Towards the end of every year there is a flutter in the wine media as the Tim Atkin Report is published. But who is Tim Atkin and why do his ratings count so much?
Tim Atkin is a British Master of Wine (MW) and a highly regarded wine journalist, broadcaster and commentator, who is often invited to judge international wine competitions. With 40 years’ experience, this award-winning wine writer, photographer and Master of Wine contributes to a number of widely revered publications, including Harpers and Decanter. He is also one of the Three Wine Men with Olly Smith and Oz Clarke and co-chairman of the International Wine Challenge.
Every year, this UK based wine writer visits South Africa and tastes through many, many wines which culminate in the always eagerly anticipated Tim Atkin SA Report, a guide for wine collectors and enthusiasts alike. This is indeed an arduous task as each year, Tim tastes over 2000 wines from more than 400 wineries. To score above 90 points is worth noting, but a score above 95 is reserved for only the exceptional few, and scoring the perfect 100, is well-nigh impossible!
Through the last decade, Bosman wines regularly score above 90 points for several of our wines, but last year were thrilled to announce that, not only had all the wines we submitted scored above 90, but our Optenhorst Chenin Blanc 2023 scored 95 points, proving once again that this top wine, Old Vine wine deserves her starlight status.
Planted in 1952, it is the third oldest Chenin vineyard in the country, and winner of numerous accolades and awards deserves a place in your cellar.
Tim Atkin also gives awards in several broader categories, and last year, Bosman won Viticulturist of the Year, acknowledging the Bosman Adama Vine Nursery’s pioneering work in sustainably producing grafted vine cuttings and propagating resilient cultivar selections that improve the overall viability of the entire South Africa wine industry.
Atkin named Bosman Adama’s research “the most prominent transformation scheme in the winelands” for its work in developing drought- and heat-tolerant southern Mediterranean varieties for local producers to plant in response to climate change, and to minimise the industry’s carbon footprint.
What is Tim Atkin’s Wine of the Year?
In his most recent report, only one wine scored the elusive 100 points. According to Atkin, this single-origin, dry-farmed, old vine Chenin Blanc, the 2023 Alheit Vineyards Nautical Dawn “exemplifies a reflection of place and vintage rather than the imposition of style in the cellar. By sublimating his ego, Chris Alheit has succeeded in expressing authenticity in the bottle.”
“A perfect wine in every sense, this Chenin Blanc – the variety South Africa has made its own – is emblematic of the terroir-driven approach I have come to associate with the country’s most exciting winemakers and see as a crucial feature of the new post-modern Cape wine scene.”
In this report, Atkin also stated: “South Africa is incontrovertibly producing the greatest wines in its history.”
Also in this the 12th consecutive report three wines scored the close-but-no-cigar 99. These are the 2022 Porseleinberg Syrah and two wines from Sadie Family: Columella 2022 (a Syrah-dominated red blend of Mediterranean varieties) and Mev Kirsten 2023 (a Chenin Blanc). Both Porseleinberg and Sadie Family have been top scorers in past editions of the report.
So Alheit Vineyards was the obvious choice for 2024 Overall White Wine of the Year, while the Porseleinberg Syrah and the Sadie Family Columella shared the Overall Red Wine of the Year honour with Callie Louw of Porseleinberg winning Winemaker of the Year. These wines are both grown and made in the Swartland.
Atkin awarded Stephanie Wiid of Thistle and Weed the Young Winemaker of the Year award. Her Brandnetel Chenin Blanc 2023, made from Stellenbosch grapes, scored an impressive 96 points
This year’s Winemaking Legend award went to Günter Brözel. He emigrated to South Africa from Germany in 1956 at the age of 21 and was cellarmaster at Nederburg for 33 years. During this period Nederburg gained an international reputation for both excellent and innovative wines, particularly for his legendary wine, Edelkeur, a Noble Late Harvest.
