If you want a South African Cabernet that does the heavy lifting without asking for much in return, this is the bottle. Nederburg has been making wine since 1791, they've had a few centuries to work out what people actually want to drink on a Tuesday night, and the 5600 is the proof.
In the glass it's deep ruby, leaning toward purple at the rim. The nose is classic Cape Cabernet: blackcurrant front and centre, ripe plum behind it, with a curl of pencil shaving and warm baking spice. The palate follows through generously, dark berry fruit, a savoury edge that keeps things interesting, and tannins that have been smoothed out rather than left to scrape. Medium to full-bodied, with enough freshness to stop it feeling heavy.
The grapes come from some of the Cape's best Cabernet country, Stellenbosch, Wellington, the Coastal region and Groenekloof, where granite and shale soils give the fruit natural acidity and real depth of colour. It's classically styled, food-friendly winemaking with no rough edges.
Pour it with a Sunday roast, a charred ribeye, or anything off the barbecue when summer finally turns up. Pinotage-style braai food, boerewors, lamb chops, sticky ribs, is exactly where this wine wants to be. A reliable house red for under £15, delivered to your door anywhere in the UK.
