Some of those taking part in the 43rd Nederburg Auction have dug deep in their cellars and hearts to provide some truly valuable items to be auctioned off at the Charity Auction for this year’s sole beneficiary, sp(i)eel. sp(i)eel is an arts therapies collective, nonprofit organization working throughout the greater Cape winelands and delivers some outstanding work for children and adults alike.
sp(i)eel uses arts therapies including art, drama, dance, movement and music as a source of transformation, healing and rehabilitation for communities in both rural and urban settings. Working with children, adults, the elderly and people suffering from trauma and mental health difficulties, sp(i)eel offers vulnerable population groups an alternative form of psychological therapy that is inherently inclusive in its nonverbal, embodied and creative-expressive nature.
Once again, Roland Peens of Wine Cellar will be handling the hammer at the 2017 Charity Auction. Roland’s relentless enthusiasm in getting top dollar for Auction beneficiaries should keep bidders entertained to the very last lot. Roland recently visited some of sp(i)eel’s projects and said: “I am absolutely delighted to be able to contribute back to the industry in this way. Many of the children that are supported by sp(i)eel have broken homes and this incredible team has already made an impact to many of these children’s futures. Hopefully we can raise enough funds to increase the impact of this wonderful initiative. There are very impressive lots on offer this year, including a trip to Christie’s in London, 60 year old Bordeaux and original artwork. I call on all bidders at the Auction to support sp(i)eel!”
The following items have been generously donated and will be auctioned by Roland Peens at the 2017 Charity Auction in support of sp(i)eel:
Item 1: G & J Selection Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2006 | 6 x 750ml, donated by Janake Wine Group and Luigi Righetti
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico wines are red Amarone wines from the traditional Classico zone of Valpolicella in Veneto (the original area of Amarone production, which was later expanded). Amarone della
Valpolicella is a typically rich and long aging Italian dry red wine made northwest of the city of Verona. The production requires partially dried Corvina grapes, resulting in a richly layered, full bodied-style with dark fruits, raisins, coffee, and chocolate. It is a Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOCG) of Italy and is regarded as one the finest appellations in the country. The wine has been matured in new French barrels for two years. Luigi Righetti is one of the leading producers of Amarone.
Item 2: Vega Sicilia Tinto Valbuena 5, Ribera del Duero 2006 | 1 x 1.5L, donated by Janake Wine Group and Luigi Righetti
From Spain’s most famous producer, the wine consists of approximately 85% Tinto Fino, 15% Malbec and Merlot combined. The wine spent 7 months in large capacity wooden vats then aged in new barrels of 60% American oak and 40% French oak for 15 months. Following this, the wine was then further aged in semi-used barrels for 3 months prior to an additional 3 months in the large-capacity wooden vats before bottling in May 2009.
Item 3: Vieux Château Certan, Grand Cru Pomerol 1967 | 1 x 750ml, donated by The Sommeliers Academy and Jean-Vincent Ridon
Along with Pétrus, La Conseillante, Le Pin and Lafleur, Vieux Château Certan is considered to be the aristocracy of Pomerol. The wine has been kept in an underground European cellar and the bottle is in perfect condition, an ideal vintage for a 50th anniversary. A very rare wine.
Item 4: Weekend Away at Vondeling House, Voor-Paardeberg, Paarl | Sleeps 14, donated by Vondeling Wines
A weekend away for up to 14 friends or family to share the luxuriously appointed and extremely comfortable Foundling House on the unspoilt slopes of the Paardeberg mountain. The house includes a fully equipped kitchen, a dining and sitting room with a cosy fireplace, a recreation room with snooker table, table tennis, satellite TV and WIFI. The efficient housekeeper and chef can do as much – or as little – as you require.
Surrounding Foundling House are peaceful gardens with delightful shaded terraces, a 20m swimming pool, braai (BBQ), lapa area, croquet & boulle courts and a spot-lit tennis court. A perfect weekend retreat for relaxing, entertaining and enjoying fine wines.
