It is these iconic wines that have been selected blind by an international panel of global wine experts and Masters of Wine (MW) for the 2018 Nederburg Auction collection. These rare and extremely valuable wines are being made available for a Wine Preview tasting in both Cape Town (31 July) and Johannesburg (2 August).
The 2018 collection includes 108 wines from 64 producers including debut participants Bartinney, Beau Constantia, Le Lude and Sijnn. The wines on auction this year are fewer, even more rare than before and there’s something for every palate. What makes this collection so exciting is that no two years are the same. There are some seriously old wines with remarkable stories, new wines from very old vines and wines rated amongst the best in world.
For anyone interested in the heritage of South Africa’s fine wines, there is no other event like this where guests have an opportunity to taste all but the rarest wines on Auction. Approximately 100 wines showcasing the very best of what South Africa’s renowned producers have achieved will be available for tasting.
To ensure wines are even more rare and exclusive to the Nederburg Auction, the entry criteria was changed this year. All red wines entered have to be six years and older, same for port and sweet wines. White wines and MCC were changed from 2 years to 3 years and older to be eligible for selection. All wines on Auction should not have been available in the trade for at least a year prior to Auction.
Richard Kershaw MW, one of the Selection Tasting judges said: “I think what we are looking for is wines that have age and have the ability to age further, that’s a credible part of the auction. I think that definitely forces a producer to consider very carefully what they are going to enter.”
Selection Panel Chair Cathy van Zyl MW said: “One of the trends I’ve picked up in tasting red wines this year at the Nederburg Auction is that our winemakers are seeking a greater freshness or vivacity to the red wines. There’s also a trend towards being more savoury. I do appreciate that in the context, old South African wines, some of them can age beautifully to this red-fruit fudgy, richness, which we all really love. They endear themselves to us so often.”
International wine critic and Selection Panel Chair Tim Atkin MW said: “I was surprised by the Sauvignon Blancs and how well they’ve aged. That was almost my stand-out flight. They were lovely, well-balanced and the use of oak, when it was there, was very well done. I think they are below the radar and South Africans and auction buyers don’t tend to think of Sauvignon as something that will age very well or is worth buying but I would urge them that they should.”
The oldest wine on Auction this year is a 1948 Monis Collector’s Port from the Distell Tabernacle. Other notable entries from debut participants include Nic and Gerda Barrow's three MCCs from their specialised MCC-only Le Lude farm in Franschhoek. They are also the pioneer of an Agrafe Cap Classique, with their Vintage Brut Agrafe 2012 on auction along with their Vintage Brut 2012 and Vintage Cuvee (1.5L) 2012. Guests attending the Wine Previews will also receive a glass of the Le Lude MCC on arrival.
Owners Rose and Michael Jordaan of Bartinney, Stellenbosch also make their first appearance at the Nederburg Auction with mixed cases of their extremely rare maiden vintage Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 and Chardonnay 2008. Pierre and Cecily du Preez of Beau Constantia have their award-winning Lucca 2011, a Bordeaux Red Blend on offer, which is grown on some of the steepest agricultural slopes in the Cape in the Constantia Valley.
Sijnn co-owners David and Rita Trafford pioneered the Malgas ward and have received wide acclaim for their unique wines since their release. Sijnn has one of only two Touriga Nacionals on offer with their 2012 vintage from one of the most southern vineyards in Africa on Auction.
If you are serious about wine and would like to bid and network with like-minded people, please apply for a ticket through our website at www.nederburgauction.co.za/about-the-auction/wine-previews/. Tickets are limited for each event with serious buyers given priority tickets.
The Wine Previews are a pre-cursor to the annual Nederburg Auction, which takes place over two days in September each year. The Nederburg Auction is a perfect opportunity for guests from around the world to catch up with old friends and meet like-minded wine enthusiasts in a fun-filled yet relaxed environment. Those fortunate enough to obtain a ticket to this exclusive event in September are treated to some of the finest foods and beverages, also synonymous with the Cape Winelands. Top celebrity chefs and baristas are on hand to treat guests to the unique evolution of their culinary and coffee creations, accompanied by live entertainment and world-class wines.
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