“Seamless texture, effortless class with a weightless intensity on the finish. A simply beautiful Cape Bordeaux blend.“ - Greg Sherwood MW, 97 points

“Real class, with layers of fresh complexity.” -Decanter, Roger Jones, 97 points

After making the iconic and 100-point-scoring ‘Paul Sauer’ at Kanonkop for 23 years, Abrie Beeslar launched his own label in 2022 and this wine, ‘The Sacrament’, his flagship red, sold out before it had even hit the shelves. So, when we were offered a handful of cases of the follow-up vintage, we bit his hand off before even tasting it. Last week we finally had the chance to try it and it was so phenomenally good that we went to give Abrie a ‘high five’, but for reasons already cited, that didn’t work out too well. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with 40% Cabernet Franc, sourced from Helderberg and Banhoek, aged for 20 months in 100% new 225-litre French oak barrels. 14.5% alc. Drink now-2045.

Press reviews:

Greg Sherwood MW: “Sweet savoury black fruited magic, sappy, seductive and loaded with dried herbs, incense and black currant aromatics. Seamless texture, effortless class with a weightless intensity on the finish. A simply beautiful Cape Bordeaux blend expression.“ 97 points

Roger Jones (Decanter): “Real class, with layers of fresh complexity, toasty plum and blueberry, wild-foraged herbs. Leaves a wonderful mouthfeel.” 97 points

Victoria Mason MW (Decanter): “Incredible intensity and poise, with well-integrated oak, ripe fruit and silky tannins. This has a sense of direction that makes it stand out above the rest of the flight.” 95 points

Jason Millar (Decanter): “Open and enticing nose with abundant sweet spice interleaved with ripe, smoky red fruit, fynbos and dried herbs. Plush, with a long finish. Complex, seductive and refined.” 95 points

Tim Atkin MW (previous vintage): “Understandably sold out on release, although the wine will surely come up at auction in the future, The Sacrament is a head-turning new assemblage from Abrie Beeslaar of just 1,400 bottles. Partnering Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, deftly aged in new French oak, it's a class act, with seamlessly assembled flavours of toast, blackcurrant and fresh herbs, racy cranberry acidity and the concentration and structure to develop for a decade or more. Drink 2027-2038.” 97 points and ‘Red Wine Discovery of the Year’