Item 5: La Motte Private Cellar Hanneli R Magnum 2007 | 1 x 1.5L, donated by La Motte
The 2nd harvest of Hanneli R, which produced only 3,000 bottles, with limited quantities still available. A Shiraz-based blend produced from hand-harvested grapes, selected exclusively when a vintage yields exceptional quality. Matured in new wood for 30 months and bottled in September 2011. A La Motte Flagship wine, which is not for general release making it a “one of a kind”.
Item 6: David and Nadia Elpidios 2012, 2013 & 2014 | 1 x 750ml 2012, 2 x 750ml 2013 & 3 x 750ml 2014, donated by David & Nadia
David was born and bred in the Swartland and studied Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch. It was here that he met and later married Nadia, a qualified soil scientist and viticulturist. They work with various vineyards and like-minded farmers in the Swartland that share their vision. Focus is on different soil types, mountain terrain and mainly bush vines. In the cellar there is a minimal intervention approach.
Their flagship red Elpidios, is one of the Swartland’s finest, a blend of Carignan, Syrah, Pinotage, Cinsaut and Grenache. It was blended to showcase the vintage at its best, working with the same seven Swartland vineyards, focusing on granite from the Paardeberg as the base of the blend. It also holds fruit from shale from Kasteelberg, iron rich soils from the Western Swartland and clay from north of Malmesbury.
Item 7: 2012 ABSA Pinotage Top 10 | 10 x 750ml, donated by the Pinotage Association
The ABSA Pinotage Top 10 sets the benchmark for South Africa’s most successful “indigenous” variety. The Top 10 laureates in this event are among the finest ambassadors of South African wine. The 2012 Top 10 collection includes: Altydgedacht 2011, Diemersdal 2011, Durbanville Hills Rhinofields 2011, Painted Wolf Guillermo 2009, Rijk’s Private Cellar 2008, Simonsig Redhill 2010, Spier 21 Gables 2010, Swartland Bush Vine 2010, Wellington Wines La Cave 2010 and Windmeul Reserve 2011.
Item 8: Château d’Yquem 1995, Penfolds Grange 2004, Opus One 1995 | 3 x 750ml, donated by Rainer Kloos on behalf of Cape Wine and More
These wines rank amongst the most iconic wines in the world and will further enhance any serious wine collector’s portfolio. Rainer has personally been involved in the SA and international wine business for more than 30 years and feels privileged to be able to make this donation from his collection to ensure that the beneficiaries of the funds raised can in some way benefit.
Item 9: Auction Artwork: “The Wonderful Winelands of the Cape” | 1 x Original Auction Artwork, Ink on Fabriano Paper, donated by Michael Chandler of Chandler House (200 x 27cm). The work is framed in a beautiful kiaat frame.
Last year Michael drew a similar illustration of Cape Town, which has been an enormous success. It was because of this work that he was approached to do something for the Nederburg Auction. While he really enjoyed doing the illustration of the Mother City, he has for a long time wanted to turn his hand towards the Cape Winelands. He never started on the piece because he was intimidated by a subject matter that would be a great deal bigger and with a painstaking amount of detail. When he found out that the commission for the Nederburg Auction would be an enormous, wide wall - he knew that the time had come to do an epic version of the Winelands. To date, this is the largest, most detailed illustration that he has ever done. The 2 metre work took him many, many winter evenings to complete. Most of the work was drawn from memory or invented as the illustration grew from left to right. The long, narrow work begins with Wellington on the extreme left and runs through Paarl, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Somerset West and ends at False Bay. While he is well known for his highly detailed illustrations, which have been celebrated in many private commissions, he has also completed large, architectural ceramic murals at Bosjes, the Robertson Small Hotel and other private commissions that have been installed both locally and internationally.
Item 10: Château Figeac Premier Grand Crû Classé, St Emilion 1967 | 3 x 730ml, donated from the Distell Tabernacle
Château-Figeac, 1st Great Classified Growth of Saint-Emilion, offers the elegance and the refinement of the greatest Bordeaux wines. The estate’s location is remarkable, as are its outstanding terroir and its history, which is inextricably linked to that of Saint-Emilion. Its origins date back to the 2nd century AD and the Figeacus family, who gave the estate its name. The Manoncourt family, which has owned the estate for over 120 years, has shaped the unique character of the Château- Figeac of today.
