Malu Lambert, Andy Howard MW and Roger Jones tasted 43 wines, with 1 Exceptional and 7 Outstanding.
Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2017: Panel tasting scores
43 wines tasted
Exceptional 1
Outstanding 7
Highly recommended 21
Recommended 14
Commended 0
Fair 0
Poor 0
Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their 2017 vintage red wines made from a minimum of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, and produced in the Stellenbosch WO district and/or its wards
This tasting showed off the pedigree of Cabernet Sauvignon from Stellenbosch, as well as the nuances of its top wards. The quality was high, with about two-thirds of the wines scoring above 90 points.
Cabernet is the most-planted red grape in South Africa (9,110ha in 2023: SAWIS) and the majority of plantings are in Stellenbosch. The differences can be subtle, but each delineated area has its own discernible character. The Outstanding wines were a reflection of this.
Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores from the Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 panel tasting
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Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 panel tasting scores
Wines were tasted blind
{}
{"wineId":"84716","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84717","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84718","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84719","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84720","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84721","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84722","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84724","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84723","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84725","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84726","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84727","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84728","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84729","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84730","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84731","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84732","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84734","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84733","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84735","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84736","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84737","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84738","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84739","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84740","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84741","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84742","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84743","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"84744","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{}
The judges
Malu Lambert is a widely published wine writer based in South Africa. A taster for Platter’s Guide and judge on various panels, she won Emerging Wine Writer of the Year at the 2019 Louis Roederer Wine Writers’ Awards.
Andy Howard MW is a Decanter contributing editor and DWWA Regional Chair. A retail wine buyer for more than 30 years, he now runs his own consultancy Vinetrades, focusing on wine education, judging, investment and sourcing.
Roger Jones is the retired former owner of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn restaurant in Wiltshire. He is now a wine writer, judge, ambassador and consultant with a particular interest in the hospitality trade. He is a DWWA judge, with a focus on New World regions.
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