This wine is proof, if proof were needed, that South Africa, or, more specifically, Franschhoek, or, more specifically, Franschhoek’s older vineyards, or, more specifically, the vineyards that lie at higher altitude along the Franschhoek valley, are… I’ve forgotten what I was going to say now…. oh yes, I remember… home to some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon (and blends thereof) on the planet.

Many of you will be familiar with Boekenhoutskloof, whose Cabernet Sauvignon lit the path towards international recognition for South African red wine as a serious category, and Stony Brook is following the light of that candle. All the grapes come from Franschhoek (not always a given among wines ‘produced’ here… ahem… Chocolate Block… ahem) and it blends a majority share of Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to produce a wine that is fleshy and rich and almost hedonistic in its panoply of flavours, ranging from dark plum and cassis to chocolate, soft tobacco leaf, bell pepper, cigar box, scuffed leather… I could go on. It’s a wine you can confidently take to a dinner party and expect more kudos than you probably should for £19.95. 14.5% alc. A blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Cabernet Franc and 28% Petit Verdot, matured in 30% new French oak barriques for 2 years. Drink now-2032.

Press review:

Greg Sherwood MW: “Camissa means ‘sweet water for all’ in Kora, the Khoi language of the Cape, and is only produced every few years when the blend changes with each release. The 2020 edition is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot made from fruit all sourced in the Franschhoek Valley, which is then matured in 30% new French oak barriques for 24 months before bottling. The 2020 offers up soft toned fragrant aromatics of violets and dried herbs, sweet cedar, red currants and cranberry fruits alongside generous notes of chocolate praline, tannery leather, graphite and freshly brewed breakfast tea. The palate is fleshy and creamy textured, medium bodied with a plush harmonious mouthfeel with supple soft tannins and delicately fresh, integrated acids. Plenty of accomplished winemaking on display here for a wine that definitely over delivers at its price point. Enjoy this delicious red blend on release and over the next 5 to 8+ years.” 91 points