Every bottle of Copeland Reserve tells a story of rescue, conviction, and craft. Matthew Copeland is a winemaker of genuine passion and precision — and the Copeland Reserve range was born from an act of quiet determination: when the Vondeling estate, where these wines were originally made, turned its focus elsewhere, Matthew stepped in to save the wines he had crafted, releasing them under his own label rather than let them disappear. The result is a range of wines that carry with them not just the character of their exceptional South African terroir, but the personal commitment of a winemaker who refused to let great fruit go to waste.

The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from two outstanding sites: family-farmed vineyards in the Voor-Paardeberg region of Paarl — one of the Cape’s most exciting and increasingly celebrated wine areas — alongside a small, select vineyard in Stellenbosch, the heartland of South African fine red wine. Grapes are hand-harvested in the early hours of the morning to preserve the vibrancy and integrity of the fruit, then destemmed and meticulously sorted before a partial crushing that promotes slow, gentle extraction of tannin and colour. Carefully managed punch-downs, gentle pump-overs, and moderate fermentation temperatures build the wine’s longevity, structure, and character with real precision. Eighteen months in 300-litre French oak barrels — one third new — allows the fruit and tannin to harmonise beautifully, with the oak supporting and elevating the wine’s complexity without ever overshadowing its natural expression.

The 2024 is a Cabernet of real distinction: a dense charcoal-red in the glass, with classic aromas of blackcurrant and dark cherry on the nose. On the palate, vibrant blue and blackberry fruit is layered with a luxurious, slightly smoky finish that is full-bodied, persistent, and deeply satisfying — refined, engaging tannins and a bold fruit-driven conclusion that speaks of both the quality of the fruit and the skill of the winemaker. Energetic and complex, with impressive depth and concentration. Pairs beautifully with braised beef brisket or barbecued ribs. At £24.99, it is Matthew Copeland at his most compelling.