Platter’s 2025 South African Wine Guide
Raising a Glass to Excellence: Benguela Cove Reigns Supreme at Platter's 2025
Cape Town, 20 November 2024: Benguela Cove Wine Estate is celebrating once again! We're delighted to announce another exceptional showing at the prestigious Platter's 2025 South African Wine Guide. This year, our dedication to quality and unwavering passion have been rewarded with an impressive haul - two coveted 5-star ratings and a remarkable eight wines achieving a stellar 4.5 stars.
Platter’s 2025 Highlights
Vinography Chardonnay 2023, 5 Stars
Vinography Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, 5 Stars
Catalina Semillon 2022, 4.5 Stars.
Vinography Sauvignon Blanc 2023, 4.5 Stars
Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, 4.5 Stars
Pinot Noir 2023, 4.5 Stars
Syrah 2021, 4.5 Stars
Collage 2022, 4.5 Stars
Chardonnay 2023, 4.5 Stars
Sauvignon Blanc 2023, 4.5 Stars
Tasting Notes
The magic of Benguela Cove lies not just in the expertise of our team, but also in the unique coastal terroir that breathes life into our exceptional wines. Here's a taste of some of our Platter's 2025 award winners:
Vinography Chardonnay 2023: Superlative expression of a single-vineyard (as Sauvignon). 2023’s clementine interleaved with steely acid and vanilla from 11 months older oak. Further complexity of pie crust, lemon curd and spice unfurl before fresh finish aided by eschewed malo.
Benguela Cove Cabernet Sauvignon 2022: Age worthy 2022’s impressive concentration of dark plum fruit is matched with fine, palate-coating tannins and fragrant notes of leaf, tomato and graphite. Whole bunch ferment. 22 months in 300L and 500L barrels, 40% new, add polish and subtle chocolate to resonant palate.
Catalina Sémillon 2022: Squadron leader, from registered single parcel, complex and built to give years of stylish enjoyment. 2022 expressive, textured, with enviable concentration of lemon and lime fruit on layers of wax and integrated, creamy vanilla and spice. Freshness from 20% tank-aged component, remainder barrel fermented/10 months in half new oak.
Vinography Cabernet Sauvignon 2021: Following exceptional 2019 (5 stars, 96 pts), 2020 has similar effortless complexity and sophistication. Perfumed plum, blackcurrant, graphite and polished leather flavours and scents. Impeccable structure from 40% new barrels, 20 months, layered and fine powdery tannins. Dark chocolate on endless finish. Will reward 10+ years ageing.
Vinography Sauvignon Blanc 2023: 4.5 Stars. Textbook fumé blanc-style 2023, handpicked in 1-ha plot and intricately vinified: 8 hours skin contact, into large, older barrel halfway through inoculated ferment, on lees 10 months. Result is lovely harmony of crisp acid and creamy texture, sustained wet stone finale.
Benguela Cove Syrah 2021: Statuesque 2021, richly layered with juicy dark berry fruit, balanced and integrated, and well-structured for a long life. Tannins supple after 18 months in 40% new oak. There’s texture and varietal perfume of lavender and cracked pepper, plus wood-derived clove and subtle spice. A special occasions wine.
Benguela Cove Collage 2022: This Bordeaux-style blend offers a complex interplay of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco, with a well-rounded finish.
Benguela Cove Chardonnay 2023: Delivers vibrant, satisfying mouthful of apple, grapefruit & crème brûlée with lifted citrus finish.
Benguela Cove Pinot Noir 2023: Light-toned yet generously fruited with cranberry and red plum, a floral fragrance, too, in 2023. 35% new oak, 11 months, makes a subtle contribution of vanilla, smooths the tannins and adds savouriness to the prolonged farewell.
Benguela Cove Sauvignon Blanc 2023: Fresh, delightful 2023 packs its ebullient citrus and tropical fruit into a firm structure derived from combo barrel (60%, 25% new), steel tank and amphora, 9 months.
A Team Effort
These accolades wouldn't be possible without the incredible team at Benguela Cove, led by the visionary winemaker, Johann Fourie. We're particularly proud of Michelle Waldeck, nominated for Diner's Club Young Winemaker of the Year 2024. Their combined expertise, artistry, and unwavering commitment to quality have solidified Benguela Cove's position as a leading force in South African wine.
