Tim Atkin MW South Africa 2023 Special Report

Benguela Cove Wines Rated in Tim Atkin MW South Africa 2023 Special Report 

Where the ocean and vineyards meet 

Benguela Cove Wine Estate was a standout performer in UK wine writer Tim Atkin’s 11th annual South Africa Special Report, released on September 5th, 2023. The Walker Bay wine farm won the Cellar Door Experience of the Year award 2022 and All 7 wines we presented received scores of 90+ with each wine achieving 90 or more points out of 100 for the third consecutive year. 

Tim Atkin is a Master of Wine whose expertise is recognised by wine producers and consumers around the world. 

Seven Benguela Cove Wines performed very well in this year's South Africa Special Report. The assessment for Tim Atkin’s report included a record 2,205 wines from 419 wineries.

What Tim Atkin MW Had to Say About 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