Prescient Fund Services Shiraz Report 2025: Top 10
By Christian Eedes, 20 May 2025
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Introduction
This year’s Shiraz Report convened by Winemag.co.za and sponsored by multinational financial services company Prescient is now out. There were 71 entries 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
De Grendel Op Die Berg Syrah 2023
Price: R355
Wine of Origin: Ceres Plateau
Abv: 13.52%
95
Klein Amoskuil Die Nagmuis Bush Vine Syrah 2023
Price: R235
Wine of Origin: Swartland
Abv: 13.14%
95 – Best Overall
Raar Carbonic Maceration 2024 (Riebeek Valley Wine Co)
Price: R165
Wine of Origin: Swartland
Abv: 13.5%
Winner of a set of Nachtmann glasses worth R2,500 from warewashing specialist Winterhalter.
94
Glenelly Glass Collection Syrah 2022
Price: R180
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.36%
94
Groot Phesantekraal Syrah 2023
Price: R185
Wine of Origin: Cape Town
Abv: 13.96%
94
Kasteelberg Syrah 2024 (Riebeek Valley Wine Co)
Price: R260
Wine of Origin: Swartland
Abv: 13.5%
94
Stellenbosch Reserve Kruithuis Syrah 2022
Price: R200
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.31%
94
Von The Sir 2023
Price: R200
Wine of Origin: Swartland
Abv: 14.8%
93
De Grendel Op Die Berg Syrah 2022
Price: R355
Wine of Origin: Ceres Plateau
Abv: 13.23%
93
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Syrah 2022
Price: R230
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14%
Shop online
Online wine shop Getwine is offering all of the top wines for sale – buy wine.
About the category
When it comes to Shiraz, two broad stylistic camps are typically identified: the overtly aromatic, medium-bodied yet densely structured wines of France’s Rhône Valley, and the deeply coloured, plushly fruited examples most famously associated with Australia’s Barossa.
Shiraz and Syrah are, of course, two names for the same grape. The former is often used to suggest power, the latter restraint—but in practice, the distinction is far from absolute.
In South Africa, Shiraz plays a significant role, accounting for 8,340ha or 9.6% of the country’s 86,544ha under vine—second only to Cabernet Sauvignon among red varieties.
What does a top Shiraz go for?
The average price of the 36 wines to rate 90-plus is R284 a bottle and of the Top 10 is R237.
Best Buy
Offering the best quality relative to price is De Wet 2023 with a rating of 91 and selling for R76 a bottle.
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 Shiraz Report 2025
Video
Watch judges’ comments.
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hennie | 21 May 2025
Pretty low scores for Tokara – why?
Christian Eedes | 22 May 2025
Hi Hennie, Tokara is a producer that does consistently well in our tastings but the Syrah seems something the cellar hasn’t yet got a fix on.
Tasting notes in brief:
Reserve Collection Syrah 2021: Earthy, malty notes on nose. Full-bodied, heavily extracted, lacks vitality.
Reserve Collection Syrah 2022: Dark fruit, tar, earth. Dense, lifeless, unyeilding.
Standard Label 2021: Broad with tangy acidity and soft tannins, gently savoury. Accessible.
Mike Froud of Top Wine SA | 21 May 2025
Quite a few prices seem out of date? Example: the winning Raar Shiraz is selling for R188 ex-cellar, not R165…
Christian Eedes | 21 May 2025
Hi Mike, The prices listed for the Top 10 wines reflect those charged by our retail partner, Getwine.co.za, and may differ from cellar door pricing. If you purchase via Getwine, we earn a small affiliate commission.
Kwispedoor | 21 May 2025
Thanks for highlighting the brett issues. So many winemakers are in denial about brett (and think if they run a clean cellar, all will be fine). Brett has become the one wine fault many people choose not to talk about. Result: ever more bretty wines. If I was a winemaker, I’d be wary of “cellar palate” and I would encourage positive criticism from the right kinds of tasters. At some stage, someone is bound to lift up the carpet…
Kwispedoor | 21 May 2025
I know you work with a formula for your Best Buy, but just like the old cricket calculations (when reduced overs were applicable) often resulted in a skew target, the real best value wine doesn’t always win. In this case, most people would easily pay R4 more for two extra points, everything else being equal. You need a Duckworth-Lewis-Stern formula. 😉