Miles Mossop Chapters Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa 75cl

Miles Mossop built his reputation over many years in the Stellenbosch cellar before setting out under his own name. His Chapters range gathers classic varietal wines made with the same attention he gives his flagship bottlings, honest expressions of place at a friendly price.

This Cabernet Sauvignon draws on the Polkadraai Hills on the western side of Stellenbosch, where decomposed granite soils and cooling breezes off False Bay stretch out the ripening season. The result is a Cabernet built for structure and freshness rather than sheer weight, a red made to sit at the table alongside good food.

The 2022 growing season in Stellenbosch was kind, giving even ripening and healthy, concentrated fruit. Cabernet from Polkadraai tends to carry a firm, cool-climate backbone, and this vintage gave the ripeness to match it. The wine was matured for close to two years in barrel, a patient elevage that settles the tannins and folds the oak quietly into the fruit.

In the glass it shows cassis and blackberry, dried herbs, and a savoury note of cedar and tobacco spice. The palate is medium to full, with firm but polished tannins and a dry, lingering finish. Decant it while it is young, or give it a few years in the cellar, and pair it with roast lamb, a ribeye or a mature hard cheese.

If you enjoy classic Bordeaux-style Cabernet Sauvignon with a cooler-climate poise, this Stellenbosch red is a natural fit. It is well made, true to its variety, and built to improve over the next several years.