The 1967 wine vintage is generally considered to be a good, solid vintage that favoured the vineyards in regions that harvested early such as Pomerol, Graves and St Emilion. The Figeac will be mature and beautiful. A perfect gift for a 50th birthday or celebration.
Item 11: Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac 1957 | 1 x 750ml, donated from the Distell Tabernacle
Vines first appeared on what is now known as the Mouton-Rothschild estate in the early 18th century. The Rothschild family had bought the property in 1853. Mouton upgraded to 1st Growth Status in 1973, the only change ever to be made to the 1855 Classification.
From a tannic and tough vintage (long lived!), this is likely just beginning to shed its muscularity a bit. A serious contender for a birthday bottle. The Rothschild talent for marketing and innovation resulted in the wine industry's first high-profile label design program. Starting in 1945 the château has each year commissioned a famous artist to design the label. The list of contributors includes Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. In Pauillac, Mouton has 205 acres under cultivation, which includes 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. On average the vines are 46 years old. The artist for this bottle of Mouton is Belgian-born surrealist artist André Masson, who is renowned in France as pioneer of cubism and automatic drawing. The label design represents “a hymn in praise of contented drunkenness”.
Item 12: Periquita Vinho Tinto José Maria da Fonseca Succs 1967 | 2 x 750ml, donated from the Distell Tabernacle
From the good 1967 vintage, Periquita is one of Portugal’s and the world’s most famous wine brands. And probably one of the very first, sold as far back as 1850! Traditional-style, very mature red with well-rounded flavours of dried cherry, smoke and spice. Good structure, with some drying tannins and mushroomy notes on the finish. A part of history!
Item 13: International Wine & Dine Experience, London – Including Return Flight Flights, accommodation, fine-wine lunch or dinner and tour of Christie’s Auction House, donated by David Elswood and Tourvest Travel.
This once in a lifetime experience includes two return economy class tickets to London, two-nights accommodation at Christie’s private apartments in the heart of Piccadilly, a fine-wine lunch or dinner hosted by Auctioneer and International Head of Wine for Christie's, David Elswood and a tour of Christie's Auction House in London. A rare opportunity indeed!
Item 14: The 40, 50 and 60 year olds: Lanzerac Cabernet Sauvignon 1957, Chateau Libertas 1967, Zonnebloem Cabernet Sauvignon 1977 | 6 x 750ml, donated from the Distell Tabernacle
A rare collection of 2 each of the 40, 50 and 60 year old reds. A small part of history.
Lanzerac Cabernet Sauvignon 1957
Lanzerac Cabernet 1957 was the first wine bottled under the Lanzerac label. It was made in small quantities from low-yielding bushvines grown on the estate where the famous Lanzerac Hotel is currently situated.
Chateau Libertas 1967
Tasted by Christian Eedes in 2012 as part of the Chateau Libertas 80th birthday celebrations – “Marmite, earthy, truffle-like notes on the nose. Good vinosity. Dark fruit, fresh to the point of tart acidity and fine tannins”. 17/20
Selection Panel: Garnet and dark blood hue, dark fruits, red fruits, blood and iron; fresh and long, awesome!
Zonnebloem Cabernet Sauvignon 1977
One of the oldest continually available trademarks still on the market is Zonnebloem Cabernet Sauvignon, the benchmark by which many other Cape Cabernets are judged. The blending principle is that of Bordeaux: it has never been one hundred per cent Cabernet, not even when John de Villiers was said to have crushed 10 parts Cabernet to one part Hermitage.
The history of Zonnebloem, one of SA’s most esteemed wines, dates back to the early part of the 18th century when the wines were already being produced on the Zonnebloem farm at Simondium. In 1940, John de Villiers, owner of the farm, started making red wines in collaboration with Bill Winshaw. The first awards were won in 1943 and in 1946, at the Cape Wine Show, Zonnebloem received nine trophies and the overall champion gold medal.
