Vergelegen

"NEW WORLD WINERY OF THE YEAR, Wine Enthousiast Magazine USA 2005" / "BEST SOUTH AFRICAN WINERY" Wine Magazine SA 2004-2008 / "MOST SUCCESSFUL PRODUCER" Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show SA 2002-2004/2006

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CHARDONNAY RESERVE *202316.25
This barrel-fermented Chardonnay was crafted from grapes grown on ancient granite soils. The wine unveils a lemony, yellow-green hue and the character weaves together notes of zesty citrus, spice, delicate citrus blossoms and a hint of buttered toast. Different barrel types in various sizes and toasting levels are used and the wine matures for 10 months in barrel before it is blended and taken to bottle.
Platter: 96, IWC: 95 Gold, Tim Atkin: 93
ESTATE WHITE BLEND202328.25
Estate White is sourced and hand-selected from cooler, south-east-facing vineyards overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Elegant and refined with mineral overtones, and a flinty core dominated by notes of lemon, crushed rosemary and fresh apple. Blend of 56% Semillon and 44% Sauvignon Blanc. Various ages of barrels were utilised and the wines spent 10 months in oak.
IWC: 96 Double Gold and best SA White in show, Christian Eedes: 96, Decanter: 95, Tim Atkin: 94, Platter: 93
SAUVIGNON BLANC RESERVE *202217.55
The grapes come from the famous Schaapenberg Vineyard on the Schaapenberg Hill. This hill functioned as Governor Van der Stels look out for ships rounding Cape Point. The 2.5 hectare single vineyard was planted in 1988 and is located 6,5 km from False Bay, directly south-facing at 320 meters above sea level.
SAUVIGNON BLANC WILD WINDS202411.20
A pure, natural expression of Sauvignon Blanc with guava and honeydew melon notes on the nose. The palate is flinty with excellent acidity and stylish, long-lasting finish.
Tim Atkin: 92, IWR: 91
SEMILLON RESERVE *201716.50
Attractive light green colour. Nose shows delicate citrus, white flowers, honey and spice. The wine is finely focused, complex and well balanced with a crisp acidity. Excellent with mussel soup, salmon, grilled Yellowtail and chicken. Stunning with seared tuna and scallops. Eight months fermentation took place in 225 litre French oak barrels.
Tim Atkin: 94, Platter: 93
STRAW WINE *201510.60
Ripe, tropical fruit abounds. 100% Semillon grapes were either dried on the vines or on wooden pallets. The wine spent 15 months in old oak.
Tim Atkin: 93, Platter: 92
FLORENCE ROSE202410.90
Strawberry and raspberry notes with a delicate acidity and rose-gold hue. The perfect summer wine for al fresco lunches, braais and picnics. Blend of 65% Shiraz, 25% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre.
iWine Review: 91
CABERNET / MERLOT202012.30
Bright dark red. On the nose striking cassis underlined with cedar and a fresh ripe fruit character. On the palate the freshness carries through with a long-lasting aftertaste. The grapes were handpicked and spent 18 months in 20% new French oak barrels which adds to the complexity and finesse of this wine. The blend is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Drinking beautifully now it will improve even more in the bottle over the next 5-10 years.
Tim Atkin: 90, Platter: 89
GVB RED BLEND *201331.60
The 2013 is a beautiful and elegant wine with good concentration and lovely fruit. The tannins are ripe and the wine has a long aftertaste. Cabernet Sauvignon 55%; Merlot 35%; Cabernet Franc 5%; Petit Verdot 5%. Maturation in 40% new French oak barrels for 17 months.
Platter: 93
GVB RED BLEND *201735.40
The grapes for the GVB blend are sourced from the Rondekop Vineyards grown at 200 to 220 meters above sea level. These vineyards are extremely wind exposed and this leads to thick skinned berries that deliver very concentrated juice. The 2017 vintage yields a wine of great complexity and distinction. The nose has expressions of red fruits, hints of grilled fenneland wafts of tobacco and cigar box which fill the glass. The palate has great texture and finesse and this vintage is offering great drinkability already. After malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine went into 50% new French oak barrels for 18 months. Blend consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon 67%, Merlot 21% and 12% Cabernet Franc. Accessible now but will reward careful cellaring over the next 10 to 15 years.
Tim Atkin: 93, Platter: 93
ESTATE RED BLEND202132.30
This pioneering red blend reflects the micro-climate and terroir of Vergelegen. Sourced and hand-selected from warmer north- and north-west-facing vineyards, which produce succulent fruit and ripe tannins. Cassis, pencil shavings and spice dominate the nose and palate. Blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot. Matured for 18 months in 100% new oak.
Platter: 94
CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE201721.80
The grapes were selected from Vergelegens Rooiland and Stonepine vineyards. The wine spent 18 months in barrel; 40% new oak from coopers Taransaud, Darnajou and Sylvain. The wine is complex, showing blackcurrants, spice, ripe plums and attractive wood aromas and flavours. It is full and rich with prominent tannins that bode well for future ageing.
Tim Atkin: 93, Platter: 93
CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE202119.95
This wine was grown in deep red soils of ancient origin, showcasing the terroir of the property. Complex with blackcurrants, spice, ripe plums and notes of plush leather and oak. Promising excellent ageability, but equally delicious when youthful. Matured in oak 225l and 300l barrels (first, second and third fill) for 12 months. The 2021 vintage is particularly noteworthy, benefiting from ideal growing conditions and the collaborative efforts of outgoing winemaker Andre van Rensberg and new cellarmaster Luke O Cuinneagain. This partnership has resulted in a wine that balances traditional richness with a more fruit-forward and refined style, promising excellent aging potential over the next 10 to 15 years .
Tim Atkin: 93, Platter: 93
CABERNET SAUVIGNON FIRST THOUGHT *201528.80
First Thought Cabernet Sauvignon is from a modern, early ripening clone on north-westerly facing slopes. Matured for 18 months in French oak, 100% new, the nose shows red currant and plums, rose petal and the merest hint of fynbos. The palate is medium bodied with pure fruit, fresh acidity and a classically dry finish. Only 4 barrels made. Winemakers comment: Deep colour with aromas of black currant, cocoa powder, chicory and peppery herbs balanced with subtle sweetness and supported by firm ripe tannins.
Tim Atkin: 93, Platter: 92, Winemag.co.za:  92/100
CABERNET SAUVIGNON THE LAST WORD *201528.80
A classical Cabernet at its best bright ruby red, tight packed fruit and firm tannins. Initially its appears leaner and more restrained with tighter mouth feel that evolves into an explosion of flavours. The wine was matured in 100% new 225L French barrels for 18 months.
Tim Atkin: 94, Platter: 91
CABERNET SAUVIGNON V *201564.25
The nose is complex, showing blackcurrants, red cherries, cedar wood, lead pencil and cigar box aromas. These develop in the glass and are joined by raspberry, black cherry, spice and a hint of gaminess. On the palate the wine is concentrated but elegant, with fine-grained tannins. These tannins soften even further in the glass, resulting in a luxurious wine with a long aftertaste. The 2015 is a great vintage destined to live forever. The V was matured in 100% new French oak for 18 months. Blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon 80% with Cabernet Franc 10% and Merlot 10%.
Tim Atkin: 96, Gilbert & Gaillard: 96, Platter: 96, IWSC: Silver 91
CABERNET SAUVIGNON V *201766.50
The vineyard used for the production of the V is Stone Pine IV. This vineyard consists of two adjacent units on the west to northwest facing inland slopes of Schaapenberg. The V consists of a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc and matured in new French oak for 18 months. The nose is complex, showing blackcurrants, red cherries, cedar wood, lead pencil and cigar box aromas. These develop in the glass and are joined by raspberry, black cherry, spice and a hint of gaminess. On the palate the wine is concentrated but elegant, with fine-grained tannins. These tannins soften even further in the glass, resulting in a luxurious wine with a long aftertaste. Enjoy over the next 15 to 20 years.
Tim Atkin: 95, Platter: 94
CABERNET SAUVIGNON V201970.10
Richest and most powerful of the estate's reds. Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Tannins are dense but polished and in harmony with plush fruit and overall structure. Oaked for 18 months in 80% new oak.
Platter: 94, Tim Atkin:93
MERLOT RESERVE *201721.80
The grapes were all selected from the vineyards of Rooiland (oak leaf and hutton soils), Saddle, Nursery & Stonepine (granites). Maturation took place in 225L French oak barrels for 16 months before bottling. Ripe plum colour with a ruby rim. The nose shows ripe fruit flavours, black cherries, plum, spice and a touch of chocolate. The ripeness of the fruit is balanced by fresh fruit acidity with soft wood and fruit tannins. The aftertaste is long and lasting. Accessible now but will continue to improve over the next 20 years.
Platter: 92, Tim Atkin: 91
MERLOT RESERVE202119.95
Deep plum color with a ruby-red rim. Its bouquet offers aromas of dark, ripe cherries and plums, complemented by subtle spice notes and a hint of chocolate and subtle nutmeg notes. The palate is characterized by a harmonious balance of fresh acidity and ripe fruit flavors, leading to a long, lingering, velvety soft finish. Matured 17 months in French oak 225l barrels.
Tim Atkin: 93, Platter: 89
MERLOT RESERVE (Magnum 1,5l) *202143.35
Deep plum color with a ruby-red rim. Its bouquet offers aromas of dark, ripe cherries and plums, complemented by subtle spice notes and a hint of chocolate and subtle nutmeg notes. The palate is characterized by a harmonious balance of fresh acidity and ripe fruit flavors, leading to a long, lingering, velvety soft finish. Matured 17 months in French oak 225l barrels.
Tim Atkin: 93, Platter: 89
MERLOT  THE MISTAKE *201529.05
The wine shows ripe berry fruit, hints of cherry and spice with lovely fine tannins on the aftertaste. Merlot 90% & Cabernet Sauvignon 10%. The wine matured for 18 months in 50% new French 225L barrels.
Tim Atkin: 93, Platter: 91, Prescient: Top 10, Gilbert & Gaillard: 93
MILL RACE RED BLEND202211.20
An opulent red blend that delights with lashings of red berries and dark chocolate shavings. The texture is velvety with a plush finish. Blend of 41% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 12% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The wines matured in 15% new French oak of various sizes, for 12 months before being blended and bottled.
Platter: 89, Christian Eedes: 89
SHIRAZ RESERVE202019.10
Sourced from Vergelegen's Rooiland vineyard, known for its cooler climate, which contributes to the wine's elegance and structure. The Vergelegen Shiraz Reserve 2020 showcases a deep ruby color and offers a complex bouquet of aromas. On the nose, expect notes of ripe black cherry, complemented by hints of liquorice, violets, and a touch of spice. The palate is rich and full-bodied, with intense berry flavors and a subtle undercurrent of chocolate. Silky tannins lead to a long, clean finish, reflecting the wine's meticulous craftsmanship. 16 months in French oak barrels (30% new).