Cabernet Sauvignon – Stellenbosch's Royal Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon is Stellenbosch's most widely planted red grape variety, grown across the granite mountain slopes of South Africa's most important wine region, and tied to a turning point that transformed the entire industry in 1980.

Buy Cabernet Sauvignon wine now: from Kanonkop's award-winning Simonsberg vineyards to Meerlust's legendary Rubicon blend – our selection brings together the best of Stellenbosch's royal grape.

Discover more about Cabernet Sauvignon

Stellenbosch's Leading Red Variety

With around 11% of the total vineyard area, Cabernet Sauvignon is South Africa's most widely planted red grape variety – and nowhere is its significance greater than in Stellenbosch, the historic heartland of Cape winemaking. The variety likely arrived in the country around 200 years ago; since the 1920s it has been firmly linked to premium, single-varietal wines. Alongside Stellenbosch, Paarl and Robertson are among the most important growing regions, with further plantings in the Swartland.[2]

The Rubicon Moment

In 1967, Nico Myburgh of Meerlust Estate travelled to Bordeaux and recognised that the Eerste River Valley, with its cool sea breezes and granite-clay soils, bore a striking resemblance to the great Bordeaux estates – while the Cape wine world focused almost exclusively on single-varietal wines. Together with cellarmaster Giorgio Dalla Cia, he went on to create a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, released in 1980 under the name Rubicon – South Africa's first Bordeaux-style blend and a turning point for the entire industry.[1]

Flavours and Style

Typical notes include cassis, blackcurrant, plum and black cherry, complemented by spicy green pepper notes and, with barrel ageing, vanilla, mocha and smoke. South African Cabernet Sauvignon sits stylistically between the Old and New World: ripe and fruity, but never over-the-top – with firm tannins, lively acidity and strong ageing potential.[2]

Simonsberg and Kanonkop

At the foot of the Simonsberg, on weathered Clovelly and Hutton granite soils, lies Kanonkop – owned by the Sauer-Krige family since the early 1930s. Cooling breezes off False Bay ensure a slow, even ripening. In 2009, Kanonkop's Cabernet Sauvignon was named "Wine of the Year" in the Platter's Wine Guide, and the Cabernet-based blend Paul Sauer won the Pichon-Longueville-Comtesse-de-Lalande Trophy for best blended red wine at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2008 – the third time in the estate's history.[3]

Meerlust and the Rubicon Legacy

To this day, Rubicon remains the flagship wine of Meerlust Estate and proof that Cape Cabernet can hold its own against the world's great blends. What began as an experiment in 1980 now ranks among South Africa's most celebrated red wines.[1]

Le Riche and Thelema – Two More Cabernet Icons

Etienne le Riche, often referred to as the "king of South African Cabernet Sauvignon," crafted the country's first certified Cabernet in 1971 during his 20 years at Rustenberg Wines. In 1996 he founded his own winery, Le Riche Wines; his Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – first bottled in 1997 and made exclusively from top Stellenbosch sites such as Helderberg, Simonsberg and Jonkershoek – has twice been named "Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year."[4] Equally distinctive is Thelema Mountain Vineyards, founded in 1983 by Gyles and Barbara Webb: the vines for "The Mint" Cabernet Sauvignon grow high on the Simonsberg, where altitude and nearby eucalyptus trees give the wine its unmistakable, minty-fresh character.[5]

Food Pairing

Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully with red meat, game and mature hard cheeses. Try it with a grilled rack of lamb or a hearty braised dish.

Buy Cabernet Sauvignon From Us

Whether a historic Bordeaux-style blend from the Eerste River or an award-winning single-varietal from the Simonsberg – our range features Stellenbosch's finest Cabernet Sauvignon. Order online now, conveniently and easily.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cabernet Sauvignon

Why does Cabernet Sauvignon play such a central role in Stellenbosch?

With around 11% of the vineyard area, it's South Africa's most widely planted red grape variety, with Stellenbosch as its historic and qualitative heartland.

What was South Africa's "Rubicon Moment"?

In 1980, Meerlust Estate released Rubicon, the country's first Bordeaux-style blend, marking the shift from single-varietal wines to blends.

Since when has Cabernet Sauvignon been grown in South Africa?

Likely for around 200 years; since the 1920s it has been closely linked to premium, single-varietal wines.

What does South African Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?

Typical notes include cassis, plum and black cherry with spicy green notes, complemented by vanilla, mocha and smoke with barrel ageing, backed by firm tannins and good acidity.

Why is Kanonkop known for Cabernet Sauvignon?

The granite soils of the Simonsberg and the cooling breezes off False Bay have earned Kanonkop multiple accolades, including "Wine of the Year" in the 2009 Platter's Wine Guide.

Which regions lead Cabernet Sauvignon production in South Africa?

Stellenbosch, Paarl and Robertson are the key growing regions, with further plantings in the Swartland.

What foods pair well with Cabernet Sauvignon?

Red meat, game and mature hard cheeses pair particularly well, such as grilled rack of lamb or braised dishes.

What makes the Meerlust Rubicon so special?

It was South Africa's first Bordeaux-style blend in 1980 and remains one of the country's most celebrated red wines today.