Tim Atkin Mixed Case 95+ Wines 2025

Swartland WO

This wine is a blend of old, dryland bush vine grapes from the western side of Paardeberg. The majority, 85%, comes from vines planted in 1966, with the rest from vines planted in 1980. These old vines have adapted over decades to produce exceptional grapes in tough conditions, resulting in a wine that is a true expression of its terroir. In the cellar, the grapes are destemmed and pressed, then left to settle overnight. The 1966 portion is fermented and aged in a concrete tank, while the 1980 portion is fermented in a 500-liter French oak barrel. Both parcels spend 10 months on their lees without bâtonnage.

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za 95/100:

Grapes from a 1966 Paardeberg vineyards. Peach, gentle citrus, herbs and leesy complexity on the nose. Broad and textural on the palate with integrated acidity and a gently savoury finish. Appears richer than the stated alcohol of 13.1% suggests – full of this winemaker’s quiet confidence, even so.

Polkadraai, Stellenbosch WO

This Syrah comes from a vineyard on Karibib Farm, located on a steep, south-facing slope of the Polkadraai Hills at an elevation of 290m. The grapes were 100% whole-bunch fermented with natural yeasts, with one daily punch-down. After pressing, 15% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrels and 85% in Italian concrete. The wine was aged for 11 months before being blended and bottled.

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za 97/100:

Grapes from Polkadraai Hills. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Gorgeous aromatics of red and black berries orange, rose, fynbos and white pepper. The palate is pure and energetic with powdery tannins – this vintage has weight which Polkadraai can sometimes lack a little bit. The wine nevertheless is elegant and poised with a long, insistent finish – very nicely judged. 

Om symbolises the concept of universal creation. This word is also synonymous with peace. The vineyard is situated in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge region, a beautiful and peaceful place close to Jessica's heart. W.O. Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Matured for 10 months in 228-litre barrels, partially new. Dark cherry, earth and spice. The palate has impressive structure – good fruit density, fresh acidity and firm but not coarse tannins, the finish deeply savoury.
Christian, Winemag.co.za 94/100.

Elandskloof WO

KAAIMANSGAT VINEYARD, VILLIERSDORP

Nom stands for nombulelo (gratitude in “Xhosa”) and Nomkhubulwane (a forgotten African goddess of agriculture). Situated at 700m altitude, the vineyard is a place where gratitude is instilled and tales appear. This extreme vineyard site has a shale origin with a significant portion of granite in the topsoil and clay throughout. I believe this gives breadth and power to the Nom. It lies at 700 m above sea level and is surrounded by tall mountains, making for a unique terroir ideal for the optimal ripening for Pinot Noir, in this case clones 115, 667 & 777. The vineyard was planted in 2008.

18 barrels produced.

Grapes are hand-picked, hand-sorted, cold-soaked, leading to spontaneous fermentation. The tannins are optimal after a relatively long post-fermentation maceration and then aging in 228-liter French oak barrels (new and older) for 10 months.

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za:

Expressive aromatics of orange, musk, red cherry and white pepper. The palate is opulent – saturated with ripe fruit, just enough acidity and smooth tannins. A wine of presence and generosity.

From three Swartland vineyards, John's Old Vine Chenin Blanc is spectacularly complex but precise with beautiful aromatics.

Christian Eedes, Winemag:
"Grapes from three Swartland vineyards, two Paardeberg vineyards on granite and one west of Malmesbury on more iron-rich soil. The nose is expressive, offering notes of pear, peach, a touch of lemon, hay and florals. The palate is rich and intense, yet brimming with energy, the finish deeply savoury. Dense but equally remarkably taut. 96/100"

"This is a Sauvignon Blanc for people who like old vine Chenins" quips John.

Christian Eedes, Winemag:
"Grapes from Citrusdal Mountain. Subtle aromatics of blackcurrant, white peach and nectarine, with a touch of reduction. Lovely fruit concentration and bright acidity precede a super-long, savoury finish. The most refined vintage to date—still powerful, as always, but now also purer and more taut. A precise expression of a remarkable site. 96/100"

Paper Kite is picked from an old block of Semillon with some natural Semillon Gris mutations, first planted in 1963 (Gris cuttings from this vineyard were planted for The Tin Soldier vineyard). Layers of umami, honey and salty sea breeze in this elegant, powerful wine.

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za:
“Grapes from a 1963 Swartland vineyard. Expressive but not overly primary aromatics of peach and nectarine, with subtle notes of hay and wax. The palate shows impressive fruit weight and layers of flavour, the texture thick and mouthcoating, the acidity seamlessly integrated. A distinct umami quality marks the finish. Powerful and sophisticated – built to last. 95/100"

Single Vineyard and Certified Heritage Vineyard (100% Chenin blanc)
W.O. Stellenbosch (Firgrove, close to False Bay shoreline). Rustenhof Farm - P. Bredell
Planted: 1978. Contours facing South East Wheathered Granite.
High in silica and feldspars. Sandy textured and well drained.

Christian Eedes, Winemag:
“Grapes from a vineyard planted in 1978. Sublime, extraordinarily intricate aromatics: fynbos and fennel, blossom and pear, peach, lime, lemon and green apple, all overlaid with a whisper of flinty reduction. The palate is taut and linear, intense without excess weight, coursing with energy. The finish is long, pithy, resonant. A wine of remarkable clarity – complex yet composed, and perilously close to complete. Alc: 12.5%. 98/100”

Single Vineyard and Certified Heritage Vineyard (100% Pinotage)
W.O. Stellenbosch
Rustenhof Farm (Firgrove/Lower Helderberg) - P. Bredell Planted: 1976
Clone unknown, interesting DNA here. 101-14 rootstock Decomposed Granite. High in silica. Sandy/Well drained.

Christian Eedes, Winemag
“Grapes from a vineyard planted in 1976. Heady aromatics of red and black cherry, plum, florals and fynbos. The palate shows plush fruit—rounded but not overly sweet, bright acidity lending balance. The tannins are soft, perhaps lacking a little grip, but the finish is still clean and dry. Harvested 18 January, alcohol at 13.5%. 92/100.”

Vivid ruby. Captivating aromas of red currants, raspberry, black cherry, and cranberries, with cedar, herbs, and spice. Lavish palate of dark plum and red cherry, with French oak, spices, and earthy notes. Velvety cocoa, forest berries, and exotic spice emerge. Elegant, intricate, with a long finish and aging potential.

"Matured for 20 months A compelling and complex nose of red and black berries, floral perfume, dried herbs, liquorice, vanilla and oak spice. The palate is full but equally shows excellent composure – pure fruit, bright acidity and firm but fine tannins. Structured and detailed, this is a very strong vintage of this wine. 96/100"

- Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

100% Syrah
Elim

Sourced from the distinct shale, gravel, and Ferricrete soils of Elim, this 100% Syrah was made with a minimalist approach. After a natural fermentation in open-top fermenters, the wine spent 10 months aging in a combination of new and older French oak barrels. This is a sophisticated Syrah with excellent aging potential.

“Matured for 10 months in barrel, partially new. Hugely aromatic with notes of red berries, fynbos and intense pepper. Light but not too light, with lemon-like acidity and silky tannins. Elegant and seamless, with no dip on the mid-palate. 96/100”

- Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za

Named after the Red Hot Chilli Peppers song of the same name. From Stellenbosch, 15-year-old trellised vines grown on granitic soils in the lower Helderberg, just 2km from the coast. This maritime influence is beneficial during the warmer months. Leaf removal helps prevent vegetal notes. Picked on February 14th, the grapes were sorted and crushed (no whole bunch) and underwent spontaneous fermentation in open-top fermenters with gentle handling. The wine matured for 9 months in older French oak barrels and was lightly filtered before bottling in December 2024.

"Grapes from the lower Helderberg on granitic soils. Matured for nine months in older oak. Alluring aromatics of rose, violet, the merest hint of herbs, red currant, blueberry, fynbos, tea leaf and a touch of pencil shavings. The palate is finely judged – good fruit density without excess, clarity of flavour, bright acidity and powdery tannins. Elegant, poised and precise, it charms with its vibrancy and finesse. Alc: 13.5%. 95/100" - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za