As Cabernet Sauvignon sits as the king of our estate, we have taken an exploratory dive into the world of Bordeaux and drawn some inspiration from their iconic blends.
These blends have highlighted the interplay of tradition, terroir, and innovation, allowing us the opportunity to craft a South African interpretation of the revered Bordeaux blend.
From the complexity of the Library Collection wines – like the 2009 2BB and 3BB – to the fruit-driven character of Antigo, these wines are a testament to our dedication to crafting blends that reflect the unique Helderberg terroir.
A vineyard-first philosophy
Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme at Waterford Estate, comprising nearly 40% of our vineyard plantings. Each block is meticulously planted in soils and row orientations that optimise the grape’s potential.
One standout vineyard resides at our highest point, which defies convention by planting rows East-West rather than the traditional North-South. This layout takes full advantage of the Helderberg Mountain’s prevailing sea breeze. This natural cooling effect extends the grape’s hang time on the vine, allowing for greater complexity and balanced ripeness before harvest.
A legacy of blending excellence
Waterford Estate’s Bordeaux-style blends have been a light in the tunnel of discovery teaching us lessons of our Cabernet Sauvignon and the iconic Bordeaux blend.
- The 2009 2BB and 3BB are wines that offer a glimpse into the artistry and age-ability of our earlier blends, with finely integrated tannins and evolving layers of fruit, cedar, and earth. Both of these blends were 54% Cabernet Sauvignon but the differentiating factor was the percentage of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The 2BB was 33% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc while the 3BB was 33% Cabernet Franc and 13% Merlot. This experiment, while it may seem trivial, taught us the importance of understanding your blending varietals, which cultivars grown on our farm performed better at a higher percentage in our blends.
- The 2012 BB, a wine with a stronger stance in the traditions of the Bordeaux blend was our first attempt to blend this style with Petite Verdot. The inclusion of Petite Verdot was instantly felt, with a more serious inky colour and a tighter tannin structure, Petite Verdot made itself known.
- The 2014 BB saw the exclusion of Merlot from the blend. A bold choice but one taken to understand its involvement in creating cohesion and elegance. The wine showed earthy cigar box notes and an elegant dry finish that would see the age-ability of the wine grow in character for many years.
Antigo – A tribute to the Helderberg Triangle
The Waterford Antigo marks the culmination of decades of refinement in crafting Bordeaux-inspired blends. The name Antigo is derived from the Portuguese word for ‘ancient’ is in honour of the red clay soils in which the Cabernet component is grown and the ancient viticultural soils of Stellenbosch.
Its foundation of Cabernet Sauvignon, paired with Merlot and Petit Verdot, creates a plush yet structured profile with layers of fruit, oak spice, and a velvety finish.
Earning an incredible 4.5 stars in the 2025 Platter's Wine Guide, we are confident in the lessons learnt from the blends of the past that are echoed in the Waterford Antigo of today.
The role of soil in blending excellence
Our various blends are deeply connected to the diverse soils of our estate, each contributing distinct qualities to the wines:
- Red clay: The Cabernet Sauvignon for Antigo thrives in red clay soils, which retain moisture and nutrients. This environment fosters lush growth and produces a wine with plush, fruit-driven characteristics. The resulting smoother tannin structure makes Antigo approachable in its youth while maintaining the complexity and depth to evolve beautifully with age.
- Gravelly and rocky soils: These soils nurture other Cabernet Sauvignon blocks and enhance the structure and minerality that defines our classical Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pride in a unique expression
While influenced by Bordeaux traditions, our approach to winemaking has always been to celebrate the Helderberg’s unique terroir. Our unique interpretation embraces the distinct characteristics of Stellenbosch’s climate, soils, and microclimates, creating wines that stand apart on the global stage.
For more information or to secure your bottles of Antigo, please contact chris@waterfordestate.co.za. Follow us on social media for the latest updates and exclusive announcements.