Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2017: Panel tasting results

Le Riche was founded by Cabernet legend Etienne le Riche in 1996. His son Christo now heads the winemaking team. Aiming to express the best...

From Marc Kent’s Franschhoek-based winery – home of the well-known brand Chocolate Block. Grapes from northwest-facing slopes of decomposed granite, Table Mountain sandstone and what...

In 1971, this Simonsberg estate was the first to release an officially certified Cabernet Sauvignon, made by the winemaker Etienne le Riche. The oldest Cabernet...

The Mackenzie family bought this Bottelary Hills farm in 1987. Since then it has embraced regenerative farming, overseen by winemaker Carl Schultz and viticulturist Wilhelm...

One of the oldest red wine producers in South Africa, this Helderberg estate has been under vine since 1919. The farm itself was established in...

Bought by the Jordaan family in 1954 before being sold in 1997 and then repurchased in 2006, Bartinney’s 12ha of vines sprawl loftily across the...

This Banghoek estate is owned by British-born Laurence Graff of the eponymous diamond company. It’s a relatively new concern; Graff bought the property in 2003...

Regal nose with concentrated dark fruit, plums, cedar, and violets. Predominant oak, black cherries, savoury spice, and balanced acidity. Sublime depth, with power and style.

Widely regarded as South Africa’s first négociant, Neil Ellis released his debut vintage in 1984. These days the winery still sources its grapes from growers...

Crushed rocks, flint, herbs, and black fruit, with a savoury and austere profile. Plummy, blackcurrant, and menthol blend seamlessly with refined cedar and black tea...

A complex, muscular wine with woody herbs, black fruit, and floral notes. Firm structure, citrusy lift, and rich tobacco evolve into a dark, seductive profile...

Aromas of dusty bookshop, cherries, cinnamon, and kitchen spice lead to a palate of dense black fruit, balanced with savoury undertones. Clean dark fruit, violets,...

Fresh and fruity, with hints of fynbos. Palate: Bright and lively, with delicate tannins. Flavours of dark plums, violets, black fruit, graphite, Jing tea, and...

Menthol lift, with perfumed berries and incense mingle with smoke. Floral notes of rose buds and violets, with wood spice, plummy tones, and sage. Rich...

Fresh pomegranate with date spice and dried fruit hints, evolving positively. Dark fruit, firm tannins, cocoa, spice, blueberries, cassis, violets, herbaceous, tea, juicy cherries, and...

A vibrant red fruit entry with savoury hints of tobacco, cinnamon, and clove. A juicy palate, with elegant dark fruit, sweet and orange spice, and...

Kirsch-infused Christmas cake with inviting aromas, transitioning to dried fruits and smoke. Graceful palate with sappy berry fruit, dark chocolate, violets, and spice. Concentrated, yet...

Delicate and nuanced, this wine presents classic cassis and herbal-spice notes, abundant redcurrant fruit with hints of orange zest, and a touch of dried fruit....

Complex, spicy aroma with cloves, cinnamon, and red-black fruit nuances. The palate reveals powerful blackcurrant, plum, and spice, supported by lively acidity and firm tannins....

Cedar, spice, black and red berries with hints of smoke and flint. Alcohol is noticeable, evolving into dried fruit and black tea notes. Concentrated, balanced...

Clove, tobacco, juniper, and herbs intertwine. Palate evolves with richness, ripe tannins, and balancing freshness. Blueberries, menthol, liquorice, and tea with crunchy fruit and vanilla...

A bouquet of floral freshness and perfumed charm, blending red and black cherries. Generously layered with fleshy fruit and robust tannins, it exudes class, freshness,...

High-toned aromatics of mint and red cherries with ground spice notes. Slender and fresh on the palate, red-fruited with tangy acidity. Juicy mouthfeel with blackberries,...

Deep purple fruit with creamy oak and garrigue hints. Full, round palate with chalky tannins, notes of pencil shavings and savoury blueberries. Initially closed, but...

Aromas of ripe prunes, biltong and date spice evolve into a complex, spicy palate with dried fruit and vibrant orange acidity. Drinking well with blackcurrant...

Mulberries and cinnamon lead to a gently savoury, almost yeasty note. Opulent blackcurrant core smoothed by juicy tannins and red-fruit acidity. Notes of graphite, blueberries,...

Briny black olives and flint mingle with black plum and cassis. The palate reveals dark fruit with a thread of freshness, herbaceous notes of blueberries,...

Boasting green herb tones, ample pyridine, and cool aromas of liquorice and toast. Nervy, lean, with emerging dried fruit, focused with violet, blueberry notes, and...

Creamy top notes mingle with black cherries, blueberries, and hints of smoke. Generous palate loaded with juicy fruit and good freshness. Dark-fruited notes of graphite...