Waterford Estate The Jem 2020

Name: Waterford Estate The Jem 2020
Brand: The Jem
SKU: 52921

Date tasted: May 2025

The nose is bold and expressive, with concentrated dark fruit, vanilla oak, and clove spice, supported by layers of herbaceous fynbos and a subtle savoury nuance that adds depth and complexity. The palate is luxurious and finely textured, unfolding with evolving fruit character that highlights the Cabernet Sauvignon core. Concentrated fruit from the vineyard shines through, bringing richness without overwhelming the wine’s innate balance. The blend is seamless and harmonious, reflecting a quiet confidence and understated power that promises longevity in the bottle. The finish is both mineral and fruit-forward, with a velvety texture that draws you effortlessly to the next sip.

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variety : Cabernet Sauvignon [ 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Shiraz, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet franc, 6% Merlot, 5% Sangiovese, 4% Mourvedre, 3% Barbera ]

winery : Waterford Estate

winemaker : Mark Le Roux

wine of origin : Stellenbosch

analysis : alc : 13.5 % vol rs : 1.5 g/l pH : 3.6 ta : 5.18 g/l

type : Red style : Dry body : Medium taste : Herbaceous wooded

pack : Bottle size : 750ml closure : Cork

ageing : EVOLUTION AFTER 10 YEARS

This wine displays consistency in terms of its colour and expression, but with subtle evolutionary notes of Cuban cigars and spiced cedar, mulberry and damson fruit lead to further exploration of the clove and pepper spice. The wine remains youthful and poised on the palate with elegant silky tannins further lengthening the finish.

EVOLUTION AFTER 15 YEARS

Chocolate and liquorice, with a hint of incense, and forest floor. Cherry, leather and blackberries are constant with wonderful clove and Indonesian spices. The wine remains generous and youthful showcasing depth and complexity with each passing year. The balance of the wine is on show here as the integration of the tannins seamlessly complements the still youthful acidity.

Ageing potential 5 - 25 years from production

At Waterford Estate, we embrace the harmonious collaboration between nature and the delicate balance of artistry and science to create truly authentic Fine Wines. Our wines embody a profound sense of place, culture, and an unwavering dedication to excellence. With a deep-rooted belief in transcending boundaries, we craft wines that offer a sensory journey, capturing the true essence of the Helderberg Mountain’s terroir.

in the vineyard : The rich diversity of soils across the expansive 120-hectare farm has provided Waterford Estate with an exceptional opportunity to cultivate 11
distinct red varietals that are well-suited to our diverse terroir. Embracing the influence of Italian, French, and Spanish varietals, we have carefully planted these cultivars to showcase the unique character of these influential varietals.

about the harvest: The 2020 vintage saw a further drop in temperature as the rainfall continues to return to normal levels. This vintage’s conditions are reminiscent of that of 2014, with decent rainfall across the Winelands giving the vines the opportunity to grow a healthy crop size while the cooler temperatures allowed for a long hang time for the grapes leading to fully ripened phenolics and tannins. This vintage is known for great structure and elegance with the ability to age gracefully for many years.

in the cellar : All the components are vinified as individual batches. About 6 months after fermentation, the blend is made up and aged as a blend for 20 months in total with two rackings in between, the early blending gives the blend the most time to integrate and produce a coherent wine. This careful approach ensures a perfectly balanced and harmonious final product.

Maturation: Aged in 225L and 300L French oak barrels, 19% new oak.

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