Prescient Fund Services Cape Bordeaux Red Blend Report 2025: Top 10
By Christian Eedes, 19 August 2025
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Introduction
This year’s Cape Bordeaux Red Blend Report convened by Winemag.co.za and sponsored by global financial services company Prescient is now out. There were 48 entries from 38 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 10
The 10 best wines overall are as follows:
95 – Best Overall
Cavalli Warlord 2022
Price: R315
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14%
Winner of shipping services worth R10 000 from Aspiring Couriers.
95
Vriesenhof Jan Boland Coetzee 2023
Price: R165
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.07%
95
Alto M.P.H.S. 2021
Price: R995
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.2%
94
Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2021
Price: R420
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.9%
94
La Petite Ferme Verdict 2023
Price: R410
Wine of Origin: Franschhoek
Abv: 13.5%
94
Tokara Director’s Reserve Red 2021
Price: R595
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.46%
93
Anthonij Rupert Optima 2021
Price: R280
Wine of Origin: Coastal Region
Abv: R280
93
Ernie Els Signature 2021
Price: R870
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 13.5%
92
Warwick Trilogy 2021
Price: R730
Wine of Origin: Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.5%
92
Grand Vin de Stellenbosch 2022 (Le Grand Domaine)
Price: R325
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.3%
Shop online
Online wine shop Getwine is offering all of the top wines for sale – buy wine.
About the category
The Bordeaux region in the southwest of France is famous for its red blends, the best of which can age with benefit over many years. The two grapes that feature most prominently are austere Cabernet Sauvignon and fleshy Merlot, although Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot also play a role. This style has been imitated around the world and South Africa is no exception.
What do top Cape Bordeaux Red Blends go for?
The average price of the 38 wines to rate 90-plus is R377 a bottle and of the Top 10 is R406.
Best buy
Offering the best quality relative to price is Silver Myn Argentum 2023 from Zorgvliet with a rating of 90 and selling for R115 a bottle.
47% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Red and black berries with a touch of oak on the nose. The palate is plush and fruit-dense, offering smooth texture and overall harmony.
In-depth analysis
To read the report in full, including key findings, tasting notes for the top wines, buying guide (wines ranked by quality relative to price) and scores on the 100-point quality scale for all wines entered, download the following: Prescient Fund Services Cape Bordeaux Red Blend Report 2025
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Donald Griffiths | 19 August 2025
That Vriesenhof JBC is a stonkingly good wine. Basically de-classified Kallista at less than half the price. Great man, great wine.
Wessel Strydom | 20 August 2025
Hi Donald, which vintage are you referring to?
Donald Griffiths | 20 August 2025
2022 yet to taste the 2023.
Eddie Smit | 20 August 2025
Thank you for the comments. The JBC is a recent addition to the range, that aligns with the philosophy at Vriesenhof focusing on the terroir and quality of the wines that we produced. The JBC is not a de-classified Kallista and focuses on a more accessible style of Bordeaux blend, typical of Stellenbosch, that offers the consumer a great drinking experience at an accessible price point. Like Jan is a man of the people, this is a wine for the people!
Gareth | 19 August 2025
Where can we buy the 2023 Jan Boland Coetzee? I can only find the 2022 on their website, and for R175/b
Eddie Smit | 20 August 2025
The wine is available through the retail partner, Getwine as well as from the farm. It should be available in other retail channels soon.
Christopher Williams | 20 August 2025
Just a shout out to Adam Mason who made the Vriesenhof.
francois.vanzyl | 20 August 2025
Holden Manz Big G 2020 – Greg Sherwood has just given this 95 points and this report gives it 87. Faulty bottle?
Christian Eedes | 20 August 2025
Hi Francois, Tasting is subjective, and bottles vary. We didn’t think the Holden Manz was faulty – just broad, mellow, slightly stewed, and not particularly exciting.
Garry | 22 August 2025
Christian, would appreciate your thoughts on the Constantia Glen?
Christian Eedes | 22 August 2025
Hi Garry, The Constantia Glen Three 2020 rated 95 and placed Top 10 in the category tasting of 2023. When I tasted the current-release 2022 recently I found it very ripe and quite evolved already. I haven’t tasted Five for some time. In general, I think the property aims for opulence which is not always easy to achieve in cool Constantia – vintage variation is particularly marked.
Garry | 22 August 2025
Apologies Christian, I must have got my wires crossed between the two reports released as I saw a Constantia Glen with a relatively low score and somehow assumed it was the 3. So was curious is the drop off from previous reports – my mistake and appreciate the feedback.
Guy Cunliffe | 20 August 2025
The Optima over delivers for its price, yes? – and is often on special at a certain supermarket. I’ve become a big fan!
Guy Cunliffe | 20 August 2025
But will definitely keep eyes peeled for the Vriesenhof as well after this…