Best South Africa Red Wine of 2025

Kiera Browne Avatar
Kiera Browne
Last Updated: 2 Feb 2025

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South Africa is home to some of the world's most renowned wine regions, producing a wide variety of red wine styles that are appreciated by wine lovers worldwide. South African red wines are known for their exceptional quality, unique flavour profiles, and rich history. The country's diverse climate and terroir allow for the production of a wide range of red grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Syrah, and Merlot, among others. These wines are characterised by their bold, fruity flavours, and smooth finish, making them a perfect choice for any occasion.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block Red Wine Cover #TOP 1
Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block Red Wine
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Anthonij Rupert Bordeaux Red Blend 75cl Cover #TOP 2
Anthonij Rupert Bordeaux Red Blend 75cl
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Cape Creek Pinotage Red Wine Bag in Box Cover #TOP 3
Cape Creek Pinotage Red Wine Bag in Box
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 8 South Africa Red Wine

Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block Red Wine

Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block Red Wine Cover
Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block Wine, 75 cl,

The Chocolate Block Wine offers an exotic experience with its vibrant vintage, featuring a delightful blend of prunes, mulberries, and cloves alongside floral notes. This complex profile ensures a rich tasting journey for you, making it perfect for special occasions. The firm ripe tannins add structure to the palate, enhancing the enjoyment of plums, blackberries, and olive tapenade. Sourced from distinctive regions, this wine reflects the unique terroir, promising a seamless and composed drinking experience that you will appreciate.

What We Like
Exotic flavour profile
Firm ripe tannins
Unique terroir sourcing
Seamless drinking experience
#TOP 2

Anthonij Rupert Bordeaux Red Blend 75cl

Anthonij Rupert Bordeaux Red Blend 75cl Cover
Anthonij Rupert, Optima, Bordeaux Red Blend, South Africa - 75cl

The Anthonij Rupert Red Blend is a captivating Bordeaux-style wine that combines 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 30% Merlot, alongside a touch of Petit Verdot. This blend has been matured in French oak barrels for 20 months, enhancing its texture to be silky, velvety, and smooth. You will enjoy flavours of ripe plums, hedgerow fruit, cocoa, and spice, making each sip a delightful experience. The wine's elegant complexity ensures a perfect balance of oak and fruit, making it an ideal choice for special occasions or relaxed evenings at home.

What We Like
Rich flavour profile
Well-balanced oak and fruit
Elegant and complex texture
Matured for enhanced quality
#TOP 3

Cape Creek Pinotage Red Wine Bag in Box

Cape Creek
684534
Cape Creek Pinotage Red Wine Bag in Box Cover
Cape Creek - Red Wine from South Africa - Pinotage Bag in Box BIB (1 x 3 L)

Cape Creek Pinotage is a delightful red wine from South Africa, a country renowned for its stunning wine regions. With a warm and airy climate, this Pinotage produces a fruity and aromatic profile, featuring ripe fruit notes like raspberry and strawberry, complemented by subtle spices. When you enjoy this wine, you will experience its roundness and silky tannins, making it well-balanced and satisfying. This versatile wine pairs wonderfully with a range of dishes, from red meats to cheeses, enhancing your dining experience.

What We Like
Fruity and aromatic flavour
Silky and well-balanced tannins
Versatile food pairing options
Unique South African grape variety
#TOP 4

Nederburg Winemasters Pinotage Red Wine, 75cl

65552
750ml
Nederburg Winemasters Pinotage Red Wine, 75cl Cover
Nederburg Winemasters Pinotage, 75cl South African Pinotage Red Wine

Nederburg Pinotage is a delightful red wine crafted from Pinotage grapes sourced from the renowned Darling, Stellenbosch, and Paarl regions of South Africa. You will be greeted with generous aromas of dark berries and juicy red fruit, complemented by a subtle hint of oak. The wine's lively black and red berry fruit compote makes it an exciting choice, perfect for pairing with rich winter stews, roast duck, or even chocolate. It's also a great gift for any wine-loving host at dinner gatherings, ensuring everyone enjoys a unique South African experience.

