June 20, 2025
One of the Cape's greatest whites: Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2022
2022 Boekenhoutskloof Semillon
98-Points - “One of the Cape's greatest whites”
Founded in 1776 and revitalised in the 1990s, Boekenhoutskloof is one of South Africa’s most revered wine estates. Tucked away in Franschhoek, it balances heritage and innovation under the guidance of winemaker Marc Kent. Known for producing the iconic Chocolate Block and outstanding single-varietal wines, the estate champions site-specific expression and minimal intervention. Boekenhoutskloof has become a benchmark for South African wine, crafting elegant, age-worthy bottlings from both heritage vineyards and cutting-edge viticulture.
Boekenhoutskloof’s 2022 Semillon is a profound expression of ancient Franschhoek vineyards planted in 1902, 1936, and 1942. With 98 points from Tim Atkin MW, it marries layers of saffron, lanolin, gunflint, and citrus with remarkable texture and vibrancy. A small addition of early-picked Muscat adds lift, while ageing in amphora, concrete, and new oak builds depth. Elegant yet powerful, this is one of South Africa’s greatest white wines—ethereal, age-worthy, and utterly captivating in every detail.
Outside of Bordeaux, there are only a handful of truly great Semillons in the world—and this is unquestionably one of them. Scoring 98-Points from Tim Atkin MW and coming in at a modest price tag of €31.50* IB per bottle, we can’t recommend this enough.
Semillon truly comes into its own with age, so add these to your collection, tuck them away, and let time do the work. You won’t regret it.
Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2022
€31.50* In Bond per bottle
98 Points | Tim Atkin MW
"Wow!". That sums up what I feel about the latest vintage of this stunning Semillon from three parcels in Franschhoek, planted in 1902, 1936 and 1942. One of the Cape's greatest whites, made by one of its most talented winemakers in Gottfried Mocke, it has aromas of saffron, lanolin and nutmeg, stylish 70% new wood, a touch of petrichor and aniseed and layers of citrus, lemongrass and gunflint.
19 Points | Matthew Jukes
This ancient vine Semillon (with its hints of blushing Muscat) has never looked more alluring. The expansive but slender chassis gives way to a brittle, teasing finish, and the floral, silver needle, and jasmine notes are overwhelmingly rhythmic and hypnotic. 2022 Boek Sem experience is like no other Semillon on earth.
95 Points | Decanter
This stunning Sém is made from some of South Africa's oldest vines: two vineyards planted in 1902 and 1942 in the ancient Franschhoek riverbed and the La Colline vineyard, planted in 1936 on a slope further up the valley. The blend also contains a small percentage of early-picked Muscat of Alexandria from the 1902 vineyard, to add acidity rather than aromatics. It is skin-fermented and matured in amphora, while the Semillon ages for 14 months in 70% new French oak barriques and 30% in concrete eggs, allowing texture to develop. Such purity and vibrancy to the golden citrus aromatics, with zesty grapefruit and honeyed nuttiness. Complex and concentrated palate, driven by a streak of minerality, with layers of pristine citrus and stone fruit, hints of nuts, apple and chamomile; a touch of salinity too. Textured and long, this will continue to deliver with time in bottle.
*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.