Doolhof Wine Estate’s 2025 XCLUSIV rosé has been named Overall Rosé of the Year in the influential South Africa Report on wine by Tim Atkin, MW.
The XCLUSIV rosé topped all-time ratings for South African still rosés assessed by Atkin, following the release of his country report this week.
A score of 94 points, which was awarded to Doolhof’s 2025 XCLUSIV rosé, is the highest to have been bestowed and an achievement only achieved by very few wines in the past.
- “Our XCLUSIV rosé was conceived to showcase the exceptional soils and cool-climate terroir that characterise its Limietberg origins and give the wines purity, freshness and elegance,” says winemaker Rüdger van Wyk. “This rating from such an esteemed, independent and well-travelled wine expert goes a long way to underscoring this vision.”
Atkin tasted over 2 000 wines from more than 400 producers, to produce what is his 13th South Africa Report. It ranks among the world’s most anticipated analyses of globally influential wine producing regions. Significantly, its unveiling this year comes just ahead of Cape Wine trade show, the industry’s single biggest event that draws wine professionals from across the globe.
As such, Atkin’s rating for XCLUSIV rosé speaks volumes about the wine and Doolhof’s legacy of excellence. The first vintage of XCLUSIV was released in September last year, which was the first vintage for Rüdger at Doolhof too.
At the time, Doolhof owner Philip Richards, said: “We are establishing Doolhof as one of the Cape’s top wine destinations and Rüdger’s appointment brings us a step closer while also amplifying the story of the incredible terroir behind our wines.”
The team fuelled this momentum by also rejuvenating the brand, which shines light on the vineyards’ truly unique location. The Doolhof estate lies in a steep-sided valley against the Cape’s spectacular Limietberg Mountains. A range of elevations, aspects and soil types conspire with numerous microclimates in creating a unique terroir for the optimal production of premium quality wines.
The Limietberg is so unique that it enjoys exclusive status under the Wine of Origin scheme, with Doolhof being its only producer. Shielded by the peaks of the Limietberg in the morning and shaded earlier in the afternoon by Groenberg, the vineyards benefit from extended hanging time, ensuring grapes ripen slowly and develop exceptional balance and complexity.
The 2025 XCLUSIV rosé comprises 51% Grenache and 49% Syrah, which as hand-harvested in small crates during cool mornings. Whole-bunch pressing gave the wine its pale salmon hue, while cold fermentation in stainless steel preserved freshness and purity. Post-fermentation lees aging for three months enriched the texture and palate weight.
Rüdger describes the wine as being pale salmon in colour. It expresses delicate aromas of candyfloss, rose petals, and grapefruit. On the palate, chalky minerality is layered with notes of white chocolate and a whisper of Turkish delight. Vibrant yet balanced, it lingers with a long, intricate finish.
Doolhof has paired the wine’s elegance with luxury packaging: a beautifully designed bottle finished with a pink glass Vinolok closure, reflecting the estate’s vision of positioning XCLUSIV among the finest rosés in the world.
XCLUSIV rosé is available from select retailers, and at R275/bottle from the estate and its website.
In addition to being open to visitors for wine tastings, the estate shares its spectacular, protected natural environment by welcoming visitors to stay at The Doolhof Country House – a five-star rated property, enjoy glamping by Africamps and to dine at the cellar’s restaurant.
Doolhof is open every day, Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00.
Follow @Doolhofwines on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact Doolhof on wine@doolhof.com or +27 (0) 21 864 2805
