Minority Report 2025: Top 8
By Christian Eedes, 1 April 2025
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This year’s Minority Report convened by Winemag.co.za is now out. There were 103 entries (45 white wine and 58 red) and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale.
Top 8
The eight best wines overall are as follows:
94 – Best White
Wildeberg Amphora Semillon 2023
Price: R479
Wine of Origin: Franschhoek
Abv: 12%
Winner of R15,000 off a concrete egg from Cellier Wine Tanks.
93
Bruce Jack Ghost in the Machine Skin Contact Clairette Blanche 2024
Price: R209
Wine of Origin: Western Cape
Abv: 12%
95 – Best Red
Warwick Cabernet Franc 2022
Price: R675
Wine of Origin: Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.5%
Winner of R15,000 off a concrete egg from Cellier Wine Tanks.
94
Beaumont Far Side Mourvèdre 2021
Price: R425
Wine of Origin: Bot River Walker Bay
Abv: 12.23%
94
Boplaas Touriga Nacional 2023
Price: R125
Wine of Origin: Western Cape
Abv: 14.6%
93
Dornier Malbec 2022
Price: R195
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14%
93
Fairview Stok By Paaltjie Grenache 2023
Price: R289
Wine of Origin: Paarl
Abv: 13.07%
93
Kleinood Tamboerskloof Mourvèdre (meevaller) 2023
Price: R435
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 12.73%
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Because final ratings are determined by averaging the scores of three judges, decimal places come into play. As a result, the following wines fell just short of the top eight on 93 points:
Boplaas Alvarinho 2024 – price: R135
Bruce Jack Off the Charts Clairette Blanche 2024 – price: R120
Haute Collection Amphora Semillon 2023 (Haute Cabrière) – price: R475
Rickety Bridge The Pilgrimage Old Vine Semillon 2021 – R600
Donkiesbaai Cinsault 2023 – R370
Klein Amoskuil Bok Amok Bush Vine Grenache 2023 – price: R225
Stellenrust Old Bush Vine Cinsaut 2022 – price: R190
About the category
The Minority Report highlights wines made from grape varieties with total plantings of 5,000 hectares or less. South Africa’s eight most widely grown varieties – Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Colombar, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinotage, Chardonnay, and Merlot – each exceed this threshold, together covering 81.4% of the national vineyard – this is a chance for the lesser-known varieties to shine!
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: Minority Report 2025
Shop online
Online wine shop Getwine is offering all of the wines in the Top 8 for sale – buy wine.
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Donald Griffiths | 2 April 2025
Great report as ever and full of valuable information for lovers of wine particularly those looking to try something new and for great value for money. One concern – only 9 Pinot Noirs entered and none in the top ranks? Are top producers of the cultivar hesitant to enter due to ego/brand damage related considerations? How can the category grow and be taken seriously if this is the case – maybe Pinot should have a category of its own seeing as its such a cult cultivar?
Christian Eedes | 2 April 2025
Hi Donald, Thank you for your kind words about the report! Regarding Pinot Noir, we did previously have a dedicated report, but it was discontinued due to limited participation and a lack of sufficient entries to create a meaningful comparison. Because consumers are already obsessed with the variety, producers feel less need for critical evaluation to distinguish themselves.
Donald Griffiths | 2 April 2025
Thanks Christian. It’s a pity – can understand the report being discontinued due to lack of entries. But if SA Pinot wants to be taken seriously opening up for critical evaluation is essential, especially when some producers pitch their wines on the global market as a viable alternative to Burgundy.
Jos | 2 April 2025
I don’t think the global market takes much, if any, notice of local critics. If you want to succeed on the global market you need Wine Spectator or Jancis Robinson to punt your wines.
Christian Eedes | 2 April 2025
Hi Jos, While international platforms inevitably hold sway, local critics play a crucial role in shaping the industry, providing in-depth, context-driven insights that foreign critics might overlook. Winemag’s following is not insignificant, with an average of nearly 26 000 users per month for the 1Q 2025, of which 20% were international. In any event, a strong local reputation can serve as a stepping stone to international recognition – many top South African producers first gained traction at home before making waves abroad.
Jos | 2 April 2025
That’s fair for some producers, but the top producers in the Hemel en Aarde valley and Elgin already have a strong local following. I could be wrong, but I’m not sure what benefit a report like this could bring to them.
It’s the same thing with First Growths in Bordeaux not submitting their wines to Wine Spectator for blind tasting. Massive downside, no upside.