Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art, Decorative Arts and Wine
Online-Only Auction, 16 - 23 November 2020
Wine
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
The GS 1966 Cabernet is shrouded in mystery and remains South Africa’s rarest wine. The GS Cabernet was an experiment by George Spies, then winemaker at Monis, in 1966 and 1968. His aim was to produce a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that had the ability to age, which was not common at the time. There is a mystery surrounding the winemaking, reportedly sourced from Durbanville. The bottles were given away by Spies, reportedly very tannic and rustic in its youth. As the wine matured, rare bottles become recognised by pundits such as Michael Fridjhon and James Molesworth of Wine Spectator. Today, there can’t be more than a 2 dozen pristine bottles in existence.
Apparently produced as an experiment by George Spies, then winemaker at Monis, his aim was to produce a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that had the ability to age. The grapes were reportedly sourced from Durbanville and it was tannic in its youth and not commercially released. As the wine matured, rare bottles become recognised by pundits such as Michael Fridjhon and James Molesworth of Wine Spectator. Today, there can’t be more than a dozen pristine bottles in existence.
These rare bottles are some of the last known bottles in existence. This wine has been checked and re-corked by Amorim cork under supervision of auction curator Higgo Jacobs, assuring providence, quality and long life.
Critics Ratings
'A truly iconic wine in South African wine history kindly brought to a lunch at Test Kitchen by Roland Peens of retailer Wine Cellar. Absolutely stunning – such a beautiful combination of maturity and delicacy – but with far more fruit integrity than most 1966 red Bordeaux would have now. Perhaps it was hard work in its youth but I imagine it will be at least a few months before I taste a mature Cabernet as good as this. Apparently, it was once compared with Ch Margaux 1966 and knocked spots off it, but Palmer would probably have put up more of a fight. Lightly minty, fragrant and it spread right across the palate with satin texture. Gorgeous. The only other known vintage was 1968, I was told.’ – Jancis Robinson 2011, 20/20
Provenance
Private Client
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