Waterford Estate The Jem 2017

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