Top image: Craig Mockford of Prescient; Samuel Viljoen of Nederburg; Christian Eedes of Winemag.co.za 

Nederburg The Manor House Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 achieved an incredible score of 95 points in the seventh edition of the annual Cabernet Sauvignon Report, compiled and published by Winemag.co.za, and sponsored by financial services company Prescient.

It’s the only wine that scored 95 points, the highest rating awarded by the judges of the 2018 issue of the report. Chaired by Winemag.co.za editor Christian Eedes, this year’s judging panel also included Roland Peens of Wine Cellar, and Hennie Coetzee, a taster for Platter’s South African Wine Guide.

The 2014 vintage of Nederburg Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 received 90 points. This wine was selected as the prestigious ‘Red Wine of the Year’ in the 2018 edition of Platter’s, achieving a five star rating.

A total of 79 wine producers submitted 89 entries for review in the 2018 Prescient Cabernet Report. These were tasted blind by the three-person panel, with scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale. Of the 40 wines to score 90 points or more, 25 were from the 2015 vintage.

The reports highlights 2015 as “one of the great vintages of the modern era and based on this tasting, the hype is completely justified”.

In describing why the results of this year’s report are so exciting, Eedes states: “The 2015 growing season was one of the driest and earliest in some time and it would appear that this has done Cabernet Sauvignon plenty of favours. Bud break was early and even, cooler temperatures than usual in February were ideal for ripening, while the dry conditions also contributed to a very healthy crop with almost no losses to disease or rot. The result is wines of particular power. The best show ripeness of fruit and tannin without sacrificing complexity and finesse. Again and again, the panel was impressed by the palate density on display but what was remarkable was the detail and refreshment value still in evidence, elements that often get lost in lesser vintages.”

Nederburg The Manor House Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 was praised by the judges for its “palate that shows great fruit density without sacrificing freshness, while the tannins are particularly fine”. They also referred to the wine as “very well put together” with “red and black fruit, some floral perfume, fresh herbs and attractive oak on the nose”.

“Only 90 000 bottles of this wine was made with Cabernet Sauvignon fruit sourced from vineyards in Paarl and Groenekloof near Darling. The wine was matured for 18 months in a combination of new, second- and third-fill barrels, 93% French and 7% American oak,” says Andrea Freeborough, Nederburg cellar-master since 2015.

“It is very affirming to be ranked amongst the game-changers who are shaping the positive reputation of South African wine, also confirmed by Nederburg’s inclusion for the third time in a row in 2018 in the esteemed ‘World’s Most Admired Wine Brands’ top 50 list by Drinks International.

“This is further testimony to the quality of Nederburg Cabernets, even those considered young, as an expression of the same pedigree of finesse, harmony and potential to endure for many decades more.

“We are as proud of this achievement as we were late last year when our Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 won the coveted Warren Winiarski Trophy for the best Cabernet Sauvignon at the 2017 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). And the year before that when Nederburg’s Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon, also from the 2013 vintage, was awarded the Arcadia Trophy for the top Cabernet Sauvignon at the 2016 IWSC.

“At Nederburg we create Cabernet Sauvignons in a timeless style to pay tribute to our long-established history while at the same time reflecting access to new research and technology in the vineyards and the cellars. Achieving the highest score in this year’s Cabernet Sauvignon Report by Winemag.co.za is fantastically motivating for the entire team!”

Nederburg’s The Manor House collection comprises single varietal wines made from some of the Paarl winery’s best-of-best fruit. The range, that also includes a Sauvignon blanc and Shiraz, is inspired by the beautifully proportioned Cape Dutch manor house built in 1800 by Nederburg’s founder, Philippus Wolvaart.

Nederburg The Manor House Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 retails for around R160 a bottle, and Nederburg Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 for approximately R375 a bottle. Both are available from the farm in Paarl, or online at www.vinoteque.co.za.