For avid collectors and devotees of exceptional South African wines, this year’s Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction is much more than one of the country’s most prestigious events on the Cape Winelands calendar. It is a showcase of South Africa’s finest and rarest wines sourced from the country’s most coveted producers. Simply put, few things merge prestige and excellence as eloquently as the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction.
To be held on 22 May 2020 in a brand-new hybrid format and in partnership with international auction house Christie’s, the auction will allow bidders the option to either bid in person at Stellenbosch’s Rupert Museum, or raise their paddles virtually via a live online experience.
Says Stellenbosch Visio editor Francé Beyers: “Excitement is building for the much-anticipated Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction. This year’s line-up features a marvellous selection of treasured South African wines, including icons such as Nederburg. Make sure to register as a bidder and private buyer for this not-to-be-missed opportunity to acquire truly special South African wines.”
In the first of our two-part exclusive, Francé unveils three of her favourite lots going under the hammer this year:
Nederburg Wines Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Nederburg, situated in the Cape Winelands’ Paarl region, is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s most awarded wineries. Its prize-winning pedigree stems from a culture of innovation and disciplined attention to detail, producing refreshing and richly fruited wines with bold flavours and structure. Nederburg’s hallmark combination of contemporary, vibrant flavour and classical structure blends the best of both New and Old World wines.
Tasting notes: Aromas of blackcurrants, cherries, dark chocolate and mocha. An abundance of prune, blackcurrant and cherry aromas supported by pleasant wood spices.
Reserve price: R4,500 per case
Number of cases: 6
Case size: 6 x 750ml
Lot no: 205, 206, 207
Wine: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Origin: Paarl
Winemaker: Razvan Macici
Accolades: Veritas Awards 2008, 2009 and 2010 – Silver Medal
Good to know: Nederburg’s selection for the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction is sourced from the farm’s vinoteque and includes the exceptionally scarce Private Bin Edelkeur 1999 and Private Bin Eminence 1999. Also on offer, is the Private Bin R104 Petit Verdot 2010, Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 and 2006, Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 1985, Private Bin R103 Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 1975, Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 1980 and Private Bin R103 Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 1980.
Grand Constance 1821
An exceptionally rare bottle of Grand Constance 1821 – once destined to be part of the exclusive collection of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and one of perhaps only twelve remaining in the world – will be auctioned at this year’s event. This opportunity comes exactly two centuries since the slowly ripened and raisined grapes for the vintage were harvested in the vineyards of Groot Constantia, and in the period between then and now, this investment wine has gained a royal pedigree and noble provenance.
“The opportunity to present what is arguably one of the most precious, scarce and coveted wines in the world at the upcoming Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction, is an incredible moment in our recent past. A treasure of this calibre presents itself perhaps once in a lifetime, and anyone lucky enough to secure this wine at auction, will be rewarded with an unbelievably valuable piece of wine history,” says Niel Groenewald, managing director of Nederburg and head of the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction.
Guide price: R80,000-R130,000 per case
Number of cases: 1
Case size: 1 x 375ml
Lot no: 190
Tasting notes: Deep but still luminescent amber. Extraordinarily perfumed in a subtle and unflamboyant way: notes of orange rind, molasses, allspice and glacé fruits. Brooding and rich. Multiple layers, each yielding surprising detail and nuance. Remarkably fresh, this medley of aromatic energy stays forever in the glass – a haunting reminder of an era lost in the mists of time.
Cabernet Collective 2
South Africa has a long history with Cabernet Sauvignon. Stellenbosch in particular has been producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon for generations, earning a place on the international wine stage. Moreover, Cabernet is seen as a solid investment. It is associated with Bordeaux on the one hand and Napa Valley on the other. Though not necessarily cheap, the locally produced wines are typically offered at a fraction of the price of other comparable international bottlings.
A unique selection courtesy of Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective includes:
Delaire Graff Laurence Graff Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Origin: Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Morné Vrey
Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Origin: Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Roelof Lotriet
Jordan Wine Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Origin: Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Sjaak Nelson
Kanonkop Wine Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Origin: Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Abrie Beeslaar
Kleine Zalze Wines Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Origin: Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Alastair Rimmer
Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Origin: Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Christo le Riche
Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Origin: Jonkershoek Valley
Winemaker: Warren Ellis
Oldenburg Barrel Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Origin: Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Coenie Snyman
Rust en Vrede Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Origin: Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Coenie Snyman
Simonsberg The Garland Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Origin: Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Michael Malan, Johan Malan
Thelema Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Origin: Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Rudi Schultz
Waterford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Origin: Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Mark le Roux
Reserve price: R12,000 per case
Number of cases: 2
Case size: 12 x 750ml
Lot no: 367, 368
About the auction
The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction was established in 1975 as the Nederburg Auction and has grown to be recognised as one of the leading wine auctions globally. In 2019, the reinvented Nederburg Auction emerged as the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction, an industry-led platform to showcase the finest and rarest South African wines, providing exclusive buying opportunities for wine enthusiasts, investors and collectors worldwide.
Don’t miss the second instalment of Francé’s Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction picks in our next newsletter on 14 May 2021.
ALSO READ: ‘Experience the thrum and theatre of SA’s best wines’