THE WORDS ‘Private Bin’ on a bottle of Nederburg no longer mean that the wine was sold exclusively on auction. However, they do still indicate that the winemakers have made a special effort, gone the extra mile – and they now also appear on the Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon, beginning with the 2017 vintage. That said, the range of Private Bins representing the ‘pinnacle’ of what Nederburg produces has been cut back to just three wines, i.e. also including the R163 Cab, positioned at a slight premium relative to the Two Centuries, and Edelkeur Noble Late Harvest, of which, hopefully, the next vintage will be 2022. There might never be another Eminence dessert wine from this Paarl estate, and discontinued are the Private Bins D234 Sauvignon Blanc, R121 Shiraz, R181 Merlot as well as other highly regarded auction reserves of which there were once 35 in total.

Without missing a beat, as it were, the 2017 Two Centuries Cab has impressed top tasting panels locally and internationally, upholding the reputation established by preceding vintages:

• 95/100 at International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK)
• Gold Medal at Global Cabernet Sauvignon Masters (UK)
• 5 Stars in Platter’s South African Wine Guide
• Top 10 and Hall of Fame, SA Wine Classification

• For door-to-door delivery of award-winners in all major centres of South Africa, click here to order from specialist wine shop Norman Goodfellows.

NEDERBURG PRIVATE BIN TWO CENTURIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017
WO Coastal Region: grapes sourced from Groenekloof-Darling (dryland farming) and from Simondium-Paarl. Hand-sorting, gentle pressing. Cold maceration for two days, then inoculated and fermented at 24° to 27°C. Malolactic fermentation in barrels. Matured in new French oak for 31 months. Just 3300 bottles.
Alc 14.8 | RS 1.8 | TA 6.1 | pH 3.7
IWSC Tasting Notes: Flavours that evolve from blackberry through hints of vanilla and coffee to liquorice and eucalyptus. The palate shows concentrated fruit with a degree of smokiness and really smooth, fine tannins. Its complexity, elegance and freshness are evident on the finish.
Producers’ Tasting Notes: Elegant bouquet of ripe black berried fruits with a touch of tobacco leaf and cigar box from oak maturation. On the palate, a silky texture and superb equilibrium of fruit, integrated oak and acidity. Harmonious, classical and refined, the layered, svelte mouthful lingers long.
Producers’ Pairing Suggestion: Delicious with carpaccio, coq au vin, roast lamb, beef and venison.
R500pb ex-cellar, Paarl.