Wine lovers will be interested to see South African Wines featuring well in the latest Wine Spectator Ratings and Reviews (March 31, 2009). Here are just four of the outstanding performers:

• Vin de Constance, Klein Constantia 2004 earned a stellar 94 points.
• Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2006 - 92 points.
• Kanonkop Pinotage Simonsberg, Stellenbosch 2006 - 91 points.
• Mulderbosch Faithful Hound, Stellenbosch 2005 - 90 points.

For more on these wines and others see the list published by Cape Classics, "the preeminent US importer of the Cape's vinous treasures" here.

Wine Spectator defines their 100-point scale as follows:
95-100: Classic; a great wine
90-94: Outstanding; a wine of superior character and style
85-89: Very Good; a wine with special qualities
80-84: Good; a solid, well-make wine
70-79: Average; a drinkable wine that may have minor flaws
60-69: Below average; drinkable but not recommended
50-59: Poor, undrinkable; not recommended