2008 Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is blended with 3% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and sees 20 months in 60% new French oak. It has a pleasant bouquet of red fruit, bacon fat, dried blood and a touch of espresso. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly bitter entry, balsamic infused dark red fruit and a piquant finish that has adequate freshness. Fine. Drink now-2015. I remember visiting Vergelegen in one of the most beautiful parts of the world in Somerset West and meeting winemaker Andre van Rensberg. The wines showed well, although I could not help feeling that they were rather conservative. They did not inspire the superlatives commensurate with the estate’s reputation. And I have to say, this was the first time tasting through Vergelegen’s wines that they fell below my expectations. Several cuvees did not make the grade for this report, which they had done in the past. To be honest, they came across as a little old-fashioned when compared to the more exciting wines coming out of South Africa in 2013. I just wanted more pizzazz, something where I could not compose the tasting note before I had actually tasted the wine because I knew what was coming. Even the flagship and not inexpensive “V” just came across as rather labored, especially when juxtaposed against its peers and even against their own very fine Merlot ‘10. Perhaps this is due to working with young vines since swathes of the vineyard were uprooted to combat widespread leaf-roll virus? That was an expensive pill to swallow, but one that attested their determination to produce quality wines. I have little doubt that this will be realized in subsequent vintages because Andre is a talented winemaker, but the truth is that on this occasion, the quality I was expecting was not in evidence here. Importer: Metrowine Distribution Co. Inc. 20 Acosta Street, Suite300, Stamford, CT 06902. Tel 203 969 3000