The Prescient Cabernet Report Top 10 showcases one of SA’s star categories – Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon. A stand-out from the newly announced winners, in terms of its quality to price ratio, is the impressive 2017 Ernie Els Major Series.

Louis Strydom has, for quite some time now, been driving a Cabernet-focused strategy at Ernie Els, including replanting, introducing new clonal material and ever-greater refinement in the cellar. It would be hard to name an estate more focused and dedicated to Helderberg Cabernet at the moment and their 2017 Major Series speaks to these vast improvements.

The 2017 is undoubtedly New-World Cabernet with ample cassis and dark fruit, but balanced by chalky, firm and dry tannins. An excellent example of the highly-regarded 2017 vintage, this is a wine of power and balance at a super price.

Alongside this newly-released 2017 Major Series, we have secured a small parcel of the highly-rated 2015 Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon. From another stellar vintage, it offers a great opportunity to compare these two wonderful Stellenbosch vintages. Sourced directly from the cellar, please note there is only limited stock available.

Browse selected 2020 Prescient winners online.

Ernie Els, Major Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Matured for 20 months in French oak, 40% new. Aromatics of blue and black fruit, some attractive herbal character plus oak spice. Very rich and full yet still wonderfully detailed on the palate – this has a dense core of fruit too with smooth tannins and makes a big impression. – Prescient Cabernet Sauvignon Report 2020, Top 10 winner (93+/100)

Ernie Els, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
To highlight this groups excellent work, I recently revisited South Africa’s ‘Vintage of the Century’ and tasted through 28 excellent Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 reds from the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective members. Reductive cassis notes, saline black currant and oyster shell, graphite, cedar spice and a complex, concentrated finish. – Greg Sherwood MW, 94/100