Knorhoek Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic, structured red wine from Simonsberg in Stellenbosch, where Cabernet Sauvignon truly thrives. It shows ripe South African fruit, but with a firm, cool backbone, making it both charming to drink now and suitable for a few years of cellaring.
The grapes come from higher-lying vineyards on the slopes around Knorhoek, where cool nights and well-drained soils produce small, concentrated berries with thick skins and plenty of aroma. The wine is traditionally fermented and then matured in oak barrels, mainly French, which add structure, spice and complexity without overpowering the fruit.
Flavour profile
Appearance: Deep, dark ruby colour with a hint of purple at the rim.
Nose: Intense aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and plum, supported by cedarwood, pencil shavings, dry tobacco, dark chocolate and a touch of vanilla and spicy oak.
Palate: Full-bodied and firm, with dark berry fruit up front – blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry – followed by notes of liquorice, cocoa, dried herbs and gently toasted oak. The tannins are pronounced but ripe, and the acidity is fresh, giving a powerful yet well-balanced impression.
Finish: Long and dry, with lingering notes of dark fruit, graphite, cedar and an elegant, subtly spicy oak character.
Food and serving suggestions Knorhoek Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent food wine:
Perfect with beef, lamb, game, grilled steaks, braised dishes and rich pasta.
Also very good with mature hard cheeses and charcuterie.
Serve at about 16–18 °C, preferably after an hour in a decanter to let the fruit and complexity unfold fully.
