Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate has achieved exceptional recognition in Master of Wine Tim Atkin’s prestigious 2025 South Africa Special Report.
The Walker Bay estate secured five outstanding scores, with their 2023 Catalina Semillon achieving a benchmark 95-point rating. Four additional wines from the 2023-2024 vintages scored between 92 and 93 points, marking one of the most successful showings for a single estate in this year’s report.
Award-Winning Wines from Tim Atkin MW’s 2025 South Africa Special Report
Benguela Cove Catalina Semillon 2023 – 95 Points
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 marks the third consecutive vintage of Catalina Semillon to receive Tim Atkin’s prestigious 95-point score – a rating reserved for benchmark examples of their style.
Benguela Cove Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – 93 Points
Benguela Cove’s cool location close to the Atlantic Ocean is ideally suited to producing high-quality Sauvignon Blanc. This has a 60% barrel-fermented component, part of which is new, giving the midpalate some cream and sweetness to balance the palate of grapefruit, lemongrass and oyster shell. 2025-28.
Benguela Cove Vinography Chardonnay 2024 – 93 Points
Vinography is an ambitious Chardonnay from Benguela Cove, sourced from a 1.2-hectare parcel on the estate. Made with clone 277, it’s an intense, 50% new barrel-fermented white, with a flinty, struck match nose, mouth-watering zip and minerality, citrus, oatmeal and wet stone flavours and a slightly briney finish. 2026-31.
Benguela Cove Chardonnay 2024 – 92 Points
Nicely judged by Johann Fourie and Michelle Waldeck, this medium-weight Chardonnay uses grapes from three ocean-influenced vineyards. A 20% malolactic component adds some texture and weight to a stony, savoury, pear, fennel and waxed lemon palate complemented by 30% new wood. 2025-29.
Benguela Cove Collage 2023 – 92 Points
Collage is a five-way Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec, 9.5% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. Picked before the rains in 2023, this is fleshy, aromatic and concentrated, with bramble and blueberry fruit, firmish tannins and plenty of supporting acidity. 2026-32.
Each year, Master of Wine Tim Atkin spends over a month in South Africa’s wine regions, tasting over 2,200 wines from more than 400 producers for his comprehensive annual report. His scoring system reserves 95 points for wines that serve as benchmark examples of their style, making Benguela Cove’s achievement particularly noteworthy.
Winemaker’s Perspective
“This recognition from Tim Atkin MW reflects our commitment to expressing the maritime terroir of our Walker Bay vineyards,” says Johann Fourie, Head Winemaker at Benguela Cove. “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.”
These award-winning wines are available at the Benguela Cove Cellar Door and online at www.benguelacove.co.za. Experience the maritime terroir of Walker Bay through wines that bridge the gap between the science and artistry of winemaking.
