Waterford The Jem 2014
By Christian Eedes, 17 July 2019
-
Share:
4
When I last tasted the 2012 vintage of deluxe offering The Jem from Waterford in Stellenbosch, it was in the context of the Wine Cellar’s “Luxury Red Taste-off” held in April last year where I had the wine fourth out of 10 with a score of 92 on the 100-point quality scale.
Object of desire.
The 2014 vintage was recently released, this consisting of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Shiraz, 14% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Mourvedre, 3% Sangiovese and 2% Barbera, maturation lasting 19 months in 225-litre French oak barrels, 32% new (alcohol: 14.6%). Wine Cellar price: R1 650 a bottle.
The nose shows top notes of floral perfume and leafiness before red and black fruit plus toasty oak and some spice while the palate is full bodied yet balanced – dense fruit and firm tannins, the finish super-dry. It’s as unshowy and carefully crafted as ever and deserves a place in the more well-heeled collector’s cellar.
Editor’s rating: 91/100.
Find our South African wine ratings database here.
-
Share:
Related articles
Reviews
Waterford The Jem 2016
25 August 2023
The 2015 vintage of Stellenbosch property Waterford’s pinnacle red blend was hugely convincing, with it receiving a rating of 96 when I tasted it sighted in March 2021 and then...
4
Reviews
Waterford Antigo 2019
2 May 2022
Antigo 2019 is a new Cape Bordeaux Red Blend from Waterford in Stellenbosch. Consisting of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec, it’s set to sell...
Reviews
Waterford The Jem 2017
7 April 2022
While I described the 2015 vintage of the pinnacle red blend that is The Jem from Stellenbosch property Waterford as a “triumph”, I’m inclined to think that the 2017, due...
Athena | 1 July 2020
Sorry what would the 2020 price be
Christian Eedes | 2 July 2020
Hi Athena, The wine currently sells for R1950 a bottle.
Billabong | 20 July 2019
A 91 point wine, costing R1650 a bottle, will find it difficult to get into any discerning wine lovers cellar.
Christian Eedes | 20 July 2019
Hi Billabong, While The Jem 2014 is by no means a “perfect” wine, it’s worthy of contemplation given that it’s the product of a particular property setting out to define its own aesthetic as opposed to being dictated to by the market. Put differently, a welcome relief from yet another 60:40 Cab-Merlot…