Engelbrecht Els Vineyards GUARDIAN PEAK Shiraz Stellenbosch RSA

Guardian Peak wines, made by the renowned team at Ernie Els Wines, seek to combine traditional body and structure with 'New World' exuberance. Proprietor and visionary behind the Guardian Peak range of wines, Jean Engelbrecht set out to create a range of quality wines to quench the searching palates of the new wine-drinking generation. Jean's vision incorporated cultivating the vineyards on the Engelbrecht-family farms in Namaqualand, and producing flavourful wines that reflect the potential and characteristics of the terroir. Louis Strydom is the wine maker and he crafts the wines in a new world style that are accessible and approachable at an early age. This terroir driven wine is selected from vineyards ranging from Mediterranean climates in Stellenbosch to more temperate coastal regions. As a result of this drip irrigation is used in drier areas to optimally control vineyard produce. To enhance the flavours of this Merlot it is blended with young wine to enhance the fresh fruit flavours that are very evident in this stylish red. This Merlot is then aged for 6 months in second and third fill 225L American and French oak barrels before release. A bright, ruby-red coloured wine it has inviting aromas of red berries, ripe fruits, and violets, developing into spices and green peppers on the nose as the wine opens up. Excellent follow-through of supple berry flavours arriving on the palate, with good ripe tannins to ensure presence in this young wine. At first, flavours of light chocolate can be found, but as the wine breathes teasing hints of stewed fruits especially peach and apricots appear. 100% Merlot it has good weight on the mid-palate and a delicious finish. (12 x 75 cl)

Guardian Peak wines, made by the renowned team at Ernie Els Wines, seek to combine traditional body and structure with 'New World' exuberance. Proprietor and visionary behind the Guardian Peak range of wines, Jean Engelbrecht set out to create a range of quality wines to quench the searching palates of the new wine-drinking generation. Jean's vision incorporated cultivating the vineyards on the Engelbrecht-family farms in Namaqualand, and producing flavourful wines that reflect the potential and characteristics of the terroir. Louis Strydom is the wine maker and he crafts the wines in a new world style that are accessible and approachable at an early age. This terroir driven wine is selected from vineyards ranging from Mediterranean climates in Stellenbosch to more temperate coastal regions. As a result of this drip irrigation is used in drier areas to optimally control vineyard produce. This elegant wine brings the winemakers passion for blending to the fore. The three varietals each contribute unique flavours and character to the wine to make this a wonderful drinking experience, as this wine undergoes 10 months French and American oak maturation. Unusually, it is vinified separately for eight months, followed by two months of blending prior to bottling. This has produced a dark plum coloured wine with emerging floral aromas. As the wine opens up, these are subtlely replaced by ripe blackcurrant and other blackberry aromas. The bouquet also reveals pleasant spicy oak aromas and hints of mocha. Intense follow-through of blackberry flavours from the bouquet, the delicious fruit flavours enchant the mid-palate. Firm tannin structure suggests this full-bodied wine would be at its best when paired with food. The wine has a spicy oak finish accompanying each mouthful. (12 x 75 cl)

Guardian Peak wines, made by the renowned team at Ernie Els Wines, seek to combine traditional body and structure with 'New World' exuberance. Proprietor and visionary behind the Guardian Peak range of wines, Jean Engelbrecht set out to create a range of quality wines to quench the searching palates of the new wine-drinking generation. Jean's vision incorporated cultivating the vineyards on the Engelbrecht-family farms in Namaqualand, and producing flavourful wines that reflect the potential and characteristics of the terroir. Louis Strydom is the wine maker and he crafts the wines in a new world style that are accessible and approachable at an early age. This terroir driven wine is selected from vineyards ranging from Mediterranean climates in Stellenbosch to more temperate coastal regions. As a result of this drip irrigation is used in drier areas to optimally control vineyard produce. SMG stands for the three grapes used in this blended wine, Shiraz, Mourvedre and Grenache. The grapes were vinified separately, fermentation took place in open top fermentors and was followed by a maceration period of 14 days after primary fermentation. The Syrah and Mourvèdre were then matured separately in 100% new French and American oak for 18 months. The Grenache is unoaked to preserve its natural fruit character, finally, malolactic fermentation took place in the barrels. An inky black coloured wine with distinct savoury aromas on the initial impression that develop into rich chocolate and coffee flavours that finishes off with the fruit component of plum and blackcurrants. Pleasing black fruit flavours follow-through from the bouquet dominating the palate. These are gently supported by an array of savoury flavours, notes of vanilla and spices from the shiraz. Full bodied and powerful, beautifully layered this is a complex wine, with a full mouth-feel, integrated tannin structure and a lingering finish. (6 x 75 cl)

