Platter's by Diners Club South African Wine Guide 2024 reveals top wines
By Admin | 29th November 2023
The 44th edition of the Platter Guide has been launched and this best-selling guide features well over 900 producers, merchants and brands, including 31 new ones, and over 8,000 locally produced wines, as well as brandies, husk spirits and sherry-style wines.
The guide’s descriptions and ratings, compiled in association with a team of leading experts, make it easy to find the right wine for any occasion, while the good-value indicators highlight those bottlings which are budget friendly across all quality levels.
Platter’s 2024 guide also includes extensive information on where to go and what to do in wine country. Winetasting options are covered in detail, along with many winery amenities, attractions and activities, plus dining and accommodation in Cape Town and the winelands.
The easy-to-use maps and quick look-up tables provide invaluable help for visitors planning their own wineland rambles, while listings of specialised wine tour operators offer a variety of alternatives for those who prefer a guided experience.
Fully updated notes on the major winegrowing regions, grape varieties, winemaking styles, winetasting terms, and the major wine competitions and awards, as well as listings of wine educators country-wide form part of a wide-ranging offering.
As always, the guide is prefaced by an insightful and thought-provoking overview of important developments and trends in South Africa and the wider wine world.
A much-anticipated feature of the guide is the reveal of the cover colour. This year it is a stylish purple and gold combination.
A highlight of any new edition is the five star wines line-up – the exceptional bottlings which emerge from a second round of tasting of the wines with the highest rating on the Platter’s scale of 0 - 5 stars (“Somewhat less than ordinary” to “Superlative. A South African classic”). In this edition 226 wines, brandies and husk spirits receive five stars, equating to 95 or more on the 100-point international scale.
Of the 5-star-awarded wines, the highest scorers within each category receive the sought-after accolade, Wines of the Year. This time there are 31 category winning wines. Also noteworthy are 424 Highly Recommended wines, which narrowly miss five stars but are nonetheless extremely fine and collectable in their own right, earning a rating of 94 on the 100-point scale; 192 reds and whites showing particular potential for cellaring (these ageworthy wines appear under the banner “Buy Now, Drink Later”); 104 Hidden Gems, wines which tasters feel are particularly worthy of note, being interesting, attractive, unique or representative of an important trend; and 53 Superquaffers, exceptionally drinkable and well-priced wines.
The three prestigious Winery of the Year awards are the highest accolades bestowed by Platter’s. The Top Performing Winery of the Year goes to the winery that achieves the most five stars after the annual final tasting round. This year the recipient is Sadie Family Wines, Platter’s highest-achieving winery on three previous occasions, this time with seven maximum ratings.
The Editor’s Award Winery of the Year recognises a winegrowing individual or team who, based on performance in the current edition as well as their track record, are ambassadors par excellence for South African wine. This year the award goes to Bosman Family Vineyards, for their achievements in winecrafting as well as outstanding contributions in the spheres of social empowerment, environmental care and development of the wine industry more broadly.
The Newcomer Winery of the Year is awarded to a producer who debuted in Platter’s this year and achieved the highest scores. The well-deserved recipient of this distinction is Edouard Labeye, with a stunning 94-point Grenache Blanc.
Platter’s 2024 hardcover is available from selected bookstores and retailers from early December 2023.
A subscription to the digital editions, namely the web-based version as well as the apps for Apple and Android devices, is available from www.wineonaplatter.com/products or the app stores (a single subscription unlocks all digital versions).
