Worth Celebrating: Platter's 2026
Two 5-Stars and Three "Highly Recommended"
Our Landscape Series Elodie 2024 and Cabernet Franc 2023 both earned five stars with 95 points. Seeing Elodie achieve its second consecutive 5-star rating feels like validation of everything we believe about those remarkable old Swartland bushvines. And our Cabernet Franc's first 5-star rating? A milestone worth celebrating.
Three of our wines earned the "Highly Recommended" designation: Era René 2024, Syrah on Sandstone 2023, and Syrah on Shale 2023 – each scoring 4.5 stars with 94 points. Three different expressions of place, all shaped by the distinctive soils beneath our vines.
In total, nine Gabriëlskloof wines achieved 4.5 stars or above. Our Landscape Series continues to show what happens when you match the right variety to the right soil, whilst both Projects range wines proved that experimentation and quality aren't mutually exclusive.
Go Peter-Allan! Crystallum got Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of the Year
What makes this Platter's week even more special is celebrating alongside Crystallum. Peter-Allan, who serves as cellarmaster for both Gabriëlskloof and Crystallum, guided Crystallum to extraordinary heights, earning Chardonnay of the Year and Pinot Noir of the Year.
To boot, Six Crystallum wines earned five stars:
- Mabalel – 98 points
- Clay Shales – 97 points
- Peter Max – 95 points
- Agnes – 95 points
- Ferrum – 95 points
- Cuvée Cinema – 95 points
These wines are made right here in our cellar, and watching Peter-Allan's meticulous work with both Crystallum and Gabriëlskloof is a daily reminder of what dedication to craft looks like.
A Shared Journey
These results reflect lots of careful work – Dean's attentive vineyard management, Peter-Allan's and Anmar's thoughtful winemaking, and our entire team's commitment to expressing place through wine. From our estate vineyards in Bot River to the old-vine sites we source from across the Cape, every decision is made with the long view in mind.
Here's to the 2026 vintage ahead, and to many more years of making wines we're proud to share.
