South African Wine
The Buy List
A weekly shortlist of 160 South African bottles that punch above their price. Light reading, link straight through to buy.
Editor's note
La Motte Sauvignon Blanc 2024
4.5★ outstanding; 74% under peer-median; 5-critic consensus; strong producer; drink now
The list
The twelve picks below carry the strongest value signal this week, after the editor's note above.
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2
Tokara Sauvignon Blanc 2024
4.5★ outstanding; 68% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; top producer (avg 4.4★); drink now; only at 1 shop
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3
Fairview Petite Sirah 2022
4.5★ outstanding; 71% under peer-median; strong producer; drink now
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4
De Grendel Wines Rosé 2025
4★ excellent; 54% under peer-median; 4-critic consensus; top producer (avg 4.4★); drink now; only at 1 shop
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5
Almenkerk Wine Estate Chardonnay 2023
5★ SA classic; 41% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; top producer (avg 4.5★); drink now; only at 1 shop
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6
Kanonkop Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
4.5★ outstanding; 54% under peer-median; top producer (avg 4.3★); drink now; only at 1 shop
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7
Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2022
5★ SA classic; 40% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop
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8
Catherine Marshall Wines Pinot Noir On Sandstone Soils 2023
4.5★ outstanding; 47% under peer-median; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop
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9
Raka Sangiovese 2022
4★ excellent; 29% under peer-median; 4-critic consensus; drink now; only at 1 shop
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10
Kara-Tara Pinot Noir 2024
4.5★ outstanding; 57% under peer-median; top producer (avg 4.5★); drink now; only at 1 shop
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11
Dornier Wines Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
4.5★ outstanding; 41% under peer-median; drink now; only at 1 shop
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12
Boschendal Wines Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
4.5★ outstanding; ~13% below median; 2-critic agreement; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop
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13
Robertson Winery Shiraz 2022
4★ excellent; 46% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; drink now
Under R150 — everyday
Bottles to drink without ceremony. Strong critic backing relative to price.
| # | Wine | Rating | Price | Retailer | Link | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Motte Sauvignon Blanc 2024 | 4.5 | R119 | takealot.com | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 74% under peer-median; 5-critic consensus; strong producer; drink now |
| 2 | Tokara Sauvignon Blanc 2024 | 4.5 | R145 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 68% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; top producer (avg 4.4★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 3 | Fairview Petite Sirah 2022 | 4.5 | R135 | winefolk.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 71% under peer-median; strong producer; drink now |
| 4 | De Grendel Wines Rosé 2025 | 4.0 | R90 | takealot.com | Buy | 4★ excellent; 54% under peer-median; 4-critic consensus; top producer (avg 4.4★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 9 | Raka Sangiovese 2022 | 4.0 | R139 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4★ excellent; 29% under peer-median; 4-critic consensus; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 13 | Robertson Winery Shiraz 2022 | 4.0 | R90 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 4★ excellent; 46% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; drink now |
| 16 | La Motte Millennium 2023 | 4.0 | R119 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4★ excellent; 39% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 19 | Jakkalsvlei Private Cellar Chenin Blanc 2025 | 4.0 | R125 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 4★ excellent; ~17% below median; 2-critic agreement; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 22 | Du Toitskloof Winery Shiraz 2021 | 4.0 | R95 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 4★ excellent; 43% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; drink now |
| 23 | Durbanville Hills Chenin Blanc 2025 | 3.5 | R100 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 3.5★ very good; 30% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 25 | Fairview Chenin Blanc 2025 | 4.0 | R120 | winefolk.co.za | Buy | 4★ excellent; 20% under peer-median; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 28 | Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2025 | 3.5 | R90 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 3.5★ very good; 37% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; drink now |
| 29 | Warwick Wine Estate Rosé 2025 | 3.5 | R120 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 3.5★ very good; ~16% below median; 4-critic consensus; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 35 | Alto Wine Estate Rouge 2023 | 4.0 | R129 | takealot.com | Buy | 4★ excellent; 34% under peer-median; 4-critic consensus; top producer (avg 4.5★); only at 1 shop |
| 45 | Saronsberg Cellar Provenance Shiraz 2023 | 4.0 | R142 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4★ excellent; ~14% below median; 2-critic agreement; top producer (avg 4.3★); drink now |
R150–R400 — cellar core
The working middle. Where the deepest value tends to sit.
| # | Wine | Rating | Price | Retailer | Link | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Almenkerk Wine Estate Chardonnay 2023 | 5.0 | R335 | takealot.com | Buy | 5★ SA classic; 41% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; top producer (avg 4.5★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 6 | Kanonkop Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 | 4.5 | R175 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 54% under peer-median; top producer (avg 4.3★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 7 | Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2022 | 5.0 | R340 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 5★ SA classic; 40% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 8 | Catherine Marshall Wines Pinot Noir On Sandstone Soils 2023 | 4.5 | R315 | winecellar.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 47% under peer-median; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 10 | Kara-Tara Pinot Noir 2024 | 4.5 | R255 | winecellar.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 57% under peer-median; top producer (avg 4.5★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 11 | Dornier Wines Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 | 4.5 | R225 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 41% under peer-median; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 12 | Boschendal Wines Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 | 4.5 | R329 | takealot.com | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; ~13% below median; 2-critic agreement; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 14 | Ridgeback Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 | 4.5 | R239 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 37% under peer-median; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 17 | Kanonkop Estate Pinotage 2023 | 4.5 | R165 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 30% under peer-median; top producer (avg 4.3★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 21 | Jordan Wine Estate Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2021 | 4.5 | R359 | takealot.com | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 22% under peer-median; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 24 | Steenberg Vineyards Merlot 2022 | 4.5 | R250 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; ~7% below median; top producer (avg 4.5★); drink now |
| 26 | Boschendal Wines Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2024 | 4.5 | R365 | takealot.com | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 21% under peer-median; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 27 | Waterford Estate Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2021 | 4.5 | R375 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; ~18% below median; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 36 | Beyerskloof Pinotage Reserve 2022 | 4.5 | R235 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 40 | Brookdale Estate Chenin Blanc 2025 | 4.0 | R150 | winecellar.co.za | Buy | 4★ excellent; 2-critic agreement; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
R400 and above — the occasion shelf
Wines whose price is still below the median for their peer band.
