It’s easy to get swept up and carried away at an auction like a acorn on the Eerste River. So in my tiny organ with national reach, this week I focus on auctionable reds without the ego price tag. I’ll see you all at the CWG Auction at the end of the month as I’ve been commissioned to do a Sanlam Private Wealth podCast with Lloyd Jusa of Saxon Hotel fame and Eat Out Sommelier of the Year.
Webersburg Red Blend 2013
How much and where? R165; www.webersburg.co.za
Why? The best deal at last week’s Nederburg Auction was the R80000 someone shelled out for a bottle of Pétrus 1988- which is three times what Groot Constantia paid for a bottle of 1821 Grand Constance. However, it is certainly not necessary to pay gravy-train prices, nor even drive to Paarl, to find a decent merlot-dominated Bordeaux-style red.
Webersburg is the jewel of the Helderberg and this 2013 blend of merlot, petit verdot and cabernet sauvignon is a case in point. The year 2015 was a comet vintage in Bordeaux, and merlot in particular excelled. Which means plutocrats will be looking at Right Bank brands when those wines are released. In the meantime, take a look at this local lovely.
While Stellenbosch fancies itself as the Kingdom of Cabernet, for my money Wellington and Paarl make better cabernets as they’re a tad warmer. The hallmark flavour of Stellenbosch cabs is savoury tomato paste. Which is great on pasta but less so in a glass.
This blend is merlot-dominated which translates to opulent red berry fruits with a dash of dark chocolate. The petit verdot tightens up the mix and provides structure (grip) while the cab adds a regal character. It’s the Bacchanalian analogue of those large ears and bald pates of the British royals.
An outstanding red at a ridiculously low price.
Rating: *****
***** Richard the Lionheart
**** Queen Victoria
*** Queen Elizabeth I
** Prince Harry
* William the Conqueror
