Cederberg
South Africa’s most uniquely situated vineyard is located within the pristine Cederberg Wilderness Area, which lies in the Cape Floral Kingdom. Here, among spectacular rock formations and fynbos, you will find the highest altitude vineyards in the Cape. The cool climate and remote location, with its pure mountain air and water, ensures that the vines are virus free. This results in award winning wines which show an exceptional purity of fruit.
THE NIEUWOUDT FAMILY
Dating back to 1893, there have been five generations of Nieuwoudts on the farm Dwarsrivier in Cederberg. Appropriately, the family name means ‘New Wood’. Far north of the softer, settled scenes of the estates closer to Cape Town, the Nieuwoudts broke ground in Cederberg, farming tobacco and fruit, before discovering that this rocky, high-altitude terrain provided the ideal terroir for wines of distinction. Today, David Nieuwoudt carries on the pioneering family tradition, innovating and growing award-winning wines. A keen ‘rocker’ or rock climber, David is not afraid to go in new directions, experimenting with new techniques and not merely resting on his own or his family’s success. His training at Elsenburg Wine Academy and passionate love of wine has resulted in a wide repertoire of wines, each with special character and appeal.
TERRIOR & HARVEST
The farm Dwarsrivier, where the grapes for Cederberg Wines are cultivated, is situated at the foot of Sneeuberg Mountain. The natural vegetation and mountainous terrain provides many different slopes with a variety of soil types that are well-drained on the weathered shale/slate of the hillsides and high mountain slopes. There is higher clay content soil which is well suited to red varieties as well as lightly structured soil with sandstone that is is well suited to white varieties. At more than 3,200 feet above sea level, the high elevation provides more rainfall than all of the Western Cape and the climatic zone can be described as a cool Mediterranean climate, rather than a maritime or coastal climate. Average temperatures during the day vary between 55 and 65°F in winter months, rising to 85°F in January and 102°F in February. During harvest time only small amounts of grapes are harvested every day, never more than five tons at a time. In the morning harvesting starts at 05:30 while it is still cool, and continues until 09:00, before the heat of the day sets in. During the last 15 years the harvest has shifted from mid-February to the last days of January. Harvest time nowadays lasts until 20 April.
THE WINES
At Cederberg Private Cellar, red wine production constitutes 60% of overall production, and white wine 40%. For white vine varieties the focus is on Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Bukettraube, for red wine varieties, on Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
Sauvignon Blanc
An elegant wine that is full of life. On the nose you will find capsicum, gooseberries, white asparagus and a hint of lime zest. A crisp flinty finish with a lingering aftertaste, leaving your palate refreshed. The ideal companion to a traditional chicken pie, but try it with shellfish or pork to bring the best out of your dish.
Accolades:
Sauvignon Blanc- 90 Wine Spectator 2013; 90 Stephen Tanzer 2014; 89 Stephen Tanzer 2017; 90 Wine Enthusiast 2017; IWSC Silver 2017; 91 Tim Atkin 2018, 90 Robert Parker 2018; Decanter Silver 2019; Veritas Gold 2019
Chenin Blanc
A truly unique Cederberg style of Chenin Blanc offering a crisp freshness with layers of winter melon, grapefruit, green apples and fleshy white pear. Five months lees contact ensured a mouth coating creaminess on the palate. This is a fine example of the high potential that this grape variety is capable of when treated with care. This wine will be well suited to creamy dishes and light summer lunches.
Accolades:
Chenin Blanc-88 Robert Parker 2015; 90 Robert Parker 2016; 90 Stephen Tanzer 2017; 89 Wine Enthusiast 2017; Veritas Silver 2019; 90 Tim Atkin 2018; 89 Robert Parker 2018
Bukettraube
It is generally accepted that the variety was cultivated in Alsace, Germany in the 19th Century. Winegrower Sebastian Englert (1804–1880) selected a seedling in about 1860 in the Randersacker municipality in the Lower Franconia district (Bavaria). It is a cross between Sylvaner and Frankenthal. Bukettraube is registered as a cultivar in Germany, France, Spain and South Africa. The skin of the grape is a little bit thinner; therefore it is more sensitive to oidium (A fungus). Bunches are sensitive to Botrytis. It matures relatively early with good sugar and acid levels and is prized for the aromatic note it can bring to blends.