TIM ATKINS SOUTH AFRICA REPORT 2024 AWARD WINNERS:
Winemaker of the Year: Callie Louw of Porseleinberg
Young Winemaker of the Year: Stephanie Wiid of Thistle & Weed
Viticulturist of the Year: Bosman Family Vineyards
Producers’ Cellar of the Year: Perdeberg Wines
Winemaking Legend: Günter Brözel
Best Cellar Door Experience: Ernie Els Wines
Overall White Wine of the Year: 2023 Alheit Vineyards Nautical Dawn Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch
Overall Red Wines of the Year: 2022 Porseleinberg Syrah, Swartland; 2022 Sadie Family Columella, Swartland
Overall Rosé of the Year: 2023 Terblanche Family Vineyards Elmie Rosé, Stellenbosch
Overall Sparkling Wine of the Year: 2018 Graham Beck Cuvée Clive Cap Classique, Western Cape
Overall Sweet Wine of the Year: 2021 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance, Constantia
Overall Fortified Wine of the Year: 2022 Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve, Calitzdorp
Red Wine Discovery of the Year: 2021 Fairview Lanner Hill Syrah, Darling
White Wine Discovery of the Year: 2023 Kruger Family Wines Karoo Chardonnay, Sutherland
Rosé Wine Discovery of the Year: NV Vinevenom Shining Rosé No. 2, Swartland
Sparkling Wine Discovery of the Year: 2016 Villiera Pithos CC, Stellenbosch
Best Value White of the Year: 2024 AA Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc, Swartland
Best Value Red of the Year: 2022 Mullineux Kloof Street Rouge, Swartland
Best Value Rosé of the Year: 2023 Noble Hill Mourvèdre Rosé, Simonsberg-Paarl
Best Value Sparkling Wine of the Year: NV Pongrácz Blanc de Blancs Cap Classique, Western Cape
Best Value Sweet Wine of the Year: 2023 Van Loveren VRL Special Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, Robertson
Best Value Fortified Wine of the Year: NV KWV Classic Collection Cape Tawny, Western Cape
Tim Atkin wine ratings are highly regarded in the industry both locally and abroad. This prolific wine journalist produces similar reports for wine areas in Europe and both North and South America, offering an excellent overview for the consumer. He must spend his life on an aeroplane on his way to another exotic wine destination, but this renders him a connoisseur and his judgement is therefore a definitive benchmark, your guarantee of quality winemaking.
Atkin is an old friend of Bosman Winemaker Corlea Fourie, so we get to host this slim and trim journo for lunch on the farm every year during his visit. We then get to pick his brain and tap into his wisdom on wine trends and wine styles. He is a mine of information, having such a broad reach and experience. It’s amazing to watch his judging process as he sits down in front of a line up of wines, does a quick taste, swirl and spit, and then scribbles furiously in a little book. Then months later, he arrives back in South Africa and the awards are announced at a lovely event in the Cape Winelands.
So next time you spot a Tim Atkin sticker on a wine bottle, you’ll understand from whence it comes and what it means. There are many, many competitions and wine bottles are dotted with a myriad of stickers. But consumers should not just go for a sticker bedecked bottle, check first the provenance of the award before you make your choice.
If you’re looking for a sunset event near Cape Town, then put the annual Bosman Family Vineyards Sunset Soirée in your calendar. Held in early March each year, the Bosman farm near Wellington, only an hour’s drive from Cape Town, hosts an exclusive wine event on the lawns in front of the manor house.
As far as wine farm events go, the Bosman Sunet Soirée is top class. Guests are welcomed at the gates with a glass of bubbly and can then wander around the ‘werf’ and taste a curated selection of Bosman wines, including older vintages from our Vinotèque. There are various tasting stations offering different wines in their range including: Adama Red and White blends, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde wines from their farm near Hermanus, the Bosman single site vines Twyfeling Cinsaut and Optenhorst Chenin Blanc, our famous Cabernet Sauvignon and our flagship blend, Erfenis.
Our Vinotèque stocks every vintage of every wine made on this farm since it first made wine under the Bosman Family Vineyards label in 2007. Every year, winemaker Corlea Fourie tastes through these wines and picks those vintages that are showing their best to offer guests who can both taste and buy these wines. Some of the standout wines so far have been the Optenhorst Chenin Blanc 2013 and the Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. These are unfortunately sold out, but as the years tick by, other vintages come to the fore, so every year you are guaranteed of some treasures for your cellar.
