So I have given you our feedback on the Nederberg Winemaster’s Reserve white wine range (just in case you missed it – you can see it here), now we will be looking at the delectable red wine range.

In general, the red’s are my friend’s first choice and favourites when it comes to wines. We paired a delicious hearty Kudu stew with all the red wines and it definitely brought out the best in all of them.

Below are our views on the different red wines from the Winemaster’s reserve range :

Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Pinotage 2012

Overview from the vineyard :

• Colour : Ruby red
• Bouquet : A bounty of plums and prunes and some subtle oak spice
• Palate : A full mouthfeel with rich fruit flavours, soft tannins and a lingering aftertaste
• Food Suggestions : rich winter stews, roast duck, guinea fowl, quail, ostrich, game casserole, goulash, venison steak, smoked Kassler chops, pasta, pizza,
• roast leg of lamb, bobotie and even chocolate.

Our overall rating was 17

I was pleasantly surprised by Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Pinotage, it was very smooth and fruity. I do not like sharp acidic wines, so I really enjoyed the soft tannins in the Pinotage. The aftertaste is one that is very enjoyable. I think it is a great easy drinking red wine that would pair well with most red meats. I think it could also pair well with a dish that had plums in as it would enhance the fruity flavours in the wine.

*side note – this was our highest rated wine overall, other than the dessert wines 🙂 Everyone really enjoyed it and we were fighting over who would get a second glass.

General comments from my guests :

‘Fruity & delicious’

‘Nice fruity aftertaste’

‘Smooth well rounded wine’

‘Good drinking wine, well rounded, smooth and fruity’

Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Elderood 2012 (Cab Sav & Merlot blend)

Quick overview from the vineyard :

• Colour : Ruby red
• Bouquet : Aromas of strawberry and cherries with mocha and vanilla background nuances.
• Palate : soft and juicy wit ripe fruit and spicy vanilla flavours and soft tannins
• Food Suggestions : Excellent on its own or served with oxtail, casseroles, red meat, game, pizza and pasta dishes.

Our overall rating was 13 

As you know by now, I am a sweet girl and not a savoury kinda girl… so for my palate I found the Elderood to be a little dry and acidic. However, It had a nice smooth finish and I enjoyed the strawberry flavours that come through while you enjoy it.

General comments from my guests :

‘Not an easy drinking wine, quite acidic and an acquired taste’

‘prominent strawberry flavour comes through, however acidic for my palate’

‘A bit dry, but still smooth and enjoyable’

Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Info from the vineyard :

• Colour : Ruby red
• Bouquet : Aromas of blackcurrants and cherries with violets and nuances of vanilla oak spice in the background
• Palate : A rich and full-bodied wine with ripe fruit, cherry and delicate oak spice flavours, firm tannins and a lingering aftertaste.
• Food Suggestions : robust dishes – pates and streak, and full bodied dishes – winter stews, roasts, and mature cheeses

Our overall rating was 16 

Now first off I must say, I am yet to find a Cab Sauv I enjoy, they are all a little too dry, sharp and acidic for me. The Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was no different. However, the aftertaste that lingered was really nice and I enjoyed the subtle violet taste. Anyway, clearly it is just my palate as everyone else rated it highly and it was the 2nd highest ranking wine (obviously not including the dessert wines).

General comments from my guests :

‘Great strong spicy flavour and pairs perfectly with game meat’

‘very nice. full bodied wine with a lovely taste’

‘A little dry but delicious hints of Turisk delight come through while drinking’

‘Good Cab Sauv, that is full bodied and well rounded’

Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Merlot 2013

Information from the vineyard :

• Colour : Dark ruby red
• Bouquet : aromas of dark cherries and blackcurrant with subtle vanilla oak in the background
• Palate : A powerful and well-rounded with with attractive up-front fruit flavours and a soft silky texture
• Food Suggestions : oxtail, casseroles, red meat, game, pizza and pasta dishes.

Our overall rating was 14 

A merlot is my husband’s favourite varietal of wine…so I have had many different ones and can honestly say that the Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Merlot is one of the better ones. It was well rounded and had a lovely fragrance and aftertaste, however, it is sharp and acidic. It pairs really well with heart red meat dishes, like the Kudu stew we had.

General comments from my guests :

‘An acidic wine with good flavour’

‘Acidic but great flavour and enjoy the subtle vanilla oak’

‘Delicious well rounded wine’

‘Pleasant fragrance and aftertaste. It is acidic but enjoyable’

Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Shiraz 2013

Below is a quick overview from the vineyard :

• Colour : Dark Ruby
• Bouquet : Aromas of prunes and cherries, oak spice and a hint of dark chocolate
• Palate : A rich full-bodied wine with ripe plum, prune and dark chocolate flavours and a good tannin structure
• Food Suggestions : Excellent served on its own or with Mediterranean meat dishes, such as spicy lamb, souvlaki or kebabs, as well as traditional roasts, oxtail and braaied steak

Our overall rating was 15

A Shiraz is one of my favourite varietals of wine, I love the spiciness of it…I also love the sound of the name…I am weird like that! hehe! Having said all that, it needs to be smooth and spicy…the smoothness is very important to my palate. And I was not disappointed by the Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Shiraz, as I found it be full bodied with smooth tannins and an acidic aftertaste. Yum!

We also paired the Shiraz with a homemade Camembert, Prosciutto and cranberry pizza…it seems strange but it works so well. The flavour combinations in the pizza and wine just work so well together. I can highly recommend you give it a try!

General comments from my guests :

‘A full bodied, smooth and delicious red wine with a slight acidic aftertaste’

‘A good heavy, spicy red wine’

‘A very smooth red wine, with a bit of an acidic aftertaste to it’

‘A full bodied red wine with a strong aftertaste’

Overall we really enjoyed the Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve red wines and would definitely recommend that you try your favourite varietal, whatever it might be. In my next blog, I will delve into the sweeter side of life – the dessert wines. Which I can say were amazing and my favourite of the entire tasting (but again I am a sweet girl)!

 

For more information on Nederburg’s Vineyards & Wines, visit their website: nederburg.com