2007 Rustenberg John X Merriman

Wine Spectator
"88 pts ... Dark and toasty, offering currant, fig and boysenberry fruit flavors all laced with a pronounced green olive note, with a twangy iron hint weaving through the finish. A touch rustic in the end, but will have some fans for sure."--12/10

Winemaker's Notes
"This stunning Bordeaux blend is one of South Africa’s most iconic bottlings. It’s named for the Prime Minister of the Cape who purchased and revitalized part of the historical Rustenberg estate in the late 1800s. It delivers intense, smoky flavors of tobacco, cherry, licorice, and plum intertwined with complex notes of mineral and spice."

Technical Notes
"48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec. 24 Vineyard blocks were vinified separately. � 9 Aerative pump-overs were employed. 2 or 3 rack and returns during primary fermentation at approximately 26�C to ensure maximum extraction after extended maceration on skins. The wine was drained and gravity-filled to barrels for Malolactic fermentation. The separate batches were blended after 9 months and returned to barrel for further 12 months maturation. Made by Randolph Christians. 14.5% alc."