While men may dream different dreams, they are driven by the same quest: to reach for, and to accomplish perfection. No two pursuits bare the truth of this more than the perfect round of golf and the perfect bottle of wine. So when Ernie and good friend Jean Engelbrecht discussed the possibility to produce a wine together, the marriage of their ideas on winemaking styles and ideas quickly transformed into a strategy based on quality and excellence, no matter what. Jean and Ernie established Engelbrecht Els Vineyards in 1999, and finally opened their dream cellar on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch in December 2004. When the friendship and expertise of their respective professions came together, Jean and Ernie set out to create an extraordinary wine. This red wine was created to celebrate the distinct palates of Ernie Els and Jean Engelbrecht as well as to crown their new venture. It was released at the opening of the Ernie Els Winery on December 15, 2004. The Engelbrecht Els vineyards are located high up on the northern slopes of the Helderberg Mountain. This imparts warmer fruit flavours to the wine, because in the summer, the vineyards' close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean result in cool sea breezes that keep temperatures lower, extending the ripening period. The different clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot are kept separate throughout vinification. Half of the wines were vinified in 300 litre French oak barrels for 12 months, where the remainder is unoaked. It will undergo bottle maturation for a further 12 months underground before release. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 55%, Shiraz 21%, Merlot 4%, Petit Verdot 9%, Cabernet Franc 2% and Malbec 9% this Brick red coloured wine has an austere, cedar and pencil shavings bouquet with spicey undertones from the Shiraz component. As the wine opens up wildflower aromas can be found. Black fruit flavours are prevalent on the palate, while a delightful richness likened to Christmas cake is evident. Soft Shiraz flavours can be found on the mid-palate, with hints of farmyard, it also has great intensity experienced on the front and mid-palates. Finally the soft tannins give way to considerable length on the finish for this unique blend of six varietals. (6 x 75 cl)

When the friendship and expertise of their respective professions came together, Jean and Ernie set out to create an extraordinary wine. The Ernie Els wine is a classic Bordeaux blend comprising of five varietals (6 x 75 cl)

Only specialising in the production of red wine, Rust en Vrede has established itself as one of South Africa's premium red wine estates. Full-bodied and complex, Rust en Vrede's wines reflect the uniqueness of the Stellenbosch terroir and is proud to be part of a remarkable three hundred year old wine tradition. Rust en Vrede is vineyards are located in ideal terroir high up on the Helderberg Mountain which is vital to imparting deep warm flavours to the wines. North facing and slightly warmer than most vineyards, its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean keeps the temperatures low and extends the ripening period of the grapes. Following berry-selection, the Cabernet Sauvignon , Shiraz and Merlot clones are separately vinified. Left to mature in French and American oak barrels for 18 months, the wines are blended and bottled. After a further 18 months of bottle-maturation the Rust en Vrede wines are released. This is an inky black coloured blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Shiraz and 9% Merlot. The Floral bouquet is also showing cassis, plums, prunes and black berries while there is a Chocolate mocha flavour undertone. Huge structure and generous ripe fruit flavours complement the good acidity / fruit / wood balance while the mouth coating silky tannins culminate in a long lingering aftertaste. (6 x 75 cl)

Specialising in the production of red wine only, Rust en Vrede has established itself as one of South Africa's premium red wine estates. Full-bodied and complex, Rust en Vrede's wines reflect the uniqueness of the Stellenbosch terroir. Rust en Vrede is proud to be part of a remarkable three hundred year old wine tradition and continues to pursue the excellence synonymous with wines produced by Stellenbosch's private estates. Protected terroir high up on the Helderberg Mountain is vital to imparting deep warm flavours to the wines. North facing and slightly warmer, the vineyard's close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean is what keep the temperatures low and extend the ripening period of the grapes. Harvested at 24ºc, the Shiraz ferments in open tank fermentors and pumped over five times per day. Each Shiraz clone sees a unique treatment of yeast and wood. Matured fifty percent in new American oak and the rest in second fill oak for 18 months, the wine receives bottle-maturation for a further twenty months before release. A Deep mulberry red coloured wine with aromas of dark plum, cherry, leather and smoked bacon are infused with subtle oak. The incredible fusion of pepper, spice, cherry on the palate with floral and Eucalyptus notes has produced a wine with a long, clean elegant finish. (6 x 75 cl)

Known initially as Rustenberg and later Alphen, this vineyard at one time belonged to the Baimsfather-Cloete family who produced the famous Constantia wines. In 1981 the estate was acquired by Hans-Joachim Schreiber who renamed it Stellenzicht or in its literal translation 'View of Stellen' . The Golden Triangle Shiraz is barrel-matured in French and American oak. Intense, rich ruby hues with a distinct, youthful purple tinge dominate the colour while there is a rich complexity of aromas on the nose -including mocha and dark chocolate combined with the spicy sweetness of ripe plums and roasted almonds. On the palate, the wine is full and succulent with firm, yet soft tannins as the ripeness of fruit results in the mouth-filling experience of true Shiraz. Planted between 1989 and 1991, the vineyards bearing the grapes used to craft this wine are grown on slopes facing west and north-west and on soils originating from decomposed granite and Table Mountain sandstone. The yield from the vineyard was restricted to an average of 4.9 Tonnes per hectare to further enhance the quality of the fruit.. All of the grapes for this wine were harvested by hand, after destalking and crushing, the mash was fermented in stainless steel tanks with selected, pure yeast cultures with the juice being removed from the skins after five days. Once the fermentation was complete, the wine was drained off the primary lees and transferred to a 'resting' tank. Malolactic fermentation and a brief settling period preceded the transfer of the wine to a combination of 66% new Oak barrels and 34% third-fill Oak barrels (12 x 75 cl)

Waterford KEVIN ARNOLD Shiraz Stellenbosch RSA from South Africa, Stellenbosch by Waterford Wine Estate Stellenbosch (12 x 75 cl)