CAPE FINE WINE INDEX

1st Edition

Wädenswil, February 2024

Dear friends of wine, dear wine investors

It is our pleasure to inform you that wine producers of top wines in South Africa have benefited enormously over the past two years. As a result of increased international recognition with new top ratings by renowned experts such as Robert Parker, Vinous, Jancis Robinson, Tim Atkin and other wine publications, the price development of most South African top wines has increased considerably. You can find more information here.

It is therefore not surprising that ever higher prices are being demanded and paid on the secondary market for «sold out» and mature vintages from top wine estates. In addition, more and more South African wines are appearing at international auctions. We at KapWeine are also selling more and more «matured» wines, whereby our customers are prepared to pay a sometimes considerable premium for (ready-to-drink) top wines and to store them as an investment. All these factors mean that, as predicted, a considerable price development has already taken place in our – or rather your – CFWI portfolio.

This is due to the positive development of top South African wines and their excellent valuations, combined with the ever-increasing international demand for sought-after top bottles. It is therefore no wonder that the issue prices of the current vintages are rising rapidly.

For these reasons, the wines in the Cape Fine Wine Index portfolio have increased in value by an average of more than 20% over the last two years. Take a look at the details below in our updated report. We hope you enjoy reading it.

And finally, we are now looking to the future with excitement and expectation to see where the individual wines and the portfolio as a whole will be in terms of price over the next 12 months. As it stands, all signs point to further growth in value.

We are proud to be able to share this success with you and look forward to offering you further first-class investment opportunities in the next Cape Fine Wine Index portfolio.

More information will follow shortly.

Best regards, Andy Zimmermann and the KapWeine team

To the update

The most important in short

  • The right moment to invest in South African wines

  • With guaranteed returns in the coming years

  • 54 high quality investment red wines

  • Limited to 60 portfolios

  • With top vintages/ratings and mature wines

  • Extraordinary maturation potential

LIQUID RETURN – WHY WINE INVESTMENTS ARE PROFITABLE!

About 40 years ago, you could buy a bottle of Bordeaux Premier Grand Cru for about CHF 50. It was then cellared for almost 20 years until the wine reached
drinking maturity. Today, these same wines cannot be found for less than several hundred Swiss francs, which is an extraordinary increase in value.

A system has developed to sell the matured wines at a profit and thus finance one‘s wine consumption.

Wine prices compared to gold and the MSCI World equity index from 2004 to 2020.

WHY INVEST IN SOUTH AFRICAN WINE?

Over 30 years ago, when I bought my first bottles of South African wine in South Africa, the price for the «best» and bestknown wine at the time was the «Meerlust Rubicon», which was CHF 10.-. There were no more expensive wines available then. Today, the price is CHF 40.- for a bottle of Rubicon from the 2018 vintage. The 2008 vintage currently costs the equivalent of even CHF 150.- in England. Do the maths. No! You don‘t have to wait 15 or 20 years until the wine is ready to drink as in Bordeaux.

And no! We are not Bordeaux. We are South Africa!

Andy Zimmermann, CEO KapWeine:
«I always recommend a little foresight, because it is cheaper and easier to buy enough of the current vintage and let part of it mature in the cellar, especially
for wine lovers, just like you do with Bordeaux wines. And that brings us to the topic of the CAPE FINE WINE INDEX by KapWeine»

 

Andy Zimmermann

SECURE 1 OF 60 PORTFOLIOS 

To share with you the development of South African wines, we at KapWeine have launched the CAPE FINE WINE INDEX.

We have complied a portfolio of 54 red wine bottles, with rare, highly rated top wines, which you can acquire with a share certificate in the form of one bottle per wine. For the price of CHF 3481.60, you will become the proud owner of one bottle of each of the 54 red wines, we have selected for the portfolio.

If desired, we will store your wines for you for a few years, so that you can enjoy the indispensable increase in value. This can then be realised in a few years, when the complete portfolio is sold or you can enjoy the wines that have matured by then and celebrate the highest drinking pleasure at a low price.

You can obtain the entire portfolio anytime – or then ultimately resell it as a complete package (settlement/brokerage possible via us). Annual costs of CHF 99.- per complete package are charged for the storage & management fee.

All further information such as procedures, terms and conditions can be found under: kapweine.ch/en/cape-fine-wine-index

Cape Fine Wine Index Protfolio

THE GOLDEN AGE IS COMING

We have gained a lot of experience in terms of the potential of maturity by keeping our finger on the pulse of the South African wine industry, together with the producers over the decades.

From its small beginnings 26 years ago until today, our «matured rarity stock» has grown slowly but steadily. In the last five years, there has been a rapid growth of wines, which we put back in appealing quantities. In the meantime,
our «Tasting warehouse», as we affectionately call it, has grown to over 17,000 bottles. So we selected 54 wines for the first edition of the CAPE FINE WINE INDEX by KapWeine. Chosen according to quality, development potential, ratings and future appreciation in terms of rarity, brand power, availability and price development.

In order to pass on this experience to you, so that you can make the right choice for your investment, there will be a tasting of the 54 wines – price CHF 100.- per person (with snacks). The tasting will take place on Saturday, 29. October 2022 by appointment. So that you can taste the ageing potential of South African wines, we recommend that you try a matured Tasting set from Warwick Trilogy or Constantia Glen THREE or FIVE. Wines from Grangehurst/Vergelegen / Morgenster also offer good examples of current vintages, which are already matured on the market. If you like it even more precise, you will find what you are looking for in our Matured Wines, and Rarities range in the online shop.

Andy Zimmermann, CEO KapWeine:
«The dynamics of the South African wine industry and the qualities of wines have reached such a high level in the last years that I could never have imagined. Not even in my wildest dreams… and believe me, I dream a lot!»»

Andy Zimmermann

AMAZING PRICEPLEASURE RATIO

The 2015 and 2017 vintages are among the best for red wines of all time in South Africa, and this at a price / enjoyment ratio that one can often only dream of in Europe. The 2018 / 19 vintages do not need to hide either. And the 2020s could once again surpass everything.

In the case of the white wines, three vintages in a row stand out: 2019 / 2020 / 2021. But with the whites, the 2017s & 2018s are also considered very good. The South African secondary market for fine wines is gaining momentum. The combination of sales figures from the South African intermediary platform of Wine Cellar and the Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auctions results show a sales growth of 87% in the secondary market.

Ideally, South African wines have so far been spared speculation and can be purchased at predominantly «normal» prices, from CHF 40 to CHF 100. That is why now is exactly the right time to enter the top wine market in South Africa. The
fact that South Africa can keep up with the qualities of this wine world – but is still lagging behind in terms of price for various reasons, has prompted us to offer you the opportunity to benefit from the current situation with top vintages, highly rated wines, the still «favourable» prices in connection with the excellent maturation potential.

Anthony Mueller, Wine critic,  Robert Parker:
«More times than not, I’m struck with how affordable and cellar-worthy these wines are, and when I ask the producer if they intend to raise their prices from $15 to $20, I get an almost cringeworthy reaction. There is almost a fear that
the simple $5 jump in price will have a catastrophic effect on the brand. It’s strange, because I know dozens of consumers who specifically will not buy a $15 bottle of wine because of the price association some have with quality. They assume that because it’s a $15 bottle of wine, it will taste cheap and as if it were massproduced in an industrial warehouse. And both collectors and the everyday sipper can enjoy South African wines, as the country does both categories well.»

Cape Fine Wine Index – PORTFOLIO WITH 54 RED WINE BOTTLES

Brand

yr.

Rating

  2022

 2024

 
Bartinney Cabernet Sauvignon – gereift 2015 94GS 5PL 97IWSC 93DC 39.00 39.20 1%
Beyerskloof – Pinotage Diesel 2020 94 TA 94NM 5PL 95GS 79.00 79.00 0%
Boekenhoutskloof – Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek – gereift 2017 94TA 17SWZ 92WM 18.75BL 44.00 71.20 62%
Boekenhoutskloof – Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch – gereift 2017 94GS 5PL 93DC 44.00 63.20 44%
Boekenhoutskloof – Syrah – Swartland – gereift 2017 94TA 94NM 17SWZ 95MG 17.75BL 44.00 63.20 44%
Boschkloof – Shiraz Epilogue – gereift 2018 98TA 5PL 18SWZ 95DC 95WM 55.00 79.20 44%
Cederberg – Cabernet Sauvignon –  Five Generation gereift 2018 93TA 97DC 69.00 79.20 15%
Constantia Glen – FIVE –  gereift 2015 93TA 17SWZ 96IWSC 97DC 95WM 59.00 71.20 21%
Crystallum – Pinot Noir Cuvée Cinema 2021 17JR 96WM 49.00 52.00 6%
De Trafford – Elevation 393 – gereift 2014 95TA 92NM 5PL 55.00 79.20 44%
De Trafford – Syrah  393 2018 92TA 5PL 17.8BL 44.00 59.00 34%
Diemersdal – Cabernet Sauvignon The Journal – gereift 2018 92TA 17SWZ 95DC 95WM 34.00 47.20 39%
Diemersdal – Pinotage The Journal – gereift 2018 93TA 5PL 17SWZ 95DC 34.00 47.20 39%
Erika Obermeyer – Cabernet Sauvignon – gereift 2015 5PL 18SWZ 75.00 79.20 6%
Ernie Els – Signature – gereift 2015 92RP 5PL 92JS 55.00 75.00 36%
Gabrielskloof – Cabernet Franc Landscape – gereift 2017 17.5VI 96TA 95DC 39.00 47.20 21%
Glen Carlou – Cabernet Sauvignon Gravel Quarry – gereift 2017 17SWZ 96DC 39.00 47.20 21%
Glenelly – Lady May – gereift 2015 94TA 92NM 94WS 96GS 17.5JR 34.90 63.20 81%
Kanokop – Cabernet Sauvignon – Magnum – gereift 2015 94TA 92NM 5PL 93DC 109.00 127.20 17%
Kanonkop – Paul Sauer 2018 96TA 96NM 93GS 96DC 93JS 55.00 71.20 29%
Le Riche – Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – gereift 2017 96TA 93RP 97GS 5PL 96DC 59.00 79.20 34%
Lismore – Syrah Estate Reserve – gereift 2017 95TA 93NM 92RP 18JR 96DC 55.00 71.20 29%
Longridge – Merlot Misterie – gereift 2016 93NM 135.00 151.20 12%
Longridge – Pinotage Maandans 2018 93TA 92NM 93JS 96WM 85.00 103.20 21%
Meerlust – Rubicon – gereift 2017 96TA 96GS 5PL 42.00 47.20 12%
Mullineux – Schist Syrah Roundstone – gereift 2018 97TA 93NM 18JR 5PL 95JS 109.00 119.20 9%
Neil Ellis -Cabernet Sauvignon Jonkershoek – gereift 2017 93TA 92RP 5PL 26.90 39.20 46%
Porseleinberg – Boekenhoutskloof – gereift 2018 100TA 95NM 95RP 97GS 5PL 129.00 135.20 5%
Rainbow’s End – Family Reserve – gereift 2017 94TA 92RP 35.00 55.20 58%
Rall – AVA Syrah 2020 96TA 5PL 98WM 59.00 76.00 29%
Reyneke – Cornerstone – organic – gereift 2017 92TA NM96 94DC 23.90 31.92 34%
Rust en Vrede – 1694 Classification 2017 95WS 5PL 95DC 109.00 143.20 31%
Rust en Vrede – Syrah single vineyard – gereift 2016 5PL 17.8BL 89.00 119.20 34%
Sadie Family – Columella – gereift 2017 98TA 94NM 93RP 92WS 95WM 149.00 159.20 7%
Saxenburg – Shiraz Select 2019 93 TA 95DC 99.00 109.00 10%
Shannon – Black Merlot – gereift 2017 96TA 5PL 89.00 111.20 25%
Shannon – Mount Bullet Merlot – gereift 2017 94TA 5PL 92JS 93WM 49.00 71.20 45%
Spier – Frans K. Smit Red Blend 2017 92TA 5PL 89.00 99.00 11%
Storm – Pinot Noir Ignis – gereift 2018 95TA 5PL 49.00 55.20 13%
Storm – Pinot Noir Ridge – gereift 2018 94TA 92WM 49.00 55.20 13%
Storm – Pinot Noir Vrede – gereift 2018 94TA 92WM 49.00 55.20 13%
Thelema – Merlot Reserve 2019 95TA 96GS 5PL 39.00 47.20 21%
Thelema – Cabernet Sauvignon – gereift 2015 93TA 95GS 92DC 29.90 39.20 31%
Thelema – Rabelais – gereift 2018 96TA 96GS 93WM 47.00 63.20 34%
Tokara – Director’s Reserve Red – gereift 2017 95TA 94NM 5PL 93DC 93WM 99.00 143.20 45%
Tokara – Director’s Reserve Red – Magnum – gereift 2015 94TA 5PL 44.00 60.00 36%
Vergelegen – “V” – gereift 2014 95TA 17JR 5PL 69.00 87.20 26%
Vilafonté – Series C – gereift 2017 96TA 93NM 92 JS 92WM 129.00 143.20 11%
Vilafonté – Series M – gereift 2017 94TA 92NM 96GS 96JS 65.00 79.20 22%
Warwick – Cabernet Franc – Magnum – gereift 2015 17VI 94TA 17JR 17.75BL 89.00 119.20 34%
Warwick – Cabernet Sauvignon – Blue Lady – gereift 2015 17.5VI 94TA 92NM 92WS 95GS 39.00 55.20 42%
Warwick – Trilogy – gereift 2015 95TA 92DC 39.00 60.00 54%
Waterford – Cabernet Sauvignon- gereift 2015 95TA 94GS 49.00 55.20 13%
Waterford – The Jem – gereift 2015 97TA 93NM 5PL 96WM 109.00 159.20 46%
Lagergebühr (3 Jahre) CHF   218.40 215.80  
CAPE FINE WINE INDEX – PORTFOLIO PREIS CHF   3’700.00 4’480.00 28%
CFWI-diagramm

CFWI PERCENTAGE INCREASE SINCE 2022

Legend wine ratings:

VI = VINUM CH / TA = Tim Atkin UK / NM = Neal Martin – Vinous USA / RP = Ropert Parker USA / WS = Wine Spectator USA / GS = Greg Sherwood MW UK / JR = Jancis Robinson UK / PL = Platter’s SA / SWZ = Schweizer Weinzeitung CH / DC = Decanter UK / WM = WINEMAG SA / BL = Blick CH / IWSC = International Wine & Spirit Competition UK / JS = James Suckling USA

 

OUTSTANDING QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

From the depths of mass production to the Olympus of the wine world. Thanks to an almost unbelievable dynamism, driven by the wild young rebels (Young Guns), who were committed to top quality and broke new ground, South African wines continue to develop rapidly.

The knowledge of how to care for old vines leads to activities like the initiatives such as the Old Vine Project. The paths of natural production from the vineyard to the cellar are optimised with old cellar techniques, amphorae, concrete eggs and tanks, large foudres and the moving away from the use of new small oak barrels.

What was first practised by the young rebels is being adopted by more and more established wine producers! But wine quality has also improved everywhere else. The vineyards planted after the opening in 1992 are coming into their prime, and many of the generational wineries in the Cape have focused their activities on quality. The many new small wine producers in the last 25 years have set an example. The winemakers have taken a few years to convert the existing world-class terroir. To be precise, almost 20 years since the opening of the export markets in 1992. The developments are still ongoing. Renowned wine journalists
have recognised the treasures hidden in South Africa and that these are increasingly being brought to light or, better, into the bottle. The quotes from wine experts speak a clear language.

Neil Martin, wine critic Vinous:

«As I mentioned in my recent Cellar Favorite column, the secondary market intensifies year by year. As a writer, I am often entreated to come and taste the launch of a «new icon.» That’s just PR speak. You cannot manufacture an
icon; icons are created organically by consumer demand not manipulated supply. Though many of the wines are sometimes a fraction of the price commanded in Bordeaux, Burgundy or California, allocations are snapped
up in the blink of an eye and the secondary market means that some of these
bottlings can fetch multiples of their release price. Savvy consumers should
tuck a few of them away, not only because of the wines’ longevity, but because I suspect they will ultimately be collector’s items, just as old vintages of Paul Sauer or Columella have already become.» Vinous Report – 2021

«Many producers have driven the Cape‘s emergence as one of the world‘s most dynamic wine regions. They made wines that are often sheer in a bottle. As usual, I had to constantly check the selling prices because, after I had tasted 2019 Burgundy and 2018 Bordeaux, I got used to entry-level wines that sometimes cost more than 50 dollars a bottle, the same price as a dazzling South African wine that is on on the level of Bordeaux Second or Third Growth
or Burgundy Top Premier Cru. That is no exaggeration. This is the point where the best of the Cape now stands.» Vinous Report – 2021

Andy Zimmermann
Tip 55 sustainable wine labels

EXTRAORDINARY MATURITY POTENTIAL

The terroir determines the exceptional storage and maturity potential. Grown on the oldest soils in the world, South African wines consistently show excellent potential.

Almost all South African wines can be stored well for a long time, with most white wines being enjoyable after 3 to 10 years, and often, the best time is after 3 to 8 years unless you like it young, lively, fresh and crisp, depending on the grape variety. With the reds, we usually see an ideal drinking window after 8 to 15 years, whereby the optimal drinking pleasure begins with three, but preferably five to ten years after bottling. Those who prefer rough and tough start a little earlier, and those who prefer velvety and tertiary flavours wait a little longer. And of course, it depends on the grape variety. For example, I would add another three years with Cabernet Sauvignon wines. I have already drunk several top wines based on 20 years plus Cabernet Sauvignon. Many had the potential for another 10 to 20 years in the bottle. All this shows the character and qualities of our wines. This is not limited to top wines but applies to many good wines in the CHF 20 to CHF 30 price range. We at KapWeine too, are always surprised at how the small wines improve when they are open for one to three days, but of course, they go into the fridge closed with the cork or screw cap to sleep. The white wines improve within the first two days and quickly move from 80% potential to 100%. The wines with oak barrel ageing need one to two days longer to show their full potential. For the red wines, it takes two but usually three to five days for the wines to come together.

What is the reason for this? It is due to the terroir. In other words, the climatic conditions in conjunction with the soil. Because South Africa is spoilt here, of course, the socalled winemaker – we prefer to call him or herself a wine midwife – who is also involved. Because good winemakers let the wine be made and only accompany it. Because the wine is «made» in the vineyard. Of course, winemakers must know, feel and implement exactly what the vineyard, the grape and the wine need at the right time. The use of oak barrels is only cosmetic, but this also needs to be well assessed and timed! Here too, we optimise and let the wine do the talking! It does this best with the accompaniment / integration of amphorae, concrete eggs, concrete tanks and large used foudres / barrels to bring out the best in the wine without dominating it.

LONG-TERM STORAGE

At KapWeine, we have continuously expanded our range of mature wines over the years and have struck a note with our customers. More and more matured vintages from various producers are being purchased because our customers have recognised the added pleasure they offer. This has prompted many wine fans to store wines for the long term and to enjoy the ultimate pleasure of 95% to 100% of the wine‘s potential. Most South African wines are also drunk young at 70% to 80%. This is, of course, also possible and one will not be punished – but patience is rewarded. That is why we think that now is the right time to enter the top wine market in South Africa!

«Don‘t deny yourself: South Africa is firing on all cylinders. You just need to be selective and know where to look. Even as a fairly seasoned taster, at some point I sat back and marveled at the astonishing quality. The whites in particular are achieving such high levels of excellence that I imagined them as runners sprinting ahead, looking back at the reds and exhorting them to catch up.

As someone privileged with more than his fair share of rare and expensive Grand Cru Burgundy and First Growths, I can unhesitatingly state that the best of South Africa punches at the same weight. This report burgeons with wines born in climactic knife-edge, dry-farmed vineyards, often from ancient vines, and with minimal intervention by talented and frequently young winemakers in the opening chapters of long careers. Those winemakers are creating a scene that is exciting and dynamic, benefiting the industry
as a whole as it erodes the stigma and prejudice that too many people hold against this country’s wines. Thankfully, a cluster of top producers are steadily building track records and gaining loyal audiences, ensuring that their limited cuvées are selling out quicker and quicker each year. Trust me when I say that in a decade’s time, you might well rue not grabbing some of these exceptional wines.» NEAL MARTIN, Vinous Report November 2019.

As the probably best-known and most influential wine critic Neal Martin (formerly Robert Parker) of vinous writes: Don’t deny yourself – which means: Don’t miss it!

CFWI Cellar