Getting back the wine event, we like to keep the evening interactive and relaxed, so in typical friendly Wellington style, the fires are lit early, and guests can snack on traditional ‘braaibroodjies’ while tasting various wines. The evening is curated around food and wine, so the food offering is always spectacular. Wine influencers and media personalities have got to here of this event, so there’s always someone well-known to spot or ask for a quick selfie. The dress code is not formal, but people do look elegant. Don’t wear stilettos or you’ll since away in the lush lawns, bring a hat if it’s sunny at the start but also back in a warm wrap as once the sun goes down, it can get quite cool.
After tasting, guests sit down at beautifully set tables under the oak trees and enjoy a delicious three-course meal made with locally sourced artisanal fare, with the full range of wines available from the bar. Lights are strung up in the trees, music plays softly in the background, and everyone relaxes as the moon rises over the Groenberg and stars twinkle in the velvet night sky. Smartly dressed waitrons serve the food so there’s no need to queue at all, every consideration has been made to ensure a relaxed evening where you can just enjoy the food and wines with your friends. As the evening draws to a close, guests wander back to their cars, buying a quick coffee from the wagon at the gate before they head home.
At this sunset event, the Bosmans offer a once-off discount so guests can stock up. Wine orders are taken and delivered straight to your car. But if you’ve come by shuttle and you’ve ordered a minimum of 12 bottles, your wine will simply get delivered to your office or home in the following week.
It’s a great idea to attend the Bosman Sunset Soirée with friends. In fact, why not book a weekend away in Wellington, an often-overlooked destination in the Cape Winelands. There are several luxury guest houses in the area as well as quaint farm cottages for those seeking the self-catering option. The Vineyard Cottage on the farm is a pretty little cottage high up on the hill overlooking the farm. This beautifully furnished, well-appointed cottage offers spectacular views of the valley but also a quiet place to retreat with a book, cooling off in the stream-fed jacuzzi in the enclosed back garden.
This quaint, historic valley was once the last outpost of the Cape Colony, hence the name of the mountain range surrounding the village is called the Limietberge, or Limit mountains. The first farms were granted to Dutch and French settlers in the late 17th century and after several generations of toil, the farms flourished and beautiful Cape Dutch manor houses sprung up around the Wellington area, still visible today amongst the vineyards with the beautiful mountains as backdrop. The village itself is also pretty with oak-lined streets shading beautiful old houses, the statue of pastor, missionary and teacher Andrew Murray gazing off down Church Street.
The valley was originally referred to as Wamakersvallei or Wagonmakers’ Valley because wagon building and repairs was the dominant industry here. Settlers on their way to the hinterland would stop over to buy a wagon or fix their own before heading over Bainskloof into the Karoo and further afield. Later, people streamed through this once-quiet village on the way to seek their fortunes in the diamond mines of Kimberley and a decade later on the goldfields of the Witwatersrand. Soon the colony expanded and much later the Du Toitskloof Pass was constructed near Paarl, and so Wellington was bypassed by heavy traffic and holidaymakers. This has ensured that Wellington has retained its old-world charm, the perfect place for a quick, quiet getaway.
So, a weekend in this valley promises to be a real treat. Wellington wines are well-known, particularly the Chenin Blanc wines. Shiraz also fares well in the warm and sunny region, as does Pinotage, as do the popular niche varieties such as Grenache Blanc and Nero d’Avola.
Wellington Wines is also the name of the co-operative, a combination of three original co-ops that produces a very wide variety of wines. Their tasting room is just near Bosman Family Vineyards on the road leading up to the historic and picturesque Bainskloof. It’s worth a drive up this pass to take in the scenery and navigate the winding road and impressive rock formations, imagining the ox wagons of yesteryear trundling up there stacked with a family’s worldly goods on their way to seek perhaps a better life, or maybe find fortune on the mines. But look out for other wineries too, there are boutique wineries, large estates and some garagistes, along with some quaint eateries along the way.