A rare and beautiful aromatic wine which exhibits delicate floral notes of rose petals, dried mango, apricot and muscat flavours . A well balanced wine with a delicate sweetness and a crisp acidity.
Enjoyed as an aperitif; partner to spicy fusion foods – not hot; Cape Malay curries, or as an alternative to certain cheeses. This vintage proves to be one of the best over the past decade.
Accolades:
Bukettraube-89 Robert Parker 2013; 87 Wine Spectator 2014; 88 Wine Spectator 2015; 89 Stephen Tanzer 2016; 89 Robert Parker 2016; 89 Stephen Tanzer 2017; 87 Wine Spectator 2018; 89 Tim Atkin 2018
Merlot-Shiraz Blend
A fruit driven blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Shiraz. Expectional wine filled with ripe plums, raspberry and hints of dark chocolate with Smoky nuances leaving a sweet creamy texture. The juicy tannins make this wine approachable and ready to drink but will improve over the next 4 years. A must with every braai, but also suited to rich game dishes.
Accolades:
Merlot/Shiraz-89 Stephen Tanzer 2009; 88 Wine Spectator 2010; 87 Wine Spectator 2013; 87 Stephen Tanzer 2014; 89 Stephen Tanzer 2015
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Shiraz
A powerful yet elegant Shiraz with a multitude of aromatic layers and rich concentration. Expect intense mulberry flavours layered with roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate and spice. A well structured wine with a lingering velvet finish that will age superbly.
Pair with South African game, powerful cheeses such as young cheddar or gruyere or indulge by pairing with intricate dark bitter chocolate.
Accolades:
Cederberg Shiraz-90 Wine Spectator 2010; 90 Robert Parker 2011; 91 Wine Spectator 2011; 91 Wine Spectator 2012; 89 Robert Parker 2013; 91 Stephen Tanzer 2014; 91 Wine Spectator 2014; 89 Robert Parker 2015; 90 Wine Spectator 2015; 93 Tim Atkin 2016; IWSC Silver 2016; 91 Tim Atkin 2017; Veritas Gold 2017; Six Nations Wine Challenge Gold 2018
Cabernet Sauvignon
Concentrate dark fruits of blackcurrant and cassis, laced with a subtle mint undertone. Careful use of oak lends a hint of tobacco leaf, vanilla and smokey element to this complex wine. Expect this wine to mature gracefully in the next 8 years. A prime example of a well crafted South African Cabernet Sauvignon.
Accolades:
Cabernet Sauvignon-90 Robert Parker 2010; 89 Stephen Tanzer 2013; 88 Stephen Tanzer 2014; 89 Robert Parker 2014; 90 Wine Spectator 2015; 92 Tim Atkin 2016, IWSC Silver 2016; 89 Robert Parker 2016
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Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon
A premium wine in the Cederberg range, only 5 200 bottles produced every year. The 18 months of maturation in new French oak has intensified the rich aromas of blackcurrant and cassis, layered with decadent dark chocolate and cherry tobacco. A velvety texture that lingers on the palate with a distinct blackcurrant aftertaste. A ripe tannin structure from the grapes hanging up to 18 days longer in the vineyard, gives this wine the potential to mature for many years to come.
Accolades:
Platter’s SA Wine Guide ’20 : 4.5 – 2017 vintage
IWSC ’19 : Silver – 2017 vintage
Tim Atkin ’19 Report : 93 points – 2017 vintage
IWSC ’19 : Silver – 2017 vintage
Old Mutual Wine Trophy ’19 : Bronze – 2016 vintage
Decanter World Wine Awards ’19 : Silver – 2016 vintage
Prescient Cabernet Sauvignon Report ’19 : 90 points – 2016 vintage
SAWi Awards ’17 – Top Ranking Cabernet Sauvignon : 24th Position
