Dad's "Daddy Cool" Gift Set

Six great houses, one passion for Cabernet

This reserve set is an homage to Cabernet Sauvignon, the most widely planted red grape variety at the Cape. All six wines are built upon it: two single-varietal Cabernets from the Simonsberg and Helderberg, three classic Bordeaux blends, and a cuvée that unites Cabernet with Syrah and Merlot. Behind them stand some of the country’s most traditional houses, from Vergelegen with roots dating back to 1700, to Rust en Vrede, to Glenelly with its Pauillac heritage. A set for red wine lovers who want to compare the pinnacle of Cape Cabernet directly, and a stylish gift.

The six bottles in the set

• Glenelly Lady May 2019 The flagship from Glenelly on the Simonsberg, founded by May de Lencquesaing, the long-time owner of Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac. A Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux blend with dark berries, mocha, and cedarwood, sweet fruit, and fine, powdery tannins. Tim Atkin 96 points.
• Vergelegen Estate Red 2022 From the historic Vergelegen estate in Somerset West, whose history dates back to 1700. A Bordeaux blend from the warmer north and north-west slopes of the estate. Cassis, pencil shavings, plum compote, and spices; powerful and juicy. Platter 5 stars.
• De Grendel Rubaiyat 2020 The flagship of De Grendel, named after the quatrains of the Persian poet Omar Khayyam. For this reason, the blend always consists of four varieties, and each vintage features a different quatrain on the label. Black fruit, laurel, coffee, violets, and graphite; elegant and long.
• Rust en Vrede Estate 2021 The iconic cuvée from one of the most renowned red wine estates on the Helderberg, founded in 1694 and specializing exclusively in red wine since 1977. Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah and Merlot, assembled in the ratio of their own vineyard sites. Cassis and blackberry, black pepper from the Syrah, plus cedar and Black Forest gateau. Platter 94 points.
• Warwick The Blue Lady Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 The top Cabernet from Warwick on the Simonsberg, which Stan Ratcliffe bought in 1964 and planted with Cabernet Sauvignon. From two sites with different orientations. Cassis, blackberry, graphite, and tobacco leaf; muscular yet refined. Tim Atkin 94 points.
• Boekenhoutskloof Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 From Marc Kent and Gottfried Mocke, one of the most sought-after winemaker duos at the Cape. From selected parcels on the Helderberg and in Vlottenburg, influenced by the cool False Bay. Dark fruit and graphite, with an elegant, Bordeaux-reminiscent structure. Tim Atkin 95 points.

At a glance: 6 bottles of 0.75 l each, red wine, South Africa, dry. Best served at 16 to 18 degrees, ideally decanted.

Vinification

• Glenelly Lady May 2019: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Hand-harvested, lightly crushed, spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel with two pump-overs per day. Initially aged for 12 months as individual components in barriques (30 to 40% new), after blending for another 12 months in barriques (75% new). Stellenbosch (Simonsberg).
• Vergelegen Estate Red 2022: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot. Harvested according to the ripeness of each variety, separate fermentation in stainless steel. Aged in barrels of varying sizes and oak types, followed by blending. Stellenbosch.
• De Grendel Rubaiyat 2020: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, led by Cabernet Sauvignon. Fermentation and 18 months of aging in new French oak barrels. WO Coastal Region (De Grendel, Durbanville).
• Rust en Vrede Estate 2021: 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Syrah, 10% Merlot, exclusively from their own vines. Hand-harvested and sorted, parcels and clones vinified separately. About 18 months in 300-liter French oak barrels. Stellenbosch (Helderberg).
• Warwick The Blue Lady Cabernet Sauvignon 2021: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from two of the estate's sites. Hand-harvested, destemmed, and crushed, two to three weeks on the skins. 22 months in French barriques (33% new). Stellenbosch (Simonsberg).
• Boekenhoutskloof Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021: Cabernet Sauvignon from weathered granite, Table Mountain sandstone, and Koffieklip soil. Hand-harvested, cooled, destemmed, cold maceration, and spontaneous fermentation in tulip-shaped concrete tanks. Malolactic fermentation in 225-liter barriques, 22 months of aging in lightly toasted French oak. Stellenbosch (Helderberg, Vlottenburg).

Pairs well with: Beef fillet, grilled entrecôte, rack of lamb, venison loin, game dishes, braised beef shoulder, Beef Wellington, mushroom dishes, mature hard cheese, dark chocolate, and evenings that call for great red wines.