Summers can be really hot in Wellington, but nothing that a quick dip in a sparkling pool can’t fix. Autumn and Spring are perhaps the best times to visit with warm days and cool, still evenings (that’s why we host the Bosman Sunset Soirée in March) but the Winters can be really cosy if you book a spot with a fireplace and stock up on red wines.
But the Bosman Sunset Soirée remains one of the highlights of Wellington events so make sure you don’t miss out by signing up to our newsletter. The Bosmans host other wine events throughout the year on their Wellington farm, but also on their farm in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus. Here visitors are treated to food and wine pairing dinners at the Frame House perched on the pristine, picturesque landscape of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
Stay in touch by following us on Instagram @bosmanwines or email taste@bosmanwines.com to sign up to the Bosman Wine Club where members enjoy a discount and get first dibs on limited release wines.
But put an alert on your calendar for early next year to look out for the next Bosman Sunset Soirée, it promises to be as good as ever.
Often awarded the title: King of Red Grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon is highly regarded both locally and internationally, being the key ingredient in many award-winning and legendary wines. This noble cultivar has been grown in South Africa for at least two centuries, but it was only in the 1960s when it became a popular, single cultivar wine and since then, many of South Africa’s best red wines have been made from Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is Cabernet Sauvignon?
A natural cross between red Cabernet Franc and white Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Cab Sav as it is popularly referred to, is the world’s most popular red wine grape characterised for its big, bold flavours and age-ability.
Cabernet Sauvignon is pronounced kab-er-nay saw-vin-yawn as its origins are French. It is planted prolifically in Bordeaux and is used in many of the most well-known Bordeaux blends from First Growths: Chateau Latour, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Haut Brion, and Château Mouton Rothschild each produce a Bordeaux blend made with Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux cultivars.
In South Africa it is the most planted red grape, being planted across the Cape Winelands, predominantly in Stellenbosch and the other Boland regions of Franschhoek, Paarl and Wellington, and then further afield in the Swartland and Robertson.
What does Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?
Cabernet Sauvignon is a dry red wine and typically exhibits dark berry flavours complemented by savoury notes. Typical flavours of a good Cabernet Sauvignon would be: black cherry, black currants, cedarwood, warm spice and graphite. Its prominent tannins and strong flavours make it the perfect accompaniment to hearty dishes such as roasted red meats with rich sauces.
What to eat with Cabernet Sauvignon?
A slow-roasted Karoo lamb with mint sauce served with roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy would be the perfect partner to a Cabernet Sauvignon. Though a seared succulent steak with a pepper sauce would also be a good option as would something like Osso Bucco, oxtail or duck with cherries.
Cabernet Sauvignon at Bosman Family Vineyards, Wellington
Background
Traditionally, Hermitage/Cinsaut was the predominant cultivar planted in the Bovlei. In 1956 Petrus Bosman (Sr) closed his cellar to focus on his vine nursery, delivering his grapes to the Wamakersvallei Co-op, now part of Wellington Wines where he was a founding member and chairman for many years. He encouraged the planting of Cabernet Sauvignon to the co-op members, because he believed it would lift the overall quality of the wines in the cellar.
In 2006, when Petrus Bosman (Jr) re-opened the cellar, the first wine he made with Corlea Fourie was a Cabernet Sauvignon and since then cellar has become well-known for good Cabs.
2016 Platter 4* star 2015 Platter 4.5* star 2014 Platter 4* star 2013 Investec Trophy Wine Show: Best Museum Class Cabernet 2013 Platter 4* star 2011 90 points (Tim Atkin SA Report 2016) 2008 Platter 4* star (2016) 2008 90 points (Tim Atkin SA Report 2015) 2007 91 points (Tim Atkin SA Report 2014)
The most notable award from the above would be for the 2013 Cabernet which in 2024 won the Best Museum Class Cabernet at the Investec Trophy Wine Show. This award shows the wine’s excellent age-ability, a must for a wine collector or connoisseur, vying with the best Cabernet Sauvignons in South Africa.
Vineyard
More current vintages are made from a single vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon called ‘Nuweland’ (new land) so named because it was planted when the Bosmans acquired a new piece of land in the Bovlei in 2003, and reconfigured the boundaries, planting this newly configured vineyard in 2005 on an original French Huguenot farm, now part of Bosman Family Vineyards.
