Wine critics and winemakers consider the 2021 wine vintage in South Africa to be exceptionally strong with slow-ripening grapes that preserved ideal aromatics and acidity. Therefore vintage 2021 produced top South African wines..
What made vintage 2021 superior?
The 2021 growing season was characterized by a cooler-than-average winter and spring, which delayed budburst and slowed the grapes’ path to phenolic ripeness.
Extended Hang Time: The moderate summer weather allowed producers to carefully choose their harvest times. This resulted in longer hang-time on the vines resulted in highly concentrated flavors and vivid colors.
Viticulture and Cellar Work: Winemakers attribute the outstanding quality to improved vineyard management and less-interventionist cellaring. In addition there has been a distinct shift toward subtler oak integration, allowing the natural fruit and freshness to shine.
Critic Consensus
Major critics—including Jancis Robinson, Tim Atkin MW, and panels at the Decanter World Wine Awards—have lauded the vintage across multiple varietals.
White Wines
Known for perfectly preserved acidity and brilliant aromatics, with varieties like Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay showing exceptional finesse.
Red Wines
Producers of Bordeaux blends and Cabernet Sauvignon had particular success. Critics celebrate the 2021 reds for having robust yet round tannins that give them excellent aging potential.
How did top vintage 2021 South African wines show?
Bruwer Vintners
In celebration of their Bruwer family heritage cousins Bruwer Raats and Gavin Bruwer Slabbert created Bruwer Vintners in 2014. Partnering with them is winemaker and lifelong friend, Mzokhona Mvemve.
What you can expect to enjoy when you buy Bruwer Vintners Liberte Pinotage 2021
- Rated 93/100 points by Tim Atkin, Master of Wine
- Rated 96/100 points by Christian Eedes, Winemag
- Elegance, freshness and finesse
- Great concentration
- Red and black fruit flavours, flowers, herbs, spice and earth giving layered complexity
- Fine, dense and structured tannins with wonderfully fresh acidity
- 2021 is one of the most iconic vintages in recent history
Kanonkop Estate
Kanonkop is generally regarded as South Africa’s equivalent of a First Growth. Their remarkable track record spans more than 50 years, and the 2021 is ‘possibly one of their most iconic vintages ever’ of the Paul Sauer, says Greg Sherwood MW.
What you can expect to enjoy when you buy Kanonkop Estate Paul Sauer 2021
- An outstanding wine from one of the greatest vintages in recent memory
- Well-integrated new oak
- Concentrated dark cherry and bay leaf notes
- Super-fine tannins
- Layered, detailed palate with incredible balance and elegance
- Just 13.1% alcohol
- Maturity for decades to come
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines
The partnership of Chris & Andrea Mullineux with Analjit Singh in 2013, and the renaming of the company to Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, opened the way for a new project . This company is based at the wine cellar on Leeu Estates in Franschhoek. Leeu Passant was a fantastic opportunity to harness these exciting vineyards to create something under a new label in a different wine region.
Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Cabernet Savignon
What you can expect to enjoy when you buy Leeu Passant Cabernet Savignon 2021
- Decades long aging potential
- Rated 96/100 points by Christian Eedes, Wine Mag
- Aromas of crushed bay leaf and cassis
- Plums, lavender and earthiness of the palate
- Fine-grained tannins
- Finesse and generosity to suit earlier drinking