What We Like
Rich, succulent flavours
Versatile food pairing options
Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
Great gift for wine lovers

Vergelegen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine

45005B613
Vergelegen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine Cover
Vergelegen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 75cl

The Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon is a remarkable red wine from one of South Africa's oldest estates, established in 1700. Sourced exclusively from the estate's vineyards, this wine offers a complex blend of blackcurrants, spice, and ripe plums. You will appreciate its soft, ripe tannins and lingering aftertaste, making it an excellent choice for pairing with lamb or rib-eye steak. Accessible now, this wine can also be cellared for further enjoyment over the next 6-20 years.

What We Like
Award-winning estate
Complex flavour profile
Great with red meat
Cellaring potential
#TOP 6

Baleia Wines 100% Pinot Noir from South Africa

Baleia
Baleia Wines 100% Pinot Noir from South Africa Cover
Baleia Wines, Pinot Noir, South Africa, 75cl

Baleia Pinot Noir is a delightful red wine crafted entirely from Pinot Noir grapes. Aged for 10 months in French Oak barrels, this wine boasts a complex flavour profile that enhances your dining experience. The rocky soils where the grapes are grown contribute to a robust style with rich fruit complexity and smooth velvet tannins, making it a pleasure to sip. This wine offers great value for money, allowing you to enjoy premium quality without breaking the bank.

What We Like
100% Pinot Noir
Aged in French Oak
Lovely fruit complexity
Great value for money
Chunky style with velvet tannins
#TOP 7

Warwick The First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon 75cl

Warwick
41004B616
Warwick The First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon 75cl Cover
Warwick The First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon 75 cl

The Warwick The First Lady is a premium 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the renowned Stellenbosch region of South Africa. It features a delightful blend of dark chocolate, blackberry compote, cloves, and cracked pepper, providing you with an indulgent tasting experience filled with deep, dark fruits. This wine pays homage to Warwick's matriarch, a pioneering female winemaker in South Africa. It pairs perfectly with beef brisket burgers or a rib eye on the bone, making it an excellent choice for your next meal.

What We Like
Premium quality wine
Rich flavour profile
Perfect with hearty meals
Celebrates female winemaker legacy

Vergelegen Merlot Red Wine 75 cl

45006B614
Vergelegen Merlot Red Wine 75 cl Cover
Vergelegen Reserve Merlot 75 cl

The Vergelegen Merlot is a remarkable red wine from one of South Africa's oldest estates, established in 1700. Situated near the Hottentots Holland mountains, the estate spans over 3,000 hectares, offering a stunning backdrop for your wine experience. With over 200 awards, including prestigious accolades at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, you can trust in its quality. The wine's ripe plum colour and complex nose of black cherries and chocolate provide a delightful tasting experience, perfect for your next gathering or a quiet evening at home.

What We Like
Award-winning estate
Rich fruit flavours
Long-lasting aftertaste
Improves with age
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What red wine is South Africa known for?

The most famous South African wine is the Pinotage. It is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. It is a key component in many of the Cape blends but can also make outstanding single-variety offerings.

2. Is South Africa wine good?

South African wines offer impressively good value, and feature styles and tastes that are food friendly, blending elegance and power. South Africa has been producing wine since the first vines were planted in the 17th century, brought by the Dutch governors of Cape Colony.

3. Is South African cabernet sauvignon?

South Africa has a long history with Cabernet Sauvignon, both as a varietal and blended wine. ... The greatest acreage lies within the country's largest Wine of Origin (WO) area, the Stellenbosch district of the Coastal Region, with more than 7,300 acres planted.

4. What wines are made in South Africa?

Other red grape varieties found in South Africa include: Carignan, Gamay (often made in the style of Beaujolais wine with carbonic maceration), Grenache, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Pontac, Ruby Cabernet, Tinta Barroca and Zinfandel....Grape varieties.

Editor's Notes

During our south africa red wine research, we found 107 south africa red wine products and shortlisted 8 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,472 customer reviews through our big data system to write the south africa red wine list. We found that most customers choose south africa red wine with an average price of £16.43.

The south africa red wine are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of south africa red wine, including Boekenhoutskloof, Anthonij Rupert, Cape Creek, Nederburg, Vergelegen.

Written by
Kiera Browne Avatar

Kiera Browne served as chef and caterer in Purslane Restaurant for three years before establishing her restaurant. Kiera now owns two restaurants and a culinary school all over the United Kingdom. Kiera has featured in magazines and editorials, providing recipes for various dishes. Using her skills and knowledge in the culinary field, Kiera has published few pamphlets on preparing various cuisines.