Cape Heritage and The Loire

Timed Online Auction, 1 - 12 August 2024

Cape Heritage - Red Wines
About the Session

The Cape Heritage Red Wine Session features 25 lots from The Tabernacle – the famous underground cellar in Stellenbosch that houses some of South Africa’s most spectacular vinous historical treasures. All the lots from The Tabernacle have been recorked; each bottle was opened for inspection, under the protection of an argon gas blanket, and Strauss & Co fine wine specialist Higgo Jacobs along with Amorim tasted and assessed each wine. The wines were topped up with wine from the same vintage, recorked and resealed, all under the supervision of a technical team from Amorim Corks.


Sold for

ZAR 11 139
Lot 120
  • Nederburg; Auction Cabernet Sauvignon; 1974; 1 (1 x 1); 750ml


Lot Estimate
ZAR 6 000 - 12 000
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 11 139

About this Item

1974 Auction Cabernet Sauvignon
1 (1 x 1) 750ml

Nederburg is considered by many to be South Africa’s most decorated name in wine and their achievements and accolades can match up to any other estate in the nation. Established in 1791 by Philippus Wolvaart and his wife, Margaretha, they laid the foundations for future success on a farm situated between the Berg and Palmiet rivers. Amongst their many accolades, highlights include Platter’s guide awarding them winery of the year in 2011 and 2017 and placing 36th in the ‘most admired wine brand in the world’ by the esteemed Drinks International in 2017.

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 EF-274495 can be traced on Amorim Recorking Directory

This wine has been hailed as one of the finest Cabernet Sauvignons produced in the latter part of the 20th century. It was only sold at the Nederburg Auction over a period of 25 years, and the first batch was first sold when it was 8 years old in 1982.

In the 1970s regulations for South African wine were lax, and many wines that were labelled as Cabernet Sauvignon also included a generous, sometimes even dominant proportion of Cinsault. The variety Cinsault was widely planted and high-yielding, helping estates to stretch their so-called Cabernets. However, winemaker Brözel often insisted that this wine was indeed 100% Cabernet. It was fermented to full dryness.

Provenance

The Tabernacle - Stellenbosch

Critics Ratings

'Deep red colour with a very slight brown edge. Wow! What an array of flavours on the nose: Luscious Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, fresh and with an extremely attractive floralness – so beautiful. Then follows spice and “wall flower’ – an expression that Auctioneer Patrick Grubb MW often used to describe Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignons in his career of 33 years at the auction. Patrick died recently at the age of ninety-one. The wine is just so amazing on the palate: here one finds the red fruit flavours combined with Christmas fruit cake from the Cabernet Sauvignon showing with an astonishing freshness and youthfulness in the wine. No sign of oxidation. The fruit is backed up by the harmonious integration of the oak and complemented by the sweetness of the rich fruit. Overall, a trademark of Nederburg reds over the years. There is a great balance between the fruit and tannins. The elegant tannin structure adds a great dimension to the wine that is in perfect harmony. This rich and elegant wine is supported by good acidity and ends smooth and creamy on the palate and is ready to last another decade or more. A brilliant wine from an outstanding vintage.' - Bennie Howard CWM (Mar 2024)

'Full-on concentration, includes sweet red bell pepper, rhubarb, sundried tomato and mint chocolate. The palate is sweet and perfumed, almost heady, with remarkable intensity. This is a more modern expression for the time, but unquestionable structure when considering the consistency among all the bottles put up for re-corking.' - Higgo Jacobs (2024)

‘Macerated strawberries, floor polish, tea leaf, dried herbs and spice on the nose before a palate that is dense and smooth textured. Sweet and sumptuous with mellow tannins, this makes a big impact.’ - Christian Eedes, 94/100 (Apr 2022)

Notes

Please take note of the condition of the label - as per image.

View all Nederburg lots for sale in this auction