Item 15: Tobermory 42 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky 1973 | 1 x 700ml, donated from the Distell Tabernacle
For lovers of fine whisky, this is a rare opportunity to own something unique. A whisky that began its life amid the reawakening of the distillery: a true milestone in the brand’s history, a whisky of this age will not appear again for quite some time, making it truly historic. It is the rarest whisky ever made at Tobermory Distillery.
Tobermory Distillery is the only distillery on the Isle of Mull, the largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. Built in 1798, it is one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland.
Beautifully presented in a brushed aluminium style box with rotating door to reveal bottle with internal artwork by renowned artist Angus Stewart.
Item 16: Chateau Musar, Gaston Hochar 1959 | 1 x 750ml, donated from the Wine Cellar
The 1959 was the late Serge Hochar’s first vintage and is often said to have been his favourite wine. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan from high up in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon, this eccentric but legendary wine seems to have many parallels with Chateau Libertas. The extremely rare 1959 Musar was tasted recently against the Chateau Libertas 1959 . The nose was slightly earthy and musty, but blew off over
30 minutes to reveal wonderful sweet fruit and exotic spice. There is generous sweetness on the palate, which was more composed than the Chateau Libertas, meaning it still could age even further. This wine was recorked and relabelled at the property in 2012, keeping the legacy for future generations.
Item 17: Van Ryn’s 40 year old, non-chill filtered, cask strength Brandy | 1 x 750ml presented in a David Reade original hand blown decanter, donated by Van Ryn’s
This product was crafted by the master distiller who had the foresight and vision 40 years ago to create a product older than 20 years old not knowing what the future would hold for a product of this stature or whether a market would ever exist for such a product. He was well aware that he would not be able to savour the fruits of his labour but was energised and exhilarated by the opportunity to create something unique and special. It symbolises Van Ryn’s rich history of excellence, passion and creativity.
It is the result of extensive experimental investigation at a time when brandy making was much more of an art than a science. Different cultivars, distillation techniques (pot still type/size – this vintage distilled in Savalle copper pot stills) and maturation conditions (barrel types) all contributed to the investigation. Unbeknown to the master distiller, this blend represents a very early attempt at barrel finish as barrels previously used for sweet wine maturation were used in the maturation process. After 15 years, the brandy was re-vatted in 1992 and subsequently tasted at regular intervals to ensure optimal flavour and aroma development. In the process, the creation initiated by one generation, was completed by the next generation of master distillers and the baton of excellence successfully handed over. This product was chosen by the current master distiller and blender based on the exceptional taste and complex aroma. It is completely natural, unassuming yet expertly crafted.
Item 18: A tribute to Günter Brözel – Six 40-yearold Nederburg Wines: Baronne 1977, Cabernet Sauvignon 1977, Pinotage 1977, Shiraz 1977, Edelrood 1977, Edelkeur 1977 | 5 x 750ml and 1 x 375ml, donated by Nederburg
Cellar-master Andrea Freeborough has chosen a selection of wines almost as old as the Nederburg Auction itself. Six bottles of Nederburg 1977 vintage wines, made by her legendary predecessor, Günter Brözel, now in his eighties, are a fine example of longevity, of the Auction (now in its 43rd year), of Brözel who remains a source of inspiration to the Nederburg winemaking team and of the wines made in the Nederburg cellars.
All made by Brözel, the special vintage collection of 40 year old Nederburg wines features a still glowing Edelkeur, the legendary noble late harvest that gave rise to the Nederburg Auction and was to earn the cellar considerable international kudos. There’s also an elegant Shiraz, Pinotage, and Baronne (Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz), ready to drink now, as well as an impressive Edelrood (Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot), and a Cabernet Sauvignon showing outstanding further ageing potential.
A rare collector's item for its archival value alone, these wines will be a thrilling experience.
For further information, please visit the Nederburg Auction website at www.nederburgauction.co.za.