Cape Heritage, Sweets, Fortifieds and Spirits
Timed Online Auction, 7 - 14 August 2023
Cape Heritage
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
Believed to be South Africa’s oldest red blend, Chateau Libertas was established by Dr William Charles Winshaw in 1932 to introduce a lightly wooded dry red blend. It has been produced every year since. A unique blend of Cinsaut, Cabernet Sauvignon and later Pinotage, vintages such as 1940, 57 and 61 are remarkably composed and revered today, especially in 750ml bottle.
The wine believed to be South Africa's oldest red blend celebrates its 91st birthday this year. Chateau Libertas was launched in 1932, by an American medical doctor, adventurer and former Texas Ranger, who had gone into winemaking when he moved to Stellenbosch. Not a year has gone by since in which the wine has not been made.
This wine has been checked and re-corked by Amorim cork under supervision of auction curator Higgo Jacobs, assuring provenance, quality and long life. Seal code cq-577524 can be traced on Amorim Recorking Directory
Provenance
The Distell Tabernacle - Stellenbosch
Critics Ratings
'Darker colour, with coffee and brie cheese. Vibrant and textured with fine red berries, earthy notes and plummy, slightly toffee finish. Very long and opening up in the glass to layers of complexity. Very intact for an 86-year-old wine. Very close to the best vintage (1957) I have tasted. No notes are available on these, but likely a good component Cinsaut.' - Roland Peens, 97/100 (Mar 2023)
'Very typically South African Cinsaut! Light and pure, fragrant sweet fruit with a touch of rum and raisen. Textured and vinous with soft tannins. Opening up to a very fragrant and composed wine. Wow!' - 97/100 Roland Peens (Mar 2023)