2017 Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Made since 2014. 6–8% Cabernet Franc. Destemmed. Berry selection for fermentation. 60% new French barriques, but made with neutral, long-seasoned oak. TA 5.2 g/l, pH 3.75. Tobacco leaf, vanilla cream and clove, with some fresh earth and black-cherry character. Firm, powdery tannins and some graphite complexity. Polished and ripe, but not overdone or overripe. True to its origin. (TJ)
Critic scores
Average Score
Tim Jackson MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon contains 4% Cabernet Franc and sees 18 months in 60% new French oak. It has a more Bordeaux-like aromatic profile than its Franschhoek counterpart, scents of cedar and mint infusing the blackberry and raspberry fruit. The oak is nicely integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and plump blackberry and raspberry fruit laced with clove and touches of violet. It finishes in much more "Cape" style, with fennel and a hint of aniseed lingering on the aftertaste. This just shows more personality and complexity than the Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon this year.
The 2017 Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. The nose begins with a dense and chewy core of black and red fruit—blackberries, dark cherry, cassis and rich, dusty plum all mix with subtle oak and floral tones. There is some dusty minerality on the palate. The wine is still tight and will need some time to come around, but the structure is bold and correct. The finish is structured and turns more to a black tea, tannic expression. I would let this one settle for a few more years before approaching it. 30,000 bottles made.