Ashton Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2023. Deep ruby bottle, South African single varietal red. Available at The Wine Box Kenya, Nairobi.

Ashton Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

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KShs1,515 incl. of VAT

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Unlike entry level Cabernet Sauvignon from hotter sites, which can feel jammy and over extracted, the Ashton Winery expression maintains acidity and tannic structure. Furthermore, the 12 months in French and American oak adds complexity without the heavy toast of higher new oak percentages. As a result, the wine achieves a balance of concentration and drinkability that mass market alternatives often miss. For those comparing structured red options in Nairobi, this Robertson Cabernet Sauvignon offers genuine varietal character and food compatibility at a price point that undercuts most comparable Chilean or Australian labels.

TASTING NOTES

Deep ruby with a purple rim. The nose is powerful and primary. Initially, blackcurrant, cassis and dark plum dominate. The warm site signature is unmistakable. However, with 45 minutes in the decanter, graphite, cedar and a faint tobacco note emerge from the oak and vineyard. Furthermore, black olive, dried herb and a trace of eucalyptus develop over time. On the palate, the wine is medium to full in weight. The entry is firm and fruit driven. The tannins are moderate and fine grained, providing grip without harshness. Additionally, the acidity is bright and balancing, carrying flavours of black cherry, blackberry and a hint of dark chocolate through the mid palate. The 12 months in oak leave a trace of vanilla pod and baking spice on a finish of graphite, blackcurrant skin and mineral chalk that persists for 30 seconds. This wine drinks well now with air.

Food Pairing

At 14% ABV and with moderate tannin, this Cabernet Sauvignon pairs with a wide range of dishes. Grilled ribeye with herb butter and beef short rib are therefore the strongest matches. The wine’s tannin and blackcurrant character mirror the intensity of charred and roasted red meat. Additionally, lamb chops with rosemary, hard aged cheeses and mushroom risotto with truffle oil work well at the table. The acidity cuts through richness cleanly. For an evening where the occasion calls for something structured and reliable, this is the bottle that delivers. A Saturday braai, a dinner party with red meat on the menu, or a midweek gathering where the goal is a full bodied red that holds its own. Decant for 45 minutes before serving.
What You Need to Know:
What does this Cabernet Sauvignon taste like compared to a Napa Valley example?
This is more structured and less overtly ripe than Napa Cabernet. The Robertson valley gives blackcurrant and graphite with moderate tannin rather than the plush, full bodied intensity of California. It is consequently more food friendly and earlier drinking. Think of it as a midpoint between Bordeaux and Napa in weight and style.
Is this too tannic for someone who usually drinks Pinot Noir?
If your reference is light, silky Pinot Noir, this will feel firm and structured. The tannins are present but fine grained. Decanting for 45 minutes softens the entry. It is consequently a step up in intensity rather than a radical departure.
Should I drink this now or cellar it?
It drinks well now with 45 minutes of decanting. However, the structure will soften and integrate through 2027. The optimal window is therefore 2025 to 2027. Not a long term cellar candidate, but it will improve short term.
What food works best with this Cabernet Sauvignon?
Grilled ribeye with herb butter, beef short rib and lamb chops with rosemary are ideal. The moderate tannin and bright acidity suit grilled and roasted red meat. Additionally, hard aged cheeses and mushroom risotto with truffle oil work for more elaborate occasions.
How does Robertson Cabernet Sauvignon differ from Stellenbosch?
Robertson is warmer than Stellenbosch, giving riper fruit and fuller body. Stellenbosch tends to be more structured and elegant with greater ageing potential. Robertson consequently offers more immediate generosity and a more fruit driven expression at a lower price point.
Does the screwcap affect ageing?
No. Screwcap eliminates cork taint and ensures consistent ageing. For a wine intended for consumption within 3 years, it is the more reliable closure. The gradual micro oxygenation of cork is unnecessary at this ageing horizon.
What should I do if this bottle is out of stock?
Our customer service team can help you find a suitable alternative or source the product where possible. Reach out before your event.
How fast can I get this Cabernet Sauvignon delivered in Nairobi?
Nairobi orders placed before 9 PM qualify for same day delivery, typically completed within a 1 hour window. Free delivery applies to orders above KES 3,000 within Nairobi. Orders outside Nairobi are delivered nationwide across Kenya within 24 to 48 hours.
Vintage: Varieties:

Description

A single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa’s Western Cape, now available in Nairobi, Kenya. The 2023 vintage delivers blackcurrant and graphite intensity through fruit grown in the Robertson valley.

The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is built around concentration and immediacy. The fruit comes from warm, low yielding blocks in the Robertson valley where Cabernet ripens fully without losing acidity. Small berry size is the target. Smaller berries mean thicker skins, more colour and greater tannin density. Ashton Winery farms for this deliberately, reducing crop loads to concentrate flavour rather than maximising volume.
The 2023 growing season was warm and dry. As a result, the Cabernet achieved full phenolic ripeness with blackcurrant and cassis at the core. Additionally, the winemaking team employed pump overs during fermentation to extract colour and tannin gently. The wine then aged 12 months in French and American oak. The French component adds cedar and structure. The American oak contributes vanilla and sweet spice. The blend is assembled before bottling to allow integration.
The price point is the defining feature. At under KES 2,500, this is one of the most concentrated single varietal Cabernet Sauvignons in its category on the Kenyan market. For buyers in Nairobi seeking a structured, food friendly red with genuine South African credentials, this is the practical choice at The Wine Box Kenya.

Product Facts

Vintage: 2023
Producer: Ashton Winery
Country: South Africa
Region: Robertson
Vineyard: Estate vineyards in the Robertson valley
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Style: Medium to full bodied, structured, fruit forward
ABV: 14%
Production Method: Hand harvested. Fermented in stainless steel with pump overs. Aged 12 months in French and American oak. Blended before bottling
Closure: Screwcap
Serving Temperature: 16 to 18°C. Decant 45 minutes before serving

About The Winery

Ashton Winery was established in the Robertson valley with a focus on expressing South Africa’s warm climate varieties. The approach is deliberate. Farm for low yields on warm valley floor sites, harvest at optimal ripeness, and employ oak ageing to build complexity without masking fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Chenin Blanc are the house specialties.
The Robertson valley, two hours east of Cape Town, has historically been associated with stone fruit and wine brandy production. A generation of growers has shifted focus to quality red wine, leveraging the valley’s warm days and cool nights. For buyers in Kenya, Ashton Winery represents one of the most transparent and value driven sources of authentic South African varietal wine. A label that punches above its price point from Robertson to Nairobi.
Free Delivery

We provide FREE DELIVERY for orders above Kshs. 3,000 within Nairobi. Orders outside of Nairobi will attract delivery charges, which will be calculated based on the cart size and your location. Orders outside of Nairobi are delivered through a logistics partner Fargo Courier.

Delivery Countrywide

We deliver anywhere* in Kenya and Orders outside of Nairobi will attract delivery charges, which will be calculated based on the cart size and your location. Orders outside of Nairobi are delivered through a logistics partner Fargo Courier.

*Please note that conditions apply to deliveries to Lamu and some coastal regions.

Free Click & Collect

We offer FREE Click & Collect services where you can choose to place your order on our website and collect it from our Warehouse in Karen. We're located at 76/77 Dagoretti Road, Karen (Opposite The Hub Karen) and your order will be ready within 60 minutes of ordering on the site. This is also a great opportunity to get to meet us in person (we'd love to meet you!).

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