Rustenberg
John X Merriman Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Vintage 2010 | Impressive wine with attractive smell: hints of chocolate, cassis, morellocherries, cinnamon, plums, hint of stable. Balanced taste with power. Fascinating good p/q. The producer says 8 to 10 years lifetime, but in my humble opinion this wine lasts longer. | Paired with a chili con carne from vennison. Need to find more bottles for the cellar.
Vintage 2010 | Impressive wine with attractive smell: hints of chocolate, cassis, morellocherries, cinnamon, plums, hint of stable. Balanced taste with power. Fascinating good p/q. The producer says 8 to 10 years lifetime, but in my humble opinion this wine lasts longer. | Paired with a chili con carne from vennison. Need to find more bottles for the cellar.
Dec 23rd, 2020
The red fruits shine. They are bright, fresh with nice florals. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries and poached strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, tobacco with ash, dark rich soils, berry cola, steeped fruit tea, red fruit liqueur notes with fresh & withering dark & red florals.
The body is full with powdery, dusty, meaty, tarry and sticky tannins. The fruits are ripe, delicious and easy to drink now but, will benefit from 6-8 more years in bottle. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries and poached strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, dark spice with a little heat, tobacco with ash, dark rich soils, berry cola, steeped fruit tea, red fruit liqueur notes with fresh & withering dark & red florals. The acidity is round and beautiful. The long finish is ripe, juicy, well balanced, delicious and persist nicely.
Photos of; Rustenberg’s hillside vines, our tasting lounge, fermentation cellar with hanging stainless tanks so they can work the process with gravity, and Rustenberg’s Cellar Door and grounds.
The red fruits shine. They are bright, fresh with nice florals. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries and poached strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, tobacco with ash, dark rich soils, berry cola, steeped fruit tea, red fruit liqueur notes with fresh & withering dark & red florals.
The body is full with powdery, dusty, meaty, tarry and sticky tannins. The fruits are ripe, delicious and easy to drink now but, will benefit from 6-8 more years in bottle. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries and poached strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, dark spice with a little heat, tobacco with ash, dark rich soils, berry cola, steeped fruit tea, red fruit liqueur notes with fresh & withering dark & red florals. The acidity is round and beautiful. The long finish is ripe, juicy, well balanced, delicious and persist nicely.
Photos of; Rustenberg’s hillside vines, our tasting lounge, fermentation cellar with hanging stainless tanks so they can work the process with gravity, and Rustenberg’s Cellar Door and grounds.
Cab-quest goes on! And this is so good it made this goth heart grin. Although realized this is 52% Merlot whoops. And after that Cab S plus small shares of Malbec, Cab f and petit Verdot (which I personally wanna see more single varietal iterations of). All things aside DAMN it gets the super specific term “yummy”. Red and black cassis, bits of blackberry, allspice and licorice and chocolate goodness! Silky as sin—deceptively easy to drink quickly so beware/enjoy...I’m enjoying but then I’m home alone. Has a lovely refreshing earthy note that keeps on keeping on...
Cab-quest goes on! And this is so good it made this goth heart grin. Although realized this is 52% Merlot whoops. And after that Cab S plus small shares of Malbec, Cab f and petit Verdot (which I personally wanna see more single varietal iterations of). All things aside DAMN it gets the super specific term “yummy”. Red and black cassis, bits of blackberry, allspice and licorice and chocolate goodness! Silky as sin—deceptively easy to drink quickly so beware/enjoy...I’m enjoying but then I’m home alone. Has a lovely refreshing earthy note that keeps on keeping on...
Sep 9th, 2018
From 375 ml bought at the Cellar Door 5 Years ago. Initially not showing a lot of Cabernet characteristics. 51% Cabernet Sauvignon; 35 % Merlot; 7% Cabernet Franc; and 3% Malbec. Some Cabernet mint Characters but not typical of some of the excellent Cabernets from Stellenbosch. One of the 1001 Wines.
From 375 ml bought at the Cellar Door 5 Years ago. Initially not showing a lot of Cabernet characteristics. 51% Cabernet Sauvignon; 35 % Merlot; 7% Cabernet Franc; and 3% Malbec. Some Cabernet mint Characters but not typical of some of the excellent Cabernets from Stellenbosch. One of the 1001 Wines.
Aug 5th, 2018
Third of the blinds.
Medium to deep mix of garnet and ruby red. Definitely showing it's age on the nose with bell peppers, tomato, chalk and some cinnamon with air. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) that are rounded and well integrated. Layered palate with red berries, gravel, cedar, cassis, herbaceous notes and eucalyptus. Seemed a touch younger on the palate. Medium bodied with a very dry and long finish. Drink till 2020.
Third of the blinds.
Medium to deep mix of garnet and ruby red. Definitely showing it's age on the nose with bell peppers, tomato, chalk and some cinnamon with air. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) that are rounded and well integrated. Layered palate with red berries, gravel, cedar, cassis, herbaceous notes and eucalyptus. Seemed a touch younger on the palate. Medium bodied with a very dry and long finish. Drink till 2020.
Don’t be fooled by the screw cap!!Beautiful dark garnet red and a nose that talks to dried fruit, leather and a deep herbaceous note. Wonderful on the pallet and a long finish that lends to cherry followed by fresh tobacco and lingers onto a concentrated finish. Drinks well now and should hold well into the future.
Don’t be fooled by the screw cap!!Beautiful dark garnet red and a nose that talks to dried fruit, leather and a deep herbaceous note. Wonderful on the pallet and a long finish that lends to cherry followed by fresh tobacco and lingers onto a concentrated finish. Drinks well now and should hold well into the future.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 13th, 2018
New world fruit with an old world palate: clean yet earthy, with plums, redcurrants, bramble and herbaceous tomato lead, dried violets, tar, rubber (but not overly so) and a dusty, peppery lift. 2011 vintage. Cask matured 20 months. Beautifully matched on nose and palate; sleekly robust.
New world fruit with an old world palate: clean yet earthy, with plums, redcurrants, bramble and herbaceous tomato lead, dried violets, tar, rubber (but not overly so) and a dusty, peppery lift. 2011 vintage. Cask matured 20 months. Beautifully matched on nose and palate; sleekly robust.
1 person found it helpfulJun 26th, 2015
A classical Claret from Stellenbosch, medium-weight with attractive tobacco leaf character complementing its just-ripe black currant. Harmonious blend of 49 Cab, 38 Merlot, 8 Franc, 3 Petit Verdot, 2 Malbec
A classical Claret from Stellenbosch, medium-weight with attractive tobacco leaf character complementing its just-ripe black currant. Harmonious blend of 49 Cab, 38 Merlot, 8 Franc, 3 Petit Verdot, 2 Malbec
Mar 6th, 2017