Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon

Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon is a South African red wine from Robertson's Breede River Valley, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. A perennial Wine Enthusiast "Best Buy" selection and Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards Gold medal winner, this Cabernet consistently punches above its weight class in the value-driven South African wine landscape.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Robertson, Breede River Valley, Western Cape, South Africa  |  Blend: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot  |  Producer: Excelsior Estate

Production & Heritage

Excelsior Estate has been in the De Wet family for four and now five generations, rooted in the limestone-rich soils of Robertson along South Africa's Breede River Valley. The estate made history in 1969 as the first wine property in South Africa to install drip irrigation — a pioneering move that signaled the family's commitment to progressive viticulture. The Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 10% Petit Verdot for added depth and structure, then aged 8 to 9 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. That dual-oak approach contributes both toasty vanilla richness from American oak and finer-grained spice from French cooperage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark plum and ripe blackcurrant lead the nose, layered with smoky undertones and subtle dried herb notes. Secondary aromas of cola, vanilla, and toasty oak develop with air, joined by a thread of coriander-like spice.

Taste: The entry is plush and fruit-forward, with juicy black cherry and plum flooding the mid-palate. Sweet fruit flavors are well-framed by spicy oak, while hints of licorice and charred smoke add dimension. The 10% Petit Verdot contributes noticeable structural grip, keeping the wine from tipping into softness.

Finish: Medium to long, with crushed-velvet tannins that feel smooth and ripe rather than astringent. Lingering notes of dark berry skin, sweet smoke, and a faint peppery warmth carry through to the close.

How to Drink Excelsior Cabernet

A slight chill to around 16–18°C (60–64°F) brings out the fruit definition; serving too warm will push the alcohol forward. This wine drinks well on its own or with food, and a brief 15-minute decant helps integrate the oak.

• Cabernet Sangria: The ripe dark fruit profile holds up to citrus and brandy without losing its backbone.
• Kalimotxo: The wine's plush sweetness and low tannin bite blend surprisingly well in this classic red wine and cola combination.
• Red Wine Reduction: Its smoky, plummy character concentrates beautifully when reduced for steak sauces or braised dishes.

Best For

• Weeknight dinner pairing when you want reliable quality without overthinking the selection
• Introducing friends to South African wine with an approachable, crowd-pleasing red
• Stocking a house wine that holds up across multiple pours over a dinner party
• Building a case of affordable, food-friendly Cabernets for the cellar

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Excelsior Cabernet taste like? Ripe dark plum and blackcurrant dominate, supported by smoky oak, vanilla, and licorice, with smooth tannins that lean toward fruit sweetness rather than austerity. The Petit Verdot component adds a firm structural backbone and a peppery lift on the finish.

How does Excelsior Cabernet compare to Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are widely available South African Cabernets, but Excelsior distinguishes itself with a 10% Petit Verdot blend that adds deeper color and firmer tannin structure, while its Robertson origin tends to yield riper, more fruit-forward wines than Nederburg's cooler Paarl-based vineyards. Excelsior's dual aging in both French and American oak also gives it a broader range of oak-derived flavors.

Is Excelsior Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes — its soft, ripe tannins and generous dark fruit make it an easy stand-alone glass, especially after a brief decant to let the smoky oak integrate with the fruit.

Where is Excelsior Cabernet made? Excelsior Estate is located in Robertson, within the Breede River Valley of South Africa's Western Cape, a warm inland region known for limestone-rich soils that produce ripe, concentrated red wines.

What foods pair well with Excelsior Cabernet? Grilled lamb chops work particularly well, as the smoky char mirrors the wine's toasty oak. Braised beef short ribs match its plush dark fruit weight. Aged cheddar or Gouda echo the vanilla and spice notes. Bobotie — a traditional South African spiced meat dish — bridges the wine's fruit sweetness and peppery finish. Dark chocolate with 60–70% cacao complements the licorice and plum tones.

What sizes does Excelsior Cabernet come in? The standard widely available format is 750ml.

Is Excelsior Cabernet worth the price? Excelsior positions firmly as an entry-level Cabernet that repeatedly earns accolades typically reserved for bottles at higher price points — multiple Wine Enthusiast "Best Buy" designations and an 86-point score from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate reinforce its strong value standing in the South African Cabernet category.

Why Excelsior Cabernet?

The repeated Wine Enthusiast "Best Buy" recognition and Michelangelo Gold medals for the 2019 and 2020 vintages confirm this is not a one-vintage fluke but a consistently well-made wine. The 90/10 Cabernet Sauvignon-Petit Verdot blend is a deliberate choice that gives the wine more color saturation and tannic grip than many single-varietal competitors at this tier. Excelsior Estate's five-generation farming legacy and history of viticultural innovation — including pioneering drip irrigation in South Africa — speak to a property that takes vineyard management seriously even at accessible price points. For drinkers looking for a dependable South African Cabernet with genuine complexity, the dual-oak aging and thoughtful blending make Excelsior a benchmark for value.