Wines of the Year
Cabernet Franc
Raats Eden High Density Single Vineyard 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon
Beyerskloof Eerste Ry 2019
Cinsault
Savage Follow The Line 2022
Grenache Noir
Kleine Zalze Project Z 2022
Merlot
Simelia Fluvius Single Vineyard 2019
Petit Verdot
Thelema Sutherland Reserve Emily 2021
Pinotage
L'Avenir Single Block 2020
Pinot Noir
Shannon RocknRolla 2021
Shiraz/Syrah
Savage CWG Auction Syrah 2021
Red Blends, Cape Bordeaux
Vondeling Philosophie 2019
Red Blends, With Pinotage
Beyerskloof Faith 2020
Red Blends, Shiraz/Syrah-Based
Fairview Cyril Back 2020
Red Blends, Other
Alto Estate Blend 2020
Albariño
Botanica Flower Girl 2023
Chardonnay
Delaire Graff Terraced Block Reserve 2022
Chenin Blanc
Stellenrust Old Bushvine 2022
Grenache Blanc
The Foundry 2022
Roussanne
Saronsberg 2021
Sauvignon Blanc
Diemersdal The Journal 2022
Semillon
Steenberg 2022
Semillon Gris
Mullineux CWG Auction The Gris Old Vine 2022
Viognier
Lourensford Limited Release 2022
White Blends, Cape Bordeaux
Steenberg Magna Carta 2021
White Blends, Other
Beaumont New Baby 2022
Cap Classique
Babylonstoren Sprankel 2018
Dessert Wine, Fortified
Orange River Omstaan Rooi Muskadel XO NV
Dessert Wine, Unfortified
Alvi's Drift Muscat Nectarinia 2017
Natural Sweet
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2020
Noble Late Harvest
Delheim Edelspatz 2021
Vin de Paille
Savage Not Tonight Josephine 2022
Port-Style
KWV Cape Tawny NV
Five Star Wines
Cabernet Franc
Beaumont Ariane 2021
De Trafford 2021
Hogan Mirror For The Sun 2022
Raats Eden High Density Single Vineyard 2021
Raats CWG Auction Stella Nova 2019
Raats Family 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon
Beyerskloof Eerste Ry 2019
Boekenhoutskloof Stellenbosch 2021
Cederberg Five Generations 2021
David Finlayson GS 2021
Diemersdal The Journal 2021
Hartenberg CWG Auction 2021
Kanonkop 2019
Le Riche 2021
Mooiplaas Tabakland 2020
MVH Signature 2021
Nederburg Two Centuries 2019
Stellenrust Reserve 2019
The High Road Reserve 2019
Thelema 2020
Cinsault
ArtiSons The Basket Child 2021
Eenzaamheid 2022
Savage Follow The Line 2022
Van Loggerenberg Lotter 2022
Grenache Noir
Elemental Bob Cosmic Flower The Turkish 2022
Kleine Zalze Project Z 2022
Merlot
Simelia Fluvius Single Vineyard 2019
Villiera Monro 2021
Petit Verdot
Benguela Cove Vinography 2021
Thelema Sutherland Reserve Emily 2021
Pinotage
Fairview Primo 2021
Francois van Niekerk 2021
Kanonkop Black Label 2021
Kanonkop 2021
Lanzerac Commemorative 2019
L'Avenir Single Block 2020
Survivor Reserve 2021
Pinot Noir
Crystallum Bona Fide 2022
David Finlayson Camino Africana 2021
Iona Kloof 2020
Kara-Tara Reserve 2021
Shannon RocknRolla 2021
Storm Ignis 2022
Shiraz/Syrah
ArtiSons Blueberry Hill Shiraz 2021
Boschkloof Epilogue 2021
De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2021
Diemersdal Reserve Syrah 2022
Driehoek Syrah 2021
La Bri Limited Release Syrah 870 2021
Metzer & Holfeld Shiraz 2022
Mullineux Syrah 2021
Oldenburg Stone Axe 2021
Patatsfontein Sons of Sugarland Syrah 2022
Sakkie Mouton Dawn Of The Salty Tongues Syrah 2022
Savage CWG Auction Syrah 2021
Saxenburg Private Collection Syrah 2021
Van Loggerenberg Graft 2022
Red Blends, Cape Bordeaux
Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2021
Baccō Red Blend 2020
Constantia Glen Five 2020
Diemersdal Private Collection 2021
Ernie Els Signature 2017
Jordan Cobblers Hill 2020
Keet First Verse 2020
Marianne Desirade 2020
Meerlust Rubicon 2021
Rainbow's End Family Reserve 2020
Remhoogte Sir Thomas Cullinan 2019
Ridgeback Signature C 2019
Rustenberg John X Merriman 2021
Vondeling Philosophie 2019
Red Blends, With Pinotage
Beaumont Vitruvian 2019
Beyerskloof Faith 2020
Beyerskloof Faith 2019
Nuiba Third Post 2019
Opstal Carl Everson Cape Blend 2021
Red Blends, Shiraz/Syrah-Based
Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block 2022
Fairview Cyril Back 2020
Fairview Caldera 2021
Rall Red 2021
Ridgeback Signature S 2019
Savage Are We There Yet? 2022
Sijnn Free Reign 2018
Red Blends, Other
Alto Estate Blend 2020
Anysbos Tesame 2021
Boschendal Nicolas 2019
De Trafford Elevation 393 2017
Hogan Divergent 2022
Leeu Passant 2020
Albariño
Botanica Flower Girl 2023
Chardonnay
Bartinney Hourglass 2021
Cap Maritime 2022
Capensis Fijnbosch 2019
Creation Reserve 2022
David Finlayson Shale Terraces 2022
