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 7 622
Lot 141
  • Zonnebloem; Cabernet; 1964; 2 (1 x 2); 375ml


Lot Estimate
ZAR 7 000 - 12 000
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 7 622

About this Item

1964 Cabernet
2 (1 x 2) 375ml

A staple of the SA wine scene, Zonnebloem was first established in 1692 in Simondium near Paarl before Distell took over in 1963. Zonnebloem, meaning sunflower, uitilise benchmark varietal features, sensible use of wood where relevant resulting in wines that are often unflashy yet simply spectacular.

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 codes JT-725056, Rb-252566 can be traced on Amorim Recorking Directory

In the 50’s and 60’s it was normal practice to use just Cabernet without the Sauvignon part, until the WO legislation was implemented in 1973 that enforced the full description.

Provenance

The Tabernacle - Stellenbosch

Critics Ratings

'An exceptional deep red colour for such a mature wine – with only the slightest of browning. What a powerful nose! It is dominated by intense cassis flavour from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Behind the cassis lies an astonishing freshness, fragrance and floralness, supported by spice, sweetness from the variety and a nuttiness. The wine sets off on the palate with the power of the fruit, the big but soft tannins and balanced acidity that completes the circle of flavours. It is complemented by the years of maturation in the bottle. The power of the wine lies in the grapes that came from bush vines and a small crop. It is a majestic wine – big, bold, rich, delicious, lingering and beautiful. A real gem – one of the finest old SA Cabernets I have tasted.' - Bennie Howard CWM (Mar 2024)

‘Pretty aromatics including red berries, some leafiness, potpourri and dried herbs. Light-bodied with fresh acidity and quite brittle tannins. A delicate wine that’s ready for drinking.’ - Christian Eedes, 92/100 (Apr 2022)

‘Pretty aromatics include raw steel, roast plum and cranberry. Very much alive and bright even, with lifted acidity. Just not the class and fine structure of the 1963. Still in very good shape.’ - Higgo Jacobs (Apr 2022)

Notes

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

View all Zonnebloem lots for sale in this auction