2019 Rustenberg John X Merriman Red Blend Simonsberg South Africa

2019 Rustenberg John X Merriman Red Blend Simonsberg South Africa

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedSouth Africa

RUSTENBERG 

JOHN X MERRIMAN 
RED BLEND 2019
SIMONSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA

2019 Rustenberg John X Merriman Red Blend Simonsberg South Africa

In the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, the historic Rustenberg Estate has a rich history dating back to the late 17th century. The Estate has consistently maintained its reputation for producing high-quality wines from the 600 million-year-old soils of the Stellenbosch Mountains. This ancient terroir imparts captivating mineral hints attributed to the decomposed granite soils and achieves exceptional quality when crafted with precision.

The John X Merriman Red gets its name from the Estate’s former owner, who played a prominent role in revitalizing the area and promoting the tourism and agricultural value of Stellenbosch. 

The wine is a Bordeaux-styled blend based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and in the 2019 vintage, is accentuated with Malbec and Petit Verdot from a small yield that is aging wonderfully.

RUSTENBERG 
JOHN X MERRIMAN 
RED BLEND 2019
SIMONSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA

Your Price: $29.99

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“Dark cherries, plums, chocolate, grilled herbs and cigar box on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, creamy tannins. Succulent, fruity and delicious with lingering chocolate notes. Merlot, cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot. Sustainable. Drink or hold.”

92 Points

2014 Rustenberg John X Merriman Bordeaux Blend South Africa

2014 Rustenberg John X Merriman Bordeaux Blend South Africa

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtProprietary RedSouth Africa

RUSTENBERG 

2014 JOHN X MERRIMAN 
BORDEAUX BLEND
SIMONSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA

2014 Rustenberg John X Merriman Bordeaux Blend South Africa

 
There are many reasons why South Africa has some of the most unique terroirs anywhere in the world. The iconic Stellenbosch Mountains have soils that are approximately 600 million years old, which is more than three times older than the soils in Napa Valley. The wines of Stellenbosch can often show interesting mineral notes from the decomposed granite soils, and when done right, they can be extraordinary. I’ve been searching for the right South African wine to bring into the shop, and we recently found it in Rustenberg’s 2014 John X Merriman Bordeaux Blend, Simonsberg. At $28, this is a stunning bottle of wine.   
 
Rustenberg was founded in 1682, and the wine team makes its flagship John X Merriman Bordeaux styled blend in honor of a former owner who played a vital role in revitalizing the Estate. The blend is always predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and in 2014 it encompasses all of Bordeaux’s top 5 grapes. 
 
The Estate vines climb the red slopes of Simonsberg, and the winery monitors each block independently for acid/pH levels, natural sugars and flavors, before vinifying the blocks separately. The final blend is a stunning representation of the Estate, and at $28, don’t miss getting this delightful wine. 
 
RUSTENBERG 
2014 JOHN X MERRIMAN 
BORDEAUX BLEND
SIMONSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA
Retails at: $30
 
Your Price: $28
 
 
“The 2014 John X Merriman is the spiciest vintage to date according to Murray Barlow, due to the cooler growing season that did not go past 30 degrees Celsius during the season. Matured in 35% new oak for 20 months, that spice-box element does percolate through the red berry fruit on the nose, touches of bay leaf and melted tar emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannin on the entry, a fine seam of acidity, grippy and quite assertive at first, but calmer towards the finish with that long spicy/pepper tail on the aftertaste. Give this 2-3 years in bottle. This is discretely classy even if it is just missing that “X” factor.” 90 Points