Flagship Red, Vergelegen, 2004

VERGELEGEN – André Van Rensburg

Vergelegen, meaning “situated far away”, was granted to the Governor of the Cape in 1700 and the property has had a long and fascinating history since that time. Vergelegen is one of the Cape’s outstanding wineries; this inspiring property has the reputation for being South Africa’s ‘icon’ wine estate. In 1987 Anglo American plc, one of the world’s largest global mining groups and the largest shareholder in De Beers purchased Vergelegen. The intention was to restore the historical buildings and to develop a world class wine estate. Among the many projects undertaken was an extensive programme of the total re-establishment of the vineyards and the building of an impressive multi-levelled, sunken hilltop winery, which was opened by Baron Eric de Rothschild of Château Lafite-Rothschild in 1992. The first vintage produced at Vergelegen was in 1992. Vergelegen was the first winery in South Africa to champion the Biodiversity in Wine Initiative to make South Africa’s vineyards eco-friendly. Vergelegen’s goal is to return at least 1000 hectares of the estate to the Cape’s natural environment by eradicating alien vegetation.

The wine shows a rich ruby colour with an almost opaque centre. Cassis, pencil lead, spice and red berries abound on the nose. The delicate fruit, tannin structure and fine acidity indicate a wine of balance and finesse reflective of the Vergelegen terroir.