Five Stars: Our Exceptional Recognition in Tim Atkin MW's 2025 South Africa Report

Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Special Report 2025

We're thrilled to share some extraordinary news from one of the wine world's most respected voices. Master of Wine Tim Atkin has just released his 2025 South Africa Special Report, and Benguela Cove has achieved something truly special - five wines scoring 92 points or higher, including our third consecutive 95-point score for Catalina Semillon. 

For those unfamiliar with Tim Atkin's work, his annual South Africa report is considered the definitive guide to the country's finest wines. Each year, he spends over a month traveling through our wine regions, meticulously tasting over 2,200 wines from more than 400 producers. When Tim awards 95 points, he's identifying wines that serve as benchmark examples of their style - the gold standard, if you will. 

A Hat-Trick for Catalina Semillon 

Our 2023 Catalina Semillon has achieved the remarkable feat of earning Tim's 95-point rating for the third consecutive vintage. Here's what he had to say: 

"If it's richness and concentration you want in your Semillon, look no further than this plush, layered, textured Semillon from the talented Johann Fourie. Fermented and aged in 25% new oak, it's toasty, creamy, yet refreshing, with notes of custard and lemon tart, some baking spice sweetness and tethered acidity. 2025-31" 

This consistency speaks to something we've always believed – that our unique maritime terroir has the potential to produce world-class wines, vintage after vintage. 

The Walker Bay Advantage 

What makes these scores particularly meaningful is how they reflect our terroir. Every one of these five wines comes from our Walker Bay vineyards, situated just 2.7 metres above sea level along 18 kilometres of pristine Atlantic coastline. The cooling influence of the Antarctic Benguela Current, combined with our five different soil types, creates something magical – wines with natural bright acidity and that distinctive maritime minerality that Tim clearly appreciates. 

Here's how our other wines fared: 

Sauvignon Blanc 2024 - 93 Points 

Tim noted how our "cool location close to the Atlantic Ocean is ideally suited to producing high-quality Sauvignon Blanc." The 60% barrel-fermented component adds cream and sweetness to balance the grapefruit, lemongrass and oyster shell flavours - that ocean influence coming through beautifully. 

Vinography Chardonnay 2024 - 93 Points 

Our flagship Chardonnay, sourced from just 1.2 hectares of our finest vineyard and made with clone 277, impressed Tim with its intensity and minerality. He described it as having "a flinty, struck match nose, mouth-watering zip and minerality, citrus, oatmeal and wet stone flavours and a slightly briney finish." 

Chardonnay 2024 - 92 Points 

Tim praised the collaboration between Johann and Michelle Waldeck on this "nicely judged" medium-weight Chardonnay, noting how the 20% malolactic component adds texture to complement the stony, savoury profile. 

Collage 2023 - 92 Points 

Our Bordeaux-style blend weathered the challenging 2023 vintage beautifully. Tim mentioned how we "picked before the rains," resulting in a wine that's "fleshy, aromatic and concentrated, with bramble and blueberry fruit, firmish tannins and plenty of supporting acidity." 

The Philosophy Behind the Wines 

"This recognition from Tim Atkin MW reflects our commitment to expressing the maritime terroir of our Walker Bay vineyards," explains our Head Winemaker Johann Fourie. "Our Catalina Semillon's third consecutive 95-point score demonstrates what cool-climate South African winemaking can achieve when we combine the best efforts of earth and man." 

Johann's philosophy has always been about bridging the gap between science and artistry. It's a delicate balance - respecting what the land gives us while applying the technical knowledge and intuition that turns grapes into something extraordinary. 

Sustainable Excellence 

These accolades come at a time when we're particularly proud of our environmental stewardship. As a WWF Conservation Champion operating within the UNESCO-designated Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, we believe that great wine and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. The health of our vineyards and the broader ecosystem they're part of is fundamental to producing wines of this calibre. 

Looking Forward 

As we celebrate these achievements, we're already looking toward future vintages. The 2025 harvest showed tremendous promise, and we're excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what Walker Bay can produce. Our annual production of 250,000 bottles across the Lighthouse, Estate, Vinography, and Catalina ranges represents our commitment to quality over quantity. 

Whether you've been following our journey for years or are just discovering Benguela Cove, we invite you to taste the maritime terroir that Tim Atkin has celebrated so eloquently. Visit our Cellar Door overlooking the Atlantic or explore our full range online – these award-winning wines are available now, and they tell the story of our unique corner of the wine world. 

After all, when one of the world's most respected wine critics consistently recognizes your work, it's not just validation – it's an invitation to share something truly special with wine lovers everywhere. 

Interested in tasting our Tim Atkin acclaimed wines? Visit our Cellar Door or shop online. Our tasting experiences showcase the full range of our maritime terroir, from our accessible Lighthouse range to our flagship Catalina wines.