Nederburg Baronne comes into its own

The Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend, launched in 1973, is such a fixture of South African wine that for some, the name has come to signify red wine itself. "For many people, it is synonymous with wine, so we thought the time had come to give this smooth red blend a Nederburg pedestal of its own," says cellar master Razvan Macici.

After almost 40 years, the blend has never changed. Nor has it lost its ability to bring people together, which might otherwise be divided by decades, culture, language or experience, says Macici.

"Its classical, almost universal appeal of succulent red fruit flavours, matched by slight peppery, smoky characters, makes it a very versatile wine that goes extremely well with burgers, ribs, hearty pastas and even Sunday roasts. Smooth, suave and self-assured, it can also very much hold its own at Christmas, on birthdays, at graduations and other rites of passage."

Nederburg Baronne retails for around R45 a 750ml bottle.