Delaire Graff Terraced Block Reserve 2022
Draaiboek Kinkel 2022
Draaiboek Onskuld 2022
GlenWood Vigneron's Selection 2022
Haskell Anvil 2022
Hogan The Galvanised 2022
Kershaw Kogelberg Sandstone CY76 2021
Kershaw Kogelberg Iron Stone CY548 2021
La Bri Barrel Select 2022
Lanzerac Mrs English 2022
Leeu Passant Radicales Libres 2017
Leeu Passant Stellenbosch 2021
MVH Signature 2022
Oak Valley Groenlandberg 2022
Oldenburg 2022
Paul Clüver Estate 2021
Plaisir Grand Plaisir White 2022
Restless River Ava Marie 2021
Storm Ridge 2022
Storm Vrede 2022
Chenin Blanc
Ahrens Koffieklip OVC 2021
ArtiSons The Mothership 2022
Asara Amphora 2022
Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2022
Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine 2022
Bosman Optenhorst 2022
Botanica Mary Delany 2022
Carinus Polkadraai Heuwels 2022
Cederberg Five Generations 2022
Charla Haasbroek 2022
City On A Hill Earth 2022
Daschbosch Mossiesdrift Steen 2022
David & Nadia CWG Veiling 2022
David & Nadia Plat'bos 2022
DeMorgenzon Reserve 2022
Eenzaamheid 2021
Huis van Chevallerie Bergskilpad Old Vine 2022
Ken Forrester The FMC 2022
Leeuwenkuil White 2022
Metzer & Holfeld Maritime 2022
Mullineux Granite 2022
Mullineux Schist 2022
Rijk's Reserve 2021
Sadie Mev. Kirsten 2022
Sadie Rotsbank 2022
Sadie Skurfberg 2022
Sakkie Mouton Revenge Of The Crayfish 2022
Savage Never Been Asked To Dance 2022
Stark-Condé Monk Stone 2022
Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo 2022
Stellenrust 58 Barrel Fermented 2022
Stellenrust Old Bushvine 2022
Grenache Blanc
Riebeek Valley Raar Small Batch 2022
The Foundry 2022
Roussanne
Saronsberg 2021
Sauvignon Blanc
Anthonij Rupert Altima 2023
Bartho Eksteen CWG Auction Vloekskoot 2022
Buitenverwachting Maximus 2021
Buitenverwachting Hussey's Vlei 2022
Cederberg David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Wild Ferment 2022
Die Kat Se Snor 2023
Diemersdal The Journal 2022
Diemersdal Wild Horseshoe 2022
Diemersdal Reserve 2023
Hasher Fat Lady 2022
Klein Constantia Metis 2020
Klein Constantia Perdeblokke 2022
Lomond Pincushion 2022
Neil Ellis Amica 2021
Strandveld Pofadderbos 2022
The Giant Periwinkle Wind Scorpion 2022
Thorne & Daughters Snakes & Ladders 2022
Waterkloof 2022
Zevenwacht Z-Collection 2022
Semillon
Benguela Cove Catalina 2021
Old Road Grand-Mère 2021
Opstal The Barber 2022
Rickety Bridge Pilgrimage Old Vine 2021
Sadie Kokerboom 2022
Shannon Triangle Block 2021
Steenberg Semillon 2022
Super Single Vineyards Pella White Granite 2021
Wildeberg White 2022
Semillon Gris
Mullineux CWG Auction The Gris Old Vine 2022
Viognier
Lourensford Limited Release 2022
White Blends, Cape Bordeaux
Constantia Glen Two 2021
Delaire Graff White Reserve 2021
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2021
Kershaw Cape South Coast Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon 2021
Steenberg Magna Carta 2021
White Blends, Other
Ahrens The WhiteBlack 2021
Beaumont New Baby 2022
Brookdale Sixteen 2022
Fairview Beryl Back 2022
Mullineux Old Vines White 2022
Rall White 2022
Sadie Palladius 2021
Sadie Skerpioen 2022
Sadie 'T Voetpad 2022
The Grapesmith Mediterraneo 2021
Thelema Sutherland Viognier-Roussanne 2022
Thorne & Daughters Rocking Horse 2022
Cap Classique
Anthonij Rupert L'Ormarins Blanc de Blancs 2018
Babylonstoren Sprankel 2018
Graham Beck Extra Brut 157 2009
Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs Brut 2018
Silverthorn The Green Man Magnum 2017
Dessert Wine, Fortified
Orange River Omstaan Rooi Muskadel XO NV
Dessert Wine, Unfortified
Alvi's Drift Muscat Nectarinia 2017
Natural Sweet
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2020
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2019
Noble Late Harvest
Boschendal Vin d'Or 2021
Delheim Edelspatz 2021
Vin de Paille
Mullineux Straw Wine 2022
Savage Not Tonight Josephine 2022
Port-Style
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2021
Delaire Graff Cape Vintage 2021
KWV Cape Tawny NV
Brandy
Boplaas Potstill Reserve 20 Years
KWV Cellar Reserve XO Potstill
KWV Centenary
KWV Nexus
KWV 20 Year Old
KWV 15 Year Old Alambic
KWV 12 Year Old Barrel Select
KWV 10 Year Old Vintage
Tokara XO Potstill
Van Ryn 20 Year Old Potstill
Van Ryn 15 Year Old Potstill
Van Ryn 12 Year Old Potstil
Husk Spirit
Dalla Cia 10 Year Old Celebration Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot