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In July 2018, Vergelegen hosted a tasting for 6 Masters of Wine, along with some of London’s top sommeliers, in Stellenbosch. In the tasting, the experts were served (blind) Vergelegen ‘V’ against the Bordeaux First Growths plus some Cult Wines from the USA. The results of the blind tasting were absolutely extraordinary. Vergelegen ‘V’ 2005 came in 1st Place, beating Mouton-Rothschild, Haut-Brion and Dominus!
Sadly, there is no Vergelegen ‘V’ 2005 left in the estate’s cellars, but after this extraordinary result Vergelegen were happy to arrange another dinner where the experiment was conducted again. Cru was fortunate enough to attend this special evening, where it was the turn of the 2012 to yet again surprise the vinous world and triumph over the great names of Bordeaux and California.
Vergelegen ‘V’ 2013
The 2013 vintage is arguably better than the 2012. According to Tim Atkin MW, who awarded both vintages a fabulous 95 points, 2013 may in fact be “the best V made yet… with notes of dried herbs, sweet oak and good structure and concentration” (TA). Crafted from an old clone of Cabernet Sauvignon, the vines which give life to this incredible cuvée grow on warm and north/northwest facing soil. Given the difficulties faced by the mightiest Bordeaux producers in 2013, the odds on Vergelegen repeating such a victory may be rather favourable...
First made in 2001, with a break in 2002 and 2010, V is the top wine at Vergelegen and is suitably ambitious stuff, aged entirely in new oak. Polished, elegant and refined, with smooth tannins, notes of graphite and iron and a long, complex finish that promises more in bottle.
Drinking Window: 2018 - 2025
Reviewer Name: Tim Atkin MW
Review Date: 1st December 2017
The 2013 Vergelegen "V" is the flagship wine from a single site, the Cabernet Sauvignon complemented by Merlot and Cabernet Franc from adjacent vineyards in this vintage (the first time this has happened since the 2008). It was matured for 18 months in 100% new oak, Taransaud T5 (60 months drying before assembling). It has a clean and precise bouquet with intense blackberry, wild strawberry, graphite and melted tar aromas that for me, offer much more precision and sophistication compared to the GVB Red this year. The palate is dense and full-bodied with powerful black fruit laced with graphite and a touch of spice. This feels robust but not muscular, even a little foursquare toward the finish, suggesting that it will require two or three years in bottle to mellow. Very promising, but long-term.
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2035
Reviewer Name: Neal Martin
Review Date: 1st August 2018
