The Wine:

A ripe, full and delectable South African red blend from one of the country’s top estates. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the two principal grape varieties that go into Claret and in South Africa Bordeaux Blends, such as these, are one of their specialities. This may be one of their entry-level wines, but a great deal of care and attention has been taken here. After 18 months in barrel the wine was bottled prior to release in 2017. It has aromas of blackcurrant and redcurrant, coffee, tobacco, mocha and a touch of sensual oak. It’s a pliant, mid-weight wine with a layered richness and a firm spine of harmonious acidity to its intense berry and spice flavours.

Further Info:

Vergelegen is one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa with a history dating back as far as the early 1700s. They’ve always been an important landmark but the modern era for them really began in the late 1980s following its acquisition by the global mining group Anglo American. They invested millions in surveying the land and extensive planting of new vineyards in the best sites and in 1992 they opened a truly impressive part sunken four level winery which, using gravity, minimises the use of machinery. Currently headed up by Luke O’Cuinneagain who took over the reins from legendary André van Rensburg in 2022 Vergelegen is an instance where the financial strength of a large conglomerate and the skill of excellent winemakers has had yielded wonderful results.