Zevenwacht THE TIN MINE Shiraz Merlot Cabernet Primitivo Stellenbosch RSA

Ripe and exotic, a distinctive, spicy wine that is rich and subtly oaked. The Chardonnay and Viognier lend a delicate perfume of peaches and citrus while the Sauvignon blanc punctuates the palate with concentrated pungency. A "lets-have-another-bottle" wine. A Rubenesque woman on her flower bed -