wine-info
Cederberg
Ever since we first started shipping from the Cape we have prized our friendship with David Niewoudt, one of the kindest, big-hearted, amusing and passionate winemakers we know. In April 2009 I again enjoyed his tour of this remarkable estate, which David took over in 1997, wondering at the hillside vineyards planted into hard shale, the outlying field fenced against baboons (a couple lurked on top of the remarkable rock pillars of the area), and the surrounding amphitheatre of mountains.
The vineyards here are 1100-1150 metres up in the Cederberg mountains. Good natural rainfall, around 550-600mm, cool temperatures and occasionally snow-bound winters, with plenty of wind, mean that Cederberg enjoys a near perfect climate, in particular a long ripening period. The whites are mountain-fresh, with plentiful natural acidity: our favourite is the Chenin Blanc, which took one of the 40 Grand d’Or awards at the Michelangelo Wine Awards in the Cape late in 2008; but we also return to the medium-dry Bukettraube this year. The reds enjoy generous oak, and the Shiraz is undoubtedly the pick: the 2006 vintage, including 5% Mourvèdre and 3% Cinsaut, won the International Rhône Trophy over £10 at the Decanter World
Wine Awards in the autumn.
As if David didn’t have enough to do at Cederberg, has bought land in Elim on slate and granitic soils. He has branded his wines from there Ghost Corner, the name sailors used to give to nearby Cape Agulhas, the most southerly point of Africa. The oaked Semillon was picked for the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild Auction and also won the prize for Best Semillon at last year’s South African Terroir Wine Awards.
Related Wines
-
Product Code: CED308
Cederberg, Bukettraube, Cederberg, 2008
“Pale and clear. Tropical aromas - papaya and pineapple. Medium dry wine, with mouthwatering white peach and guava flavours, zippily fresh and juicy....”
-
Product Code: CED605
Cederberg, Cederberger, Cederberg 2005
“A uniquely South African blend, from 50% Merlot, 30% Pinotage, and 20% Syrah, aged in old French and American oak barrels. Ripe, fresh, berried...”
-
Product Code: CED108
Cederberg, Chenin Blanc, Cederberg, 2008
“In the five years we have been working with Cederberg we have come round to the view that the Chenin Blanc may actually be their best wine: it’s...”
-
Product Code: CED407
David Nieuwoudt, Ghost Corner Semillon, Elim, 2007
“Pale and clear. Open scent of limeflower and smoke. Crisp attack, steely and citrussy, but builds well, with pear, greengage and asparagus notes on a...”
-
Product Code: CED806
Cederberg, Shiraz, Cederberg, 2006
“Youthful ruby. Slightly reduced so best decanted, but perfumed too, showing red fruits and dark chocolate. Oak well integrated well now (Jan 2010)....”
This is a 100% Secure Ecommerce Website
Our Favourite Selection
-
Product Code: CHX308
Cape Chamonix, Pinot Noir Reserve, Franschhoek, 2008
“Soft colour. Perfumed, with red fruit overliad by coffee oak. Both juicy and velvety, this is a really classy Pinot with (by Cape standards)...”
-
Product Code: FIC508
Domaine Olivier Fichet, Mâcon-Villages, Terroir de Burgy, 2008
“Young Olivier Fichet’s unoaked Chadonnay comes from his 6 hectares of vines in the excellent terroir of the northern Mâconnais near...”
-
Product Code: COW305
Domaine Le Couroulu, Vacqueyras, Vieilles Vignes, 2005
“80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, made from two parcels planted on the plateau amidst the garrigue by M. Ricard’s grandparents. Guy says this is the best...”
-
Product Code: AUM108
Domaine de l'Aumonier, Touraine Sauvignon, 2008
“Our best selling white wine for the last five years. Pale yellow. Fresh, lightly floral scent. Lots of flavour - lime and ripe grapefruit - and good...”
-
Product Code: CAE207
CarinaE, Malbec, Reserva, Mendoza, 2007
“Oaked, mainly in old barrels. Deep purple. Seductive creamy oak nose. Really ripe and fleshy wine, brambly fruit given substance and ageing potential...”
-
Product Code: JAC132
Jacquesson, Champagne, Cuvée 732, NV
“Quantities at Jacquesson are tiny, but quality is widely acknowledged as being extremely high. Cuvée 732 is based on the 2004 vintage and sourced...”
-
Product Code: PN310
Great New World Pinot
“A mixed case including two bottles of each of the six wines listed, with a discount of 10%”
More Info
-
Product Code: MAB108
Mas des Brousses, Chasseur des Brousses, Vin de Pays d’Oc, 2008
“60% Merlot with Grenache and Cinsaut, a wine with Bordelais style from the garrigue. Leafy and herby scents. Black plum and berry core, spiced with...”
-
Product Code: Spicedoz
-
Product Code: HON108
Honoro Vera, Jumilla, 2008
“Made at Bodegas Juan Gil from 100% Monastrell, organically grown in the mountains north of the city of Murcia. Deep, youthful purple. Very bright and...”
-
Product Code: LEN10
Lenten Restraint
“A case of three bottles of each of these four wines, with a discount of just over 10%; a mixed dozen intended simply to put decent, fresh, really well-made wines into your home for daily drinking,...”
More Info
-
Product Code: MEE107
Meerlust, Chardonnay, Stellenbosch, 2007
“Strong gold tone. Fascinating fragrance: lightly honeyed, and almost herbal, like a Vermouth. Caramel attack, very smooth, with a palate of...”
Share this website with your friends
