Rustenberg remonte au début de la colonisation par les Hollandais dans la région du Cap en Afrique du Sud. On produit du vin depuis 1892 sans interruption. La cuvée John X Merriman porte le nom d’un ancien propriétaire qui devint premier ministre de la colonie du Cap. C’est un assemblage bordelais, médocain avec une prédominance de cabernet sauvignon, en 2021. Les cépages varient d’une année à l’autre, il y avait du Cabernet Franc et beaucoup de Merlot il y a quelques années. Il a passé 20 mois sous fût de chêne français. Le 2021 est encore jeune avec une belle robe rubis. Le nez est franc avec des effluves de fruits rouges, framboise et de fruits noirs, cassis. La bouche est tout à fait agréable, les tanins sont souples. Le corps est moyen. La finale est longue sur des saveurs de chocolat et de prune et un soupçon d’épices. Il fait partie des 1001 vins qu'il faut avoir goûtés. — 12 days ago
Presented double-blind. The wine pours a light straw color with medium viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is developing with tart and ripe notes of apple, pear, underripe pineapple, lemon curd, nuts and minerals. I felt like there was some deft use of oak. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+, bordering on high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and chocked full of minerals. My immediate impression was Bourgogne Blanc and I was having a hard time getting away from it. So I called Chardonnay, from France, Burgundy, Chassagne-Montrachet with 3-5 years of age. Gosh dammit! Margaret River strikes again!!! Blind, I always seem to call these Chablis or some other high quality white Burg. And I adore the Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnays. They always impress me. Drink now through 2036. — 4 days ago
2021
Excellent - well rounded, full — a month ago
Medium deep , ruby centre and ruby rim . Dark blackberry , spicy tobacco , earthy currants , coffee . On the palate quite dark fruit focused , blackcurrant , blackberry , dark cherry . With time in the glass this seems to show a bit more of the earthy , tobacco notes also present on the nose. Quite high fresh acidity , slightly gritty tannins , quite good tobacco tinged finish . This is showing well now but will age well for a further decade — a month ago
Like the BBQ chilled red in the Hamptons — a month ago
Buonissimo — a month ago
David White
Bordeaux blend: 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Dark ruby with nice mulberry and vanilla notes, soft integrated tannins the Merlot. & Cab Franc soften the whole experience giving the wine great balance and finesse.
Good length and finish
Last tried 2020 and still have several its maturing well and be interesting to taste again in say 2 and another 5 years — 6 days ago