Prescient Fund Services Cabernet Sauvignon Report 2026: Top 10
By Christian Eedes, 6 October 2026
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Introduction
This year’s Cabernet Sauvignon Report sponsored by Prescient Financial Services is now out. There were 71 entries received from 51 producers and these were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale.
Top 10
The 10 best wines overall are as follows:
95
Ernie Els Major Series 2024
Price: R279
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.5%
94
Benguela Cove Vinography 2023
Price: R669
Wine of Origin: Walker Bay
Abv: 14.5%
94
Delaire Graff Reserve 2023
Price: R1,209
Wine of Origin: Banghoek
Abv: 14.75%
94
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2022
Price: R559
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv:
94
Vriesenhof 2024
Price: R165
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14%
93
Babylonstoren 2024
Price: R319
Wine of Origin: Western Cape
Abv: 14%
93
Blaauwklippen 2024
Price: R295
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14.82%
93
Diemersdal The Journal 2024
Price: R519
Wine of Origin: Durbanville
Abv: 14.54%
93
Peter Falke Kailani 2021
Price: R825
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Abv: 14%
93
Zevenwacht Z Collection Reserve 2024
Price: R399
Wine of Origin: Polkadraai Hills
Abv: 14.68%
Shop online
Online wine shop Getwine is offering all of the top wines for sale – buy wine.
About the category
The traditional home of Cabernet Sauvignon is Bordeaux, particularly the so-called Left Bank vineyards situated west of the Gironde river and incorporating such famous appelations as Margaux, Pauillac, St-Estèphe, St-Julien and, further south, Graves.
Because Cabernet Sauvignon can be difficult to ripen fully, making for lean and astringent wines, it is often blended with plumper Merlot. However, the best wines from this variety display exceptionally deep colour, the characteristic aroma of blackcurrants (cassis) and a high level of tannins. In addition, they have an almost unequalled capacity to age in bottle.
In South Africa, Cabernet Sauvignon is the fourth most widely planted variety overall, making up 10.1% of the total area under vineyard at the end of 2025.
What does top Cabernet Sauvignon go for?
The average price of the 30 wines to rate 90-plus is R359 a bottle and of the Top 10 is R524.
Best buy
Offering the best quality relative to price is Koelenbosch 2023 from Koelenhof with a rating of 92 and selling for R120 a bottle.
Red and black berries, rose, herbs and oak spice on the nose. Medium bodied with pure fruit, bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. Balanced and detailed.
In-depth analysis
To read the report in full, including key findings, tasting notes for the top wines, buying guide (wines ranked by quality relative to price) and scores on the 100-point quality scale for all wines entered, download the following: PFS Cabernet Sauvignon Report 2026
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