Kanonkop Kadette Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 92/100

Kanonkop Kadette Cabernet Sauvignon from Stellenbosch reveals aromas of ripe black plum, cassis, dried sage and a touch of vanilla spice. It's dry and medium to full-bodied with smooth, fine-grained tannins and lively acidity that keeps the wine balanced through a long finish. Serve it at room temperature alongside grilled lamb chops with rosemary where the wine's structure and dark fruit complement the charred, herbaceous meat, or pair it with beef and mushroom pie where the wine's savory notes and firm tannins cut through the rich, hearty filling. Head winemaker Francois van Zyl, who took over in November 2024 as only the fourth winemaker in Kanonkop's 50-year history, crafts this wine from grapes sourced from select Stellenbosch growers, then ferments it in open-top concrete tanks with manual punchdowns before aging in French oak barrels. The Kadette range was created in the mid-1980s when demand for Kanonkop's estate wines surged beyond what the estate vineyards could supply, and the name "Kadette" cleverly plays on the military theme of "Kanonkop" (cannon hill), positioning it as the junior partner to the flagship wines while maintaining the same exacting standards that have made Kanonkop one of South Africa's most celebrated producers. Enjoy this approachable Cabernet through 2032.

Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled game sausages, roast game hens, turkey.

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This Kanonkop Kadette Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 was reviewed on March 7, 2026 by Natalie MacLean

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Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.

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