| # | Wine | Rating | Price | Retailer | Link | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Meerlust Estate Pinot Noir 2024 | 4.5 | R409 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 31% under peer-median; top producer (avg 4.6★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 18 | Kara-Tara Pinot Noir Reserve 2023 | 4.5 | R600 | winecellar.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 2-critic agreement; top producer (avg 4.5★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 20 | Vergelegen Wines Estate Red 2022 | 5.0 | R530 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 5★ SA classic; ~6% below median; top producer (avg 4.4★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 30 | Botanica Wines Chenin Blanc 2024 | 5.0 | R695 | winecellar.co.za | Buy | 5★ SA classic; top producer (avg 4.6★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 31 | David Finlayson Wines Chardonnay 2024 | 4.5 | R1050 | thewinestore.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; top producer (avg 4.4★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 32 | Remhoogte Wine Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 | 4.5 | R3060 | thewinestore.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; top producer (avg 4.3★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 33 | Hasher Family Wines Ernest Pinot Noir 2023 | 4.5 | R595 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 34 | Zevenwacht Sauvignon Blanc 2024 | 5.0 | R810 | thewinestore.co.za | Buy | 5★ SA classic; 2-critic agreement; drink now |
| 37 | Stellenrust 60 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2024 | 4.5 | R1649 | takealot.com | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 2-critic agreement; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 38 | Meerlust Estate Merlot 2022 | 4.5 | R460 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; top producer (avg 4.6★); drink now |
| 39 | Jordan Wine Estate Cobblers Hill 2022 | 5.0 | R599 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 5★ SA classic; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 42 | Carinus Family Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2024 | 4.5 | R410 | winecellar.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; ~11% below median; top producer (avg 4.6★); drink now |
Drink now
Inside their window today, four stars or better.
| # | Wine | Rating | Price | Retailer | Link | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Motte Sauvignon Blanc 2024 | 4.5 | R119 | takealot.com | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 74% under peer-median; 5-critic consensus; strong producer; drink now |
| 2 | Tokara Sauvignon Blanc 2024 | 4.5 | R145 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 68% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; top producer (avg 4.4★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 3 | Fairview Petite Sirah 2022 | 4.5 | R135 | winefolk.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 71% under peer-median; strong producer; drink now |
| 4 | De Grendel Wines Rosé 2025 | 4.0 | R90 | takealot.com | Buy | 4★ excellent; 54% under peer-median; 4-critic consensus; top producer (avg 4.4★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 5 | Almenkerk Wine Estate Chardonnay 2023 | 5.0 | R335 | takealot.com | Buy | 5★ SA classic; 41% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; top producer (avg 4.5★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 6 | Kanonkop Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 | 4.5 | R175 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 54% under peer-median; top producer (avg 4.3★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 7 | Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2022 | 5.0 | R340 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 5★ SA classic; 40% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 8 | Catherine Marshall Wines Pinot Noir On Sandstone Soils 2023 | 4.5 | R315 | winecellar.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 47% under peer-median; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 9 | Raka Sangiovese 2022 | 4.0 | R139 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4★ excellent; 29% under peer-median; 4-critic consensus; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 10 | Kara-Tara Pinot Noir 2024 | 4.5 | R255 | winecellar.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 57% under peer-median; top producer (avg 4.5★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 11 | Dornier Wines Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 | 4.5 | R225 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 41% under peer-median; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 12 | Boschendal Wines Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 | 4.5 | R329 | takealot.com | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; ~13% below median; 2-critic agreement; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 13 | Robertson Winery Shiraz 2022 | 4.0 | R90 | pnp.co.za | Buy | 4★ excellent; 46% under peer-median; 2-critic agreement; drink now |
| 14 | Ridgeback Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 | 4.5 | R239 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 37% under peer-median; strong producer; drink now; only at 1 shop |
| 15 | Meerlust Estate Pinot Noir 2024 | 4.5 | R409 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 31% under peer-median; top producer (avg 4.6★); drink now; only at 1 shop |
Cellar candidates
Vintages still wanting time. Buy now, open later.
| # | Wine | Rating | Price | Retailer | Link | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 117 | Stellenrust Simplicity 2024 | 4.0 | R99 | wineofthemonth.co.za | Buy | 4★ excellent; 48% under peer-median; 4-critic consensus; strong producer; cellar to ~2029; only at 1 shop |
| 128 | Boekenhoutskloof Winery The Chocolate Block 2024 | 4.5 | R279 | takealot.com | Buy | 4.5★ outstanding; 39% under peer-median; strong producer; cellar to ~2029; only at 1 shop |