Rustenbergh John X Merriman 2019

Rustenberg John X Merriman 2019

Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot

Area: Stellenbosch

Abv: 14%

Rustenberg is globally recognised as one of the top 5 wineries in South Africa. This farm was started in 1941 on the slopes of the iconic Simonsberg. The tasting room is one of the grander with a long curving staircase leading downstairs into a beautiful cool wood-lined tasting room which gives you a clear indication of the standard of the wines produced.

John X Merriman is a great value wine if you are looking for a Claret alternative. Drink young it would definitely need to be decanted for a few hours, but as it ages it will develop more savoury on the palate and develop nicely. The grapes are hand-picked and destemmed before going into stainless steel for the initial fermentation and maceration for about a week. After this the wine is then transferred to a mixture of new and old oak for 20 months. That's a pretty long time for a South African wine at this price point. Previous vintages have received up to 93 points from well know wine writers. I loved it in 2001 when I first visited them and still love it now.