The Waterford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a classic expression of premium Stellenbosch Cabernet, produced exclusively from estate-grown fruit on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain. Cabernet Sauvignon is central to Waterford Estate, accounting for approximately 40% of the vineyards and forming the backbone of the estate's flagship wine, The Jem.
The 2019 vintage benefited from a cooler growing season, allowing the grapes to develop concentration while retaining excellent natural acidity and freshness. Waterford's Cabernet vineyards are planted on north-facing slopes at approximately 330 metres above sea level, where loamy gravel and granite-rich soils combine with cooling afternoon ocean breezes to create the estate's distinctive mineral character.
Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine brings together fruit from eight different Cabernet clones planted across varying microclimates on the estate. The result is an elegant, structured and unmistakably Helderberg Cabernet with considerable ageing potential.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep ruby red with a concentrated crimson core.
Nose: Classic Cabernet aromatics of blackcurrant and cassis lead the way, accompanied by fresh fynbos and subtle herbal notes. Hints of graphite, crushed stone and fine oak add complexity and reflect the mineral character of the Helderberg vineyards.
Palate: Elegant and concentrated, with layers of ripe blackcurrant and dark berry fruit framed by bright natural acidity. Silky yet firm tannins provide excellent structure, while subtle herbal notes and a distinctive graphite-like minerality bring freshness and sophistication.
Finish: Long, structured and fruit-driven, with lingering cassis, fine tannins and a cool mineral edge. The balance between fruit, acidity and tannin suggests excellent development in the cellar.
Awards & Accolades
The 2019 vintage has received excellent critical recognition, making this worth highlighting prominently on the product listing:
Gold Medal – The Global Cabernet Sauvignon Masters 2025
93 Points – Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Special Report 2024
4.5 Stars – Platter's Wine Guide 2024
The Global Cabernet Sauvignon Masters is judged by a panel including Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and senior wine buyers, making the Gold Medal particularly noteworthy for this vintage.
Food Pairing
An excellent partner for grilled ribeye, roast beef, lamb, venison and slow-braised meat dishes. Its dark fruit and fine tannin structure also work beautifully with mature hard cheeses and earthy mushroom dishes.
Technical Details
Producer: Waterford Estate
Vintage: 2019
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyards: Estate-grown Helderberg fruit
Vineyard Altitude: Approximately 330m above sea level
Soils: Loamy gravel / granite-influenced soils
Maturation: Approximately 21 months in 300L French oak barrels
Alcohol: 12,8% ABV
Residual Sugar: 1.34 g/L
Total Acidity: 5.0 g/L
Bottle Size: 750ml
Closure: Cork
Cellaring Potential: Up to approximately 20 years from vintage
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.
Subscription payments are non-refundable once they have been successfully processed, except where required by applicable South African consumer protection laws.
In the event that a product becomes unavailable, Mothercity Liquor reserves the right to substitute it with a product of equal or greater value.
Customers must be 18 years or older to purchase or receive alcoholic products.
