Vergelegen, V, Stellenbosch 2017

Seller: Mhilge 5

2017 Vergelegen V

Vergelegen V 2017 is a highly regarded, Cabernet-led Stellenbosch flagship—arguably a slightly fresher and more nuanced vintage than the 2018. It is already approachable with a long decant, but it has the structure to develop well into the 2030s. Wine profile Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, from Vergelegen’s Stone Pine IV vineyard on the Helderberg/Schaapenberg. Alcohol: 14.8% ABV. Winemaking: Hand-picked fruit, fermentation at 25–28°C, 28 days’ post-fermentation maceration, then 18 months in 100% new French oak and 24 months’ bottle ageing before release. Tasting and drinking window The nose offers red and black berries, tea leaf, violets, cedarwood, and a faint reductive note that should dissipate with air. On the palate it is focused and tight, with restrained power, pure fruit, fresh acidity, fine-grained tannins, and a long, dry finish. A practical window is 2026–2038: drink one now after a 2–3 hour decant if you want its primary Cabernet character, or cellar the remainder for more savoury complexity. Tim Atkin called 2017 “one of the best ever South African vintages,” and the wine has strong critical support. Scores and pricing Source Score / price WineMag, Christian Eedes 96 points Tim Atkin MW 95 points Wine Advocate, Anthony Mueller 94+ points