Well-known British wine commentator Tim Atkin MW, who has described South Africa as “the most exciting wine-producing country in the New World” has scored no fewer than 12 Nederburg wines 90 points or more in his authoritative new report on the country’s wine industry. He is calling the 2015 edition of the report, his most comprehensive on the local industry to date.

The wines, drawn from across Nederburg’s multi-tiered selection, span a Winemaster’s Reserve from the core range with a score of 94 to those from the acclaimed Heritage Heroes gourmet line-up, as well as the flagship Ingenuity blends and II Centuries varietal wines and Private Bin wines that are made exclusively for sale at the Nederburg Auction.

Said Razvan Macici, former cellar-master at Nederburg and now Distell’s chief winemaker: “It is very affirming to be ranked amongst the game-changers who are shaping the positive reputation of South African wine. To have so many high-scoring wines is fantastically motivating for the entire team!”

Atkin, a close observer of the South African industry, has become one of its most vocal supporters in recent years, highlighting the bold originality and often trail-blazing stylistic evolution of the country’s wines, a view now increasingly shared by other internationally prominent critics.

Nederburg’s highest scoring wine was the Winemaster’s Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2013, with a rating of 94. The same wine won a trophy at the International Wine Challenge earlier this year. Atkin gave the 2014 vintage of the Winemaster’s Reserve Special Late Harvest, 93 points. Both wines feature in his list of South Africa’s best sweet and fortified wines this year.

Four of the five wines in the individually named Heritage Heroes collection earned 90 or more. The Young Airhawk 2014, a wooded Sauvignon blanc, came in at 92; The Beautiful Lady Gewürztraminer 2013 at 91; while the 2013 Rhône-style red blend, The Motorcycle Marvel; and The Anchorman 2014, a wooded Chenin blanc both achieved 90.

The II Centuries Sauvignon Blanc, ranked as one of Atkin’s top wines of the varietal, scored 92, while the II Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, rated 91. Both wines are made from individually selected vines. The Ingenuity White 2014, an eight-way blend led by Sauvignon blanc took 91. The 2011 vintage recently scored 93 in a tasting organised by UK magazine, Decanter. He gave the maiden 2012 vintage of the Ingenuity Spanish-style red, a blend of Tempranillo and Graciano, 90.

The Private Bin R104 Petit Verdot 2010 also scored 90, as did the Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc 2014.

Macici said Atkin’s top scores had been for Nederburg wines from across the range and pricing spectrum, from the hand-made, small-editions to those sold more widely. “These accolades underscore the assiduous quality focus applied throughout the cellar, irrespective of the positioning or price of the wines involved.”

Nederburg is South Africa’s most awarded winery.

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