Abingdon Wine Estate Kwazulu Natal Midlands Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 80 Points

Abingdon Estate Kwa Zulu Natal Midlands first Estate winery



Abingdon Estate, may claim the unofficial status of the highest vineyard in South Africa at approximately 1100 metres above sea level (Cederberg is the highest vineyard at 1069 metres in the Western Cape)

Owned by Ian and Jane Smorthwaite, the wine estate is situated in the picturesque Midlands area of Kwa Zulu Natal, one of South Africa’s newest Geographical Wine Units (The other one being the Eastern Cape GU, that’s for another day discussion!)

Abingdon is certified as an Estate producer using only Kwa Zulu Natal grown grapes.

From their just over 2 ha of vineyards, they produce quite a broad range from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier to Chardonnay.


To sum it up, Abingdon Wine Estate indeed shows potential for good quality clean wine, UN showy in style with fine attributes to be paired with food and as the vines ages, there should be more complex drops being made, Ian & Jane should be applauded for their effort and be daring enough to grow grape in a summer rainfall area.


Hereunder my initial impression of the previous vintage, the wines was tasted blind alongside Western Cape wines, group in the same category.

Abingdon Estate Kwazulu Natal Midlands Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 80 Points


Clear, day bright, cherry hue, medium concentration, medium viscosity, no evidence of gas or sediment.

Clean, low plus intensity, Cabernet austerity evident, with aeration reveals notes of cherry, just ripe plum, hints of tobacco and earthy note.

Dry, fresh with medium acid, medium plus tannin, medium alcohol, Old World restraint, balance but touch over extracted, results of young fruits macerated for too long! Delicate savoury black olives and dried lavender notes, good depth, medium finish, fine restraint, now until 2014

Served at 14 degrees Celsius with a grilled beef flank, lightly season with a rocket salad in light balsamic dressing