Special Report on South Africa 2023 by Tim Atkin MW
Benguela Cove Wines Featured in Tim Atkin MW's South Africa 2023 Special Report
Where Ocean Meets Vineyards
Benguela Cove Wine Estate stood out in the 11th annual South Africa Special Report by renowned UK wine writer Tim Atkin, unveiled on September 5th, 2023. The Walker Bay winery, honoured with the Cellar Door Experience of the Year award in 2022, received impressive scores of 90+ for all 7 presented wines, marking the third consecutive year with each wine achieving 90 points or more out of 100.
Tim Atkin, a globally recognized Master of Wine, lends his expertise, acknowledged by wine producers and consumers worldwide.
Seven Benguela Cove Wines showcased excellent performance in this year's South Africa Special Report. The evaluation for Tim Atkin’s report encompassed a record-breaking 2,205 wines from 419 wineries
Tim Atkin MW's Commentary on Our Wines
2021 Benguela Cove Catalina Semillon, 95 points
Catalina is often the best white in the Benguela Cove range, made with 50% new barrel fermented and a smaller stainless-steel component. Focused, herbal and intensely perfumed, it has cream, citrus zest and lanolin flavours, subtle patisserie spices and a tangy, lingering finish. - Tim Atkin, Master of Wine | South African Special Report 2023
2022 Benguela Cove Vinography Sauvignon Blanc, 94 points
Vinography is Johann Fourie's successful attempt to make a barrel-fermented, lees-aged Sauvignon Blanc that would compare with a good Pessac-Léognan. Passion fruit and grapefruit flavours are complemented by baking spice top notes and an alluring sea breeze top note. - Tim Atkin, Master of Wine | South African Special Report 2023
2022 Benguela Cove Sauvignon Blanc, 93 points
Benguela Cove's cool climate, ocean-influenced site is ideally suited to Sauvignon Blanc, blended here with 14% Semillon. Toasty perfumed and zesty, it's a cuvée with well-handled 25% new oak, lemongrass, cream soda and pink grapefruit flavours and salty finish. - Tim Atkin, Master of Wine | South African Special Report 2023
2021 Benguela Cove Syrah, 93 points
A wine that is improving with every passing vintage, thanks to earlier picking and a lighter hand with the new oak. Spicy, meaty and herbal, it combines aromas of sage, tarragon and white pepper with a sappy, tangy plum, tapenade and stony palate. - Tim Atkin, Master of Wine | South African Special Report 2023
2022 Benguela Cove Vinography Chardonnay, 93 points
Early picked and eschewing any malolactic fermentation, this is an appealingly perfumed Chardonnay that carries its 100% new oak lightly. Spicy and floral, it has wet stone and jasmine aromas and a palate of citrus peel, cinnamon and orange zest supported by focused acidity. - Tim Atkin, Master of Wine | South African Special Report 2023
2021 Benguela Cove Collage, 92 points
Collage is Johann Fourie's Bordeaux style blend, featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec, 19% Petit Verdot and 17% Merlot. Firm, serious, grippy and made to age for a while longer in the bottle, it has 45% toasty coffee bean new oak, blackcurrant leaf and Damson flavours and the freshness and acidity that reflect its site. - Tim Atkin, Master of Wine | South African Special Report 2023
2019 Benguela Cove Joie de Vivre MCC, 92 points
Maybe it's auto-suggestion, given where its vineyards are located, but there's often a salty, maritime note to the Benguela Cove whites, including this sparkling cuvée of Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir. Toasty focused and chiselled, it's a wine that seems drier than its 7.9 grams of dosage. Brioche, citrus and pistachio flavours dovetail on the palate. - Tim Atkin, Master of Wine | South African Special Report 2023
