine Report 2026
By Christian Eedes, 10 March 2026
-
Share:
6
Introduction
This year’s 10-Year-Old Wine Report convened by Winemag.co.za is now out. There were 60 entries from 36 producers and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale.
Top Six
The six best wines overall are as follows:
White
95 – Best Overall
Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2016
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 13.9%
Winner receives two magnums of Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 1983 (worth ±R12,000), sponsored by Amorim Cork, plus R10,000 in shipping services from Aspiring Couriers.
Red
95
Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2016
Wine of Origin: Simonsberg-Paarl
Abv: 14.3%
95
Rust en Vrede Estate 2016
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Alc: 14.63%
94
Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2016
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Alc: 14.5%
94
Niel Ellis Jonkershoek Valley Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Wine of Origin: Jonkershoek Valley
Alc: 14.5%
Fortified
94
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2016
Wine of Origin: Western Cape
Abv: 18.96%
Honourable mentions
The following wines rated 93:
Leeuwenkuil Grenache Blanc 2016
The Drift Moveable Feast 2016
Waterford Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
About the Report
Just how well do modern-era South African wines perform as they get older? One of the most important measures of great wine is that it should be age-worthy, that is it should become more pleasurable and more interesting to drink with time in the bottle and the annual 10-Year-Old Wine Report sets out to examine precisely this.
In-depth analysis
To read the report in full, including key findings, tasting notes for the top wines and scores on the 100-point quality scale for all wines entered, download the following: 10-Year-Old Wine Report 2026
-
Share:
Related articles
Reviews
La Brune new releases
27 March 2026
Want access to this content? Reviews and Reports are initially reserved for subscribers. Get immediate access to exclusive insights and data. SUBSCRIBE NOW Already subscribed? Login
Opinion & Analysis
Greg Sherwood MW: Was 2020 Chenin Blanc overhyped?
26 March 2026
I have recently written a lot about the phenomenon of the Judgement of Wimbledon Blind Grenache Tasting held in London and its enduring growth, success and longevity – 2026 marking...
28
Wine
Book now for the PFS Autumn Series 2026 public tasting – Cape Town
25 March 2026
Please join Winemag.co.za for a walk-around tasting of the top performing wines in PFS Autumn Series 2026. Discover the best of our newly bundled seasonal reports. Featured categories are: Cape...
Richard Gundersen | 11 March 2026
Thanks Winemag, Aspiring Logistics and Amorim Cork. Having a cellar designed to store wine for 7-10 years before drinking this report is valuable guidance as to those producers still making wine for the medium haul. Identifying wine to buy today to be drunk in ten years time relies, to a large extent, on knowing wines with a reputation. Identifying those characteristics in a young wine is one aspect but a good track record helps. I will enjoy studying this report in detail. And thanks to the entrants for the confidence in their wines.
Greg Sherwood | 11 March 2026
Very surprised to see Vilafonte Series C 2016 only score 87!? That is an incredible wine that has won so many accolades. Drank a bottle last year and it was incredibly good. What did the judges notes say? Would be interesting to assess why it scored so low? Closed up? Lacked complexity? Too evolved? Etc.
Christian Eedes | 12 March 2026
Hi Greg, Both bottles showed a concerning degree of oxidation – possibly closure failure?
Niel Muller | 18 March 2026
I just love an honest reply
Anrike van der Walt | 11 March 2026
There’s something quietly extraordinary about a Cabernet that reveals itself slowly over a decade. Honoured that Waterford Estate has been recognised for doing exactly that.
James | 11 March 2026
Not a great vintage for Stellenbosch reds