Waterford Estate The Jem 2017 is the estate’s flagship red wine and represents its pursuit of a distinctly South African fine-wine blend. Rather than following a conventional Bordeaux or Rhône formula, The Jem brings together eight grape varieties, led by Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, to capture the diversity of Waterford’s vineyards on the Helderberg in Stellenbosch.
The 2017 growing season was the third consecutive drought year in the Western Cape. Smaller berries and lower yields contributed exceptional concentration, while the Cabernet Sauvignon retained structure, refined tannins and vibrant acidity. Each variety was vinified separately before the final blend was assembled approximately six months after fermentation and matured together for a total of 20 months, allowing the individual components to integrate.
The result is a powerful yet sophisticated wine, combining concentrated dark fruit with fynbos, florals, spice and polished tannins. With 97 points from Tim Atkin MW, the 2017 ranks among the finest vintages of The Jem released to date.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep ruby-red with a dark, youthful core.
Nose: Complex and expressive, opening with cassis, blackberry, plum and red cherry. These fruit notes are layered with crushed violets, indigenous fynbos, vanilla oak and clove, together with subtle savoury and earthy nuances.
Palate: Generous yet beautifully controlled. Cabernet Sauvignon provides the structural backbone, with concentrated dark and red fruits framed by velvety tannins and vibrant natural acidity. Shiraz adds depth and spice, while the smaller blending components contribute perfume, savoury complexity and texture.
Finish: Long, elegant and mineral-driven, with lingering black fruit, red cherry, spice and fine-grained tannins. The balance between concentration and freshness points towards considerable ageing potential
Awards & Accolades
The 2017 vintage has received significant critical recognition:
97 Points – Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Special Report 2024
4.5 Stars – Platter's Wine Guide 2025
Tim Atkin placed the wine among the top 16 wines tasted in his 2024 South Africa Special Report, from more than 2,200 wines assessed.
Technical Details
Producer: Waterford Estate
Wine: The Jem
Vintage: 2017
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Mark le Roux
Style: Dry red blend
Bottle Size: 750ml
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 13,5% ABV
Residual Sugar: 1.5 g/L
Total Acidity: 5.18 g/L
pH: 3.6
Maturation: Final blend matured for approximately 20 months
Oak: Wood matured
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
Please note, you will be required to sign upon delivery, and the drivers may request a form of identification.
If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations: If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.
Subscription Terms & Conditions:
By purchasing a Subscription, you agree to recurring automatic payments based on your selected delivery frequency (monthly, every 2 months or every 3 months etc).
Your subscription will automatically renew and your payment method will be charged on the same calendar day as your original purchase until your subscription is cancelled.
Minimum Commitment: Subscription pricing includes a discounted rate and therefore requires a minimum commitment of two (2) deliveries. Cancellation requests will only be accepted after your second subscription box has been successfully delivered.
Cancellation requests must be submitted before your next billing date. If your payment has already been processed, that month's subscription will still be fulfilled and dispatched.
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