Vergelegen Premium Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot and red wine 75cl

Product Information

Vergelegen is an iconic estate covering over 3,000 hectares, of which 148 hectares are vineyards ranging in altitude from 140m to 310m above sea level. All wines are made with grapes from the estate vineyards Vergelgen estate and its wines have earned more than 200 awards, including winning the coveted Chateau Pichon Longueville Trophy twice for the Best Bordeaux Blend at the International Wine & Spirits Competition

The grapes are de-stemmed but not crushed and the grapes/must cold soaked for 7 days followed by a feral fermentation lasting 96 hours. Eventually, cultured yeast is added and the juice fermented dry. The young red wine is now macerated on the skins for a further 32 days before going to barrel. The wine was bottled on 17 December 2019 after 18 months of barrel maturation – 20% new French oak. COMPOSITION Vergelegen is one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa – established in 1700 by Adrian van set Stel, Governor of the Dutch colony. Situated in Somerset West at the slopes of the Hottentots Holland mountain range, ‘Vergelegen’ translates as ‘situated far away’ – historically a two-day wagon ride from Cape Town. Vergelegen is an iconic estate covering over 3,000 hectares, of which 148 hectares are vineyards ranging in altitude from 140m to 310m above sea level. All wines are made with grapes from the estate vineyards. Sourced from north and north-westerly vineyards at Vergelegen, Somerset West, where soil types of granite, Hutton and weathered shale dominate. The 2019 harvest itself was warm, however, the nights were cool which is perfect for colour and flavour formation. A unique feature about this vineyard is that it is in the shape of an octagon. Close to 21 different soil types are found here. Close to 258 hectares under the vine are currently found here. The varietals that grow here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon. New vines were first planted here in 1989. The vine density that is followed here is from 2666 to 5000 vines per hectare on the Clovelly, Glenrosa and Pinedine soils here.Sourced from north and north-westerly vineyards at Vergelegen, Somerset West, where soil types of granite, Hutton and weathered shale dominate. The 2017/2018 growing season was long and mild, leading to perfect physiological ripeness. The 2018 harvest itself was warm and dry BUT the nights were cool which is perfect for colour and flavour formation. Harvesting of the Merlot started in the first week of March, followed by Cabernet Franc and by mid-March we had the Malbec in the fermentation tanks. The harvest was completed on 6 April with the last Cabernet.

Vergelegen, meaning 'situated far away', was granted to the Governor of the Cape Willem van der Stel in 1700, making it an older estate even than many in the ‘old’ world. Lost in the suburbs of Somerset West, this large estate is also one of the Cape’s most beautiful, with sensitively restored Cape Dutch buildings (housing excellent restaurants and tasting room) set in stunning gardens contrasting with the starkly modern hilltop winery. The estate also has the largest private nature reserve dedicated to local flora and fauna, thanks to their dedication to conservation on the farm. Harvesting of the Merlot started end of February and was completed by 18th March. The harvest was completed by the end of March.

The vineyards are 100% virus free, planted mostly, according to André, to the 'two great Bordeaux varietals cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc'. Around 60% of the surface is planted to cabernet sauvignon (though only c. 30% of the wine in bottle), followed by sauvignon blanc, merlot, cabernet franc, semillon, shiraz, chardonnay, petit verdot, malbec. The soils are 400-600 million years old here, decomposed granite, so not very fertile. Vergelegen is one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa – established in 1700 by Adrian van set Stel, Governor of the Dutch colony. Situated in Somerset West at the slopes of the Hottentots Holland mountain range, ‘Vergelegen’ translates as ‘situated far away’ – historically a two-day wagon ride from Cape Town grapes/must cold soaked for 7 days followed by a feral fermentation lasting 96 hours. Eventually, cultured yeast is added, and the juice fermented dry. The young red wine is now macerated on the skins for a further 32 days before going to barrel. The wine was bottled after 18 months of barrel maturation in 20% new French oak. COMPOSITION