2004 Vergelegen Red

The 2004 Red Blend consists of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc and is aged entirely in new Sylvain oak barrels. The nose sports dark red-berried fruit with hints of licorice and sandalwood with fine delineation even if it would be enhanced by more vigour. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannins, well-integrated new oak and a long sweet finish of black cherries, tobacco and cedar. Still compact, this might benefit another couple of years in bottle. Drink 2013-2020. Vergelegen has one of the most dramatic backdrops of any winery that I have visited. Located in Somerset West, this vast estate has a long history dating back to the 17th century, but the winery itself is thoroughly modern, not dissimilar to Pichon-Baron with its octagonal design. The estate was acquired by “Anglo American” in 1987 and two years later, they planted the first vines. They received enormous publicity when Vergelegen hosted the first unbanned meetings of the ANC. Andre van Rensberg is responsible for both the vineyards, which range between 140m and 310m in altitude, and the winemaking, and he is one of the few winemakers to have combatted leaf-roll virus head-on so that their replanting program of virus-free vines look set to bear virus-free fruit. Their portfolio focuses upon classic French grape varieties, divided into their entry-level white label range and their premium, black label range wherein the fruit is sourced exclusively from their own vines. Importer: 57 Main Street Imports, Garden City, NY; tel. (516) 357-2070