Delheim, the pioneering estate located in Stellenbosch, South Africa, has once again affirmed its position as one of the country’s premier wine brands. In this year’s South Africa Report by the esteemed international wine critic, Tim Atkin MW, eight of Delheim’s wines achieved exceptional scores of 91 points and above. In his 11th report, which delves into the state of the South African wine industry and its wines, Atkin awarded one of Delheim’s wines an outstanding 96 points, specifically the Edelspatz OVP Riesling 2021. Additionally, Delheim’s Vera Cruz Pinotage 2020 received a commendable 94 points, as did the unconventional Staying Alive Riesling 2022, a collaborative effort between Delheim and the German winemaker Christoph Hammel.
Other notable scores for Delheim included 93 points for the Grand Reserve 2020, Iconoclast Syrah 2020, and Wild Ferment OVP Chenin Blanc 2021. The Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 garnered 92 points, while the estate’s Chardonnay Sur Lie 2022 achieved a solid 91 points.
In his 2023 report, Atkin meticulously assessed over 2,200 wines, assigning each a score out of 100 points. Roelof Lotriet, Delheim’s winemaker, emphasized that these impressive ratings of 91 points and above underline the remarkable diversity of grape varieties and wine styles that thrive in Delheim’s unique terroir.
Lotriet further commented on the significance of these scores for both Delheim and Stellenbosch as a whole, noting, “I struggle to think of another wine region in the world where a single producer can achieve such high ratings across such a diverse range of wines, all recognized by a respected Master of Wine like Atkin. My fellow winemaker, Nongcebo Langa, and I are delighted by Delheim’s exceptional ratings, but more importantly, these scores underscore the distinctive character of Stellenbosch as a renowned wine-growing region.”
At 96 points, Delheim’s renowned Edelspatz, a classic natural sweet wine crafted from botrytis Riesling grapes, stands proudly among the top-rated Cape wines in Atkin’s assessment. The two 94-point scores for the Vera Cruz Pinotage 2020 and Staying Alive Riesling 2022 contribute to this year’s outstanding recognition.
Lotriet summed up the team’s sentiments by saying, “When you add the impressive 93-point scores for our Grand Reserve Bordeaux-blend 2020, Iconoclast Syrah 2020, and Wild Ferment OVP Chenin Blanc 2021, the entire Delheim team can rightfully take pride in achieving this prestigious recognition in Tim Atkin’s report. This accomplishment is the result of unwavering dedication to detail in our vineyards, where each grape variety is cultivated with precision, and our winemaking team’s deep understanding of what our vineyards can express in every vintage. In short, Delheim currently stands at the pinnacle of its historical legacy as an estate in Stellenbosch, with a rich heritage and an outstanding reputation for crafting exceptional wines.”