The soils of this vineyard where Cabernet is planted are well-drained, weathered granite that originate from the granite pluton of the Groenberg Mountain and surrounding hills. These soils are different from the rest of the region where soils are sandstone based, creating a unique terroir which results in wines with rich, succulent fruit characters and a touch of minerality.
Winemaking
The hand-picked berries are sorted before cold maceration where the must is kept cool for two days followed by fermentation at low temperatures. Punch-downs make for good colour extraction after which the wine spent another month on the skins before being pressed to develop a complex tannin structure.
Oak maturation
The wine spent 18 months maturing in small French oak barrels of which 25% was new oak.
Colour
A deep ruby with a garnet rim
Nose
Elegant dark cherry, blackberry and concentrated plum aromas with light notes of pencil shavings.
Palate
A beautiful well-structured mouthfeel with a long, fruit-driven, persistent finish. Tannins are prominent yet accessible, indicating good ageing potential.
Food pairing suggestion
Pair with hearty stews, Osso Bucco or roast beef. A serious wine, true to its cultivar, to be enjoyed at special meals and occasions.
Ageing potential
Drinking well now but can be enjoyed for another 15 years if cellared correctly.
Cabernet Sauvignon Blends
Cabernet Sauvignon also plays a vital role in the Bosman flagship red Erfenis: As human beings we tend to define our lives in terms of great events. In 2010, to mark the birth of the first child of the next generation of the Bosman family, we endeavoured to make a red blend to celebrate and raise a flag to a bright future filled with hope.
Only made in exceptional vintages, the Erfenis red blend is our polestar, our directing principle that commemorates, defines and sets a standard for the Bosman cellar.
Vineyards
The components for this blend are from different sites in the Bovlei near Wellington. Half of the wine is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, selected for its excellent, robust quality, but also to represent the present. The other two components are Cinsaut, harking back to a proud past when most of the red wine grapes in the Bovlei were that cultivar, and Nero d’Avola, a new resilient varietal brought into the country from Sicility by Petrus Bosman in 2004 as an answer to climate change.
Winemaking
The grapes were handpicked, hand-sorted, de-stemmed and lightly crushed. The juice was allowed to cold macerate on the grape skins for two days prior to fermentation. After the onset thereof, regular pump-overs occurred for maximum colour extraction. The wine spent a month on the skins before being pressed. The components are all treated and aged separately for 16 months. Each component undergoes a barrel selection, after which the wine is blended and aged for another 6 months before bottling.
Oak maturation
In terms of oak management, the main components are matured in French oak barrels, of which 27% is new barrels.
Colour
A deep purple with a youthful, vibrant rim.
Nose
Deep, concentrated aromas of blackberries and ripe plums, the oak lending integrated cigar box and spicy notes. The flavours develop well in the glass or by decanting.
Palate
This much celebrated, judicious red blend shows complex secondary flavours accented by lovely spicy notes and velvety tannins. From the Cabernet, dark fruit and cigar box; from the Cinsaut, plummy fruit; and from the Nero, enticing spice.
Food
As a blend, this is a wonderful wine to pair with a whole range of dishes from duck with cherries to rich, roasted red meat dishes. It’s a celebratory wine to mark a special occasion.
Ageing potential
Drinking well now by will mature well over the next 15 years.
Both these wines are great examples of good Cabernet Sauvignon. When buying a Cabernet, don’t go for the cheapies, though Bosman Generation 8 Cabernet is a great start. A good Cabernet needs to be matured in imported French oak, and aged for a few years before being released, therefore be prepared to pay a premium, you won’t be disappointed.
ABOUT BOSMAN WINES
THE BOSMAN FAMILY HAVE BEEN VINE GROWERS IN WELLINGTON FOR 8 GENERATIONS, THEIR PROUD HERITAGE FORMING THE BEDROCK FROM WHICH INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY ARE A NATURAL PROGRESSION.
We use cookies that help us provide you with the best possible shopping experience. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember you. We use this information in order to improve and customize your browsing experience. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
