Engelbrecht Els Vineyards GUARDIAN PEAK FRONTIER 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. 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)

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)

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)

The second label of the Rust en Vrede Estate with part of the fruit coming from this source plus their other vineyards further north in the Oliphants River region., This Wine : ''Well balanced, with a mix of dark chocolate, cherries, plums and stewed fruit. This wine has a firm tannin structure and good length. Excellent follow-through of Cherry flavours on palate with strong hints of smoked ham and pepper. The wine has a long finish complimenting any cuisine.'' Soil : A diverse composition of soil and typography add complexity and an array of different characteristics to the wine. Vinification / Maturing : This wine is blended with young wine to enhance the fresh fruit flavours very evident in this wine. Aged for 6 months in 225L American oak barrels. (12 x 75 cl)

Eikendal Stellenbosch Merlot RSA from South Africa, Stellenbosch by Eikendal Vineyards Stellenbosch (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' . Winemaker Guy Webber has combined his expertise with Shiraz and his love of Pinotage to produce Rhapsody. A blend of 53% Pinotage and 47% Shiraz, it melds the outstanding characteristics of both these varietals to create a new wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. This wine is an intense, rich ruby colour with a distinct, youthful purple tinge. A rich complexity of aromas including mocha and dark chocolate combine with the spicy sweetness of ripe plums and roasted almonds. A full-bodied wine with succulent, ripe fruit flavours the polished structure with Fruit and wood seamlessly integrate while softer tannins make for early enjoyment. Grapes were sourced from vineyards in the Stellenbosch area and grown on slopes facing west and north-west on soils originating from decomposed granite and Table Mountain sandstone. Ranging in age from 6 to 14 years and at altitudes of 150 m to 300 m the grapes are pruned and trained in order to balance the growth and yields for absolute quality. Receiving no supplementary irrigation, the yields from both vineyards were lower than usual due to very selective picking and averaged out at below six tons per hectare. The grapes were harvested by hand and after destalking and crushing, the mash was fermented in stainless steel tanks at 29° C with selected pure yeast cultures . The juice was separated from the skins after five days. Once malolactic fermentation was complete the wine was matured in a combination of French , American and Hungarian oak. Mostly new oak was used with a combination of second and third-fill . (6 x 75 cl)

Eikendal Semillon Stellenbosch RSA from South Africa, Stellenbosch by Eikendal Vineyards Stellenbosch (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' . This high-powered wine has a brilliant lime-green colour, with full-ripe limey, citrus aromas, mixed with vanilla and smoky oak. A Citrus burst of fruit on the palate is also showing peaches and apricots, with a very attractive element of sweetness and toasty oak. Made in the full-bodied style, this concentrated Semillon also combines marmalade zest with butterscotch cream, while the mouthfeel is soft and waxy leading to a long finish. The semillon vines which were planted in 1986 in decomposed granite soil, and once the grapes were harvested only free-run juice was gathered in stainless-steel tanks. Fermentation was completed in 100% new French oak: Francois Frere , Radoux , Vicard and Saure . The wine then spent a total of just over 8 months in wood and batonnage took place every two weeks for two months, and thereafter only once every month. After stabilisation, the wine was ready to be bottled. (6 x 75 cl)