Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon: know your vintages

2016

A tricky year marked by hot, dry conditions and drought. Picking dates were very important, but the top wines are very good

2015

Superb wines built for long ageing. One of the Cape’s best ever vintages, with near-perfect growing conditions

2014

A cooler and wetter year that, at its best, produced elegant ‘European-style’ Cabs. Pick and choose your producer with care 2013

A very late harvest this year gave the biggest ever crop in South Africa. Generally well-balanced wines, ageing well

2012

Lack of water, especially during flowering, reduced crop levels, but quality is generally good to very good. Drinking well now

2011

A vintage of climatic fluctuations – the leading producers tended to cope best with the variable conditions