Vergenoegd has – for a long time – been known for little more than being “the estate with the ducks”. And for good reason, because for a long time, the ducks were – arguably the most exciting thing going on there.

But there has been a delicious little revival going on, with really diligent soil study, widespread replanting of vineyards, and the arrival of an energetic new winemaker in Vusi Dalicuba.

For those who might be skeptical of an estate’s ability to re-invent itself, you might be pleased to hear that one of the lead consultants on the project was Kanonkop’s famous winemaker Abrie Beeslaar.
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If you have yet to sign up for your Monthly HanDrinksSolo Wine Subscription then you’ll have to hunt this wine down in your own time. But until then, here are my tasting notes and some technical specs:

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👃🏼The nose a suprisingly straight laced for a cultivar that has the reputation for often brimming with strawberry jam, chocolate, and pepper. What one finds instead is a decidedly classic presentation of red cherry fruit, black plum, lavender, blackcurrant fruit pastille, ad a lovely little savoury accent of  bay leaf.

👄 The palate follows in a similar veing, by presenting rich ripe fruit, but in the most orderly of fashion. Like when Manchester City squad have to sit in church for a teammate’s wedding. The whole affiar has lovely dense concentrated blackcurrant, fruit along with juicier red cherry. Like the rest of the wine, the tannins are bold, but tidy.