2015 Big Flower Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch 750 ml

Under-$20 Cape Cabernet from Vintage of the Century

This South African red from outside Stellenbosch is one of our most exciting finds of the year, wowing everyone around the Wine Access tasting table. Tim Atkin MW has called Ginny Povall of Botanica among “the best New Wave producers,” laying 93-96 point scores on her releases. But dollar for dollar, it’s this rich, deep 2015 Big Flower Cabernet Sauvignon that takes the cake, offering soft, smooth tannins, smoke, tobacco, and plump blue fruit for under-$20. Grown on steep, high-density vineyards in Devon Valley, it’s packed with New World opulence. If you’re looking for a bombshell Cabernet Sauvignon to pair with a weeknight dinner, this is it. A smoking value at just $17.99 a bottle—a Cabernet of this quality would be triple the price in Napa.

Tim Atkin MW has called South Africa “currently the most exciting wine-producing country on the planet.” He attributes this renaissance to three factors: young winemakers determined to realize the full potential of Cape viticulture, a deeper understanding of the region’s climate and terroir, and a democratic community of local vintners who don’t truck with elitism. Among that group, Atkin has singled out Ginny Povall and her wines on numerous occasions, ranking the Botanica Chenin Blancs among the best in the country. She was arguably the first to discover the miraculous mountain vineyards of Skurfberg, beating out Cape legends like Eben Sadie and Anthonij Rupert.

Povall was formerly a high-powered consulting executive in New York who gave up big city life to move to South Africa, buying Protea Heights Farm which in the 1940s was the first commercial farm to cultivate the protea, South Africa’s national flower. In 2009 she began planting her first vineyards, focusing on Bordeaux varieties. Of her 53 acres, just thirteen are dedicated to vineyards. The north-northwest-facing Cabernet plot is uniquely planted due to its steep incline, with high vine density and each vine trained to its own stake in the echalas trellising system often used on the slopes of Côte-Rotie. This system maximizes aeration and sun exposure, accounting for this wine’s bracing freshness and supple concentration.

Ginny told us 2015 is the greatest vintage she’s seen yet. The critics agree, with Wine Enthusiast writing that the year “marks a Golden Age for South African wine.” The vintage of the century in Stellenbosch started with a wet winter, ensuring the vines were well-rested with ample reserves of water. Spring was warm and dry, allowing for even, incremental growth. The growing season’s one heat wave came at the perfect time—during veraison, when the grapes change their color—making for full, rich ripening. Perfect cool weather all the way to the end of harvest allowed a patient pick for each vineyard and variety in its own time.

A full-throttle, luscious Cabernet from one of the Cape’s most exciting winemakers—a slam-dunk deal for under-$20.