Vergenoegd Löw’s Singular Stellenbosch Cabernet

“Our proximity to the sea is what lends such freshness and elegance to our layered Cabernet Sauvignon,” says Vusi Dalicuba, Vergenoegd Löw’s young and energetic winemaker.

Ranked runner-up at the inaugural 2024 Next Generation Awards, sponsored by FedEx Express and convened by Winemag.co.za, he earned a score of 95 points for his 2022 Vergenoegd Löw Lara Cabernet Sauvignon.

It also won gold at the recent Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Competition. The 2022 vintage was his first on the estate.

The low-lying historic luxury Stellenbosch estate, less than 5kms from the False Bay coastline, is situated along Stellenbosch’s Helderberg Wine Route. It is just 12m above sea level.

“The winds off the Atlantic create a cooler environment than in the Stellenbosch area in general, sometimes by as much as 3°C.”, Dalicuba explains. “That’s a major benefit. Also, unusually for Stellenbosch, our soils are rich in lime, thanks to our low-lying, ancient seabed location, dense with sea fossils and minerals.

“In our experience, vines grown in these calcareous soils make for graceful, harmonious wines of good acidity – qualities you can immediately pick up in our wines”.

He is also quick to point out that the estate’s regenerative farming practices don’t hurt either. Followed to promote biodiversity, they also enrich the soil and make for healthy, well-balanced and climate-resilient vines.

That is why at Vergenoegd Löw, the winemaking recipe, he says, is to “follow the grapes”. In this land above hand approach, the grapes themselves dictate how the berries should be vinified.

The low-lying historic Stellenbosch estate is less than 5kms from the False Bay coastline.

Of the 2022 vintage aged in a combination of new and older oak for 18 months, he says: “It shows intense concentration of black and red fruit flavours with traces of herbal notes and dark chocolate.” He describes the tannins as “chalky” and speaks of a slight salinity on the palate that he attributes to the influence of the sea. “This is definitely a wine with the structure to age.”

Dalicuba highlights the wine’s food-friendliness and recommends serving it with hearty meals, from grilled steaks and lamb chops, to casseroles, roasts, deeply flavoured vegetarian dishes and strong, mature cheeses.

His success with the grape is reprising the estate’s reputation for outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon established by the Faure family, the previous owners, who held the property for almost 200 years. It was the fifth generation’s Jac and Brand Faure, who planted Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in 1972 and went on to win the General Smuts Trophy many times over the next few years. During the 1980s, Platter’s South African Wine Guide lauded the winery for its expression of the grape, calling it “one of the best reds in the country”.

The Faure family sold the historic farm to German heritage specialist and investor Prof Dr Dr Peter Löw in 2015. Since then a major vineyard replanting has been underway.

Vusi Dalicuba, Vergenoegd Löw’s young and energetic winemaker.

“Our vineyards have been mapped according to soil type with each grape variety matched to its optimal soil,” Dalicuba says.

There are currently just over 51 ha under vineyard. Red varieties account for 75% of the plantings with Cabernet Sauvignon in the lead.

He suggests purchasing a bottle via the estate’s online shop. “Whatever you choose as your dish, go for full-bodied, robust flavours, whether it’s your next braai, a fancy fillet dinner or Sunday roast.

“Or visit us for a personal tasting presented by our resident award-winning sommelier George Young, or come for a meal at one of our two restaurants.”

The wine, along with the entire Vergenoegd Löw collection is served at both Geuwels, a casual eatery and the fine dining Clara’s Barn. Both restaurants, that reinterpret traditional Cape dishes, are the domain of chef Bertus Basson and his colleague, Drikus Brink.

To sample the wine on the estate, look out for Young, recently announced South Africa’s Best Young Sommelier of 2024. He heads up wine service in the 1773 Homestead Wine Lounge with his team of accomplished wine ambassadors.

Sit back and relax in a luxurious, serene environment and discover finely crafted wines that speaks of place.

As Dalicuba urges: “Sit back and relax in a luxurious, serene environment and discover finely crafted wines that speaks of place. If you’re up for a sensory experience, try the special Indigenous Tasting, where you also get to sample local flavours like bokkoms, biltong, dune spinach and roosterkoek. Or enjoy a generous platter with artisanal cured meats and cheeses, fresh fruit and more. “

Visit https://vergenoegd.co.za/ for more information, https://vergenoegd.co.za/bookings/ to make a reservation, and https://vergenoegd.co.za/collection/all/ to peruse the selection and buy wines.

Also see:

Revive Mind, Body & Soul at Vergenoegd Löw in Stellenbosch

Issued by: AUGUST COLLECTIVE

Pictures: SUPPLIED