Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide 2024 is here!

The eagerly awaited 2024 edition of South Africa’s original and still favourite wine adviser, Platter’s Guide, is here, with a rich, luxurious cover colour that evokes the unique pleasure of drinking truly fine wine.

The 44th edition of 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 especially budget friendly across all quality levels.

Platter’s 2024 also packs 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. 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, which the Platter’s team named “Refined Opulence”. The colour was chosen partly as an elegant counterpoint to last edition’s long-requested and well-received white cover, named “Elemental”.

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 award 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 nationwide from early December 2023. The recommended retail price is R411.00 incl VAT.

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).

  • Published by: John Platter SA Wine Guide (Pty) Ltd
  • Managing director and editor: Philip van Zyl (pvz@wineonaplatter.com)
  • Tasters for 2024: Winnie Bowman, Greg de Bruyn, Tim James, Nomonde Kubheka, Malu Lambert, Angela Lloyd, Cathy Marston, Fiona McDonald, Christine Rudman, Penny Setti, Dave Swingler, Cathy van Zyl and Meryl Weaver. The associate tasters are Ndaba Dube and Keize Mumba
  • Pages: 720
  • ISBN 978-0-6397-7566-1
  • Suggested retail price: R411.00 incl VAT
  • Website: www.wineonaplatter.com

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

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