Provenance

Producer

Critics Ratings

2013
'From Jeroboam. Owner/winemaker Craig Wessels wanted to show how well this wine ages. - Deep garnet with brick rim. Plenty of mulchy undergrowth now adding complexity and a sweet richness on the nose. More obviously leafy on the palate. Ageing beautifully and slowly, still rich and harmonious with a bite of freshness on the finish.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Oct 2022)

Previously just with variety name. 13 poised, lively & delicious, after slighter, greener 12 (4*). One of the Cape's more characterful & elegant cabs - properly dry, fresh & under 14% alcohol. Balanced, charming & ripe, though some find it too herbal.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*

'Craig Wessels is the only person to have made a success of stand alone Cabernet Sauvignon in the Hemel-en-Aarde region, but what a triumph this is. Leafy, herbal. Poised and cassis scented, with finely judged tannins and oak, refreshing acidity and a long, tapering, stony finish.' - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2016, 95/100

'Bright ruby-red. Aromas of currant, boysenberry, spicecake and chocolatey oak. At once sweet and firm, boasting a tight, vibrant yet creamy and seamless core of dark berry and sexy spicy oak flavors. The wine's enticing sweetness carries past the pliant, fine-grained tannins. With its combination of suave mouthfeel and energy, this Cabernet is built to gain in complexity with more time in the cellar, but it's also supple and sweet enough to enjoy now.' - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 90/100 (March 2017)

'Lovely blackcurrant nose with some cedar and gravel notes. Beautifully perfumed. Fresh, supple, restrained and beautifully drinkable with some sweetness but also lovely purity and a gravelly blackcurrant core. Really delicious and expressive with lovely purity.' - Jamie Goode, 94/100

2014
'Leafy dark fruit. Finely textured, refined tannins. Definitely cooler climate but still with fully ripe cassis and flavours. Very firm grip at the moment. Needs more time and/or food.' - Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17+/20 (Oct 2017)

'Classic blackcurrant, cedar & herbal notes on 2014, cool-climate herbaceous hint well covered by ripe fruit. Fresh & vital, thriving acid & tannin important to character. 20% new oak; 14.1% alcohol. As always, less rich & fulsome than cab from warmer regions.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5* (92/100)

2015
'The perfumed nose offers pressed rose petals infusing the black fruit with touches of singed leather and black truffle coming through in time. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle, graphite-tinged opening, fine grip and moderate weight with a tobacco-infused finish. Classy and classic in style.'- Neal Martin, Vinous, 91/100 (Aug 2023)

'There are slightly more Cabernet Sauvignons in the cool Hemel-en-Aarde Valley than you'd imagine (three to precise), but this is easily the best of the trio. Fresh, savoury and herbal with fine tannins, good structure and density and an artist's use of wood ageing. 2020-28.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 95/100

'Single-vineyard, classic style 2015 shows cool-climate purity, vibrancy in its blackcurrant, herbal & cedar notes. Youthful tautness suggests 10+ year maturation. The fruit is perfectly ripe & persists with delicious savoury length. Stylish 20% new oak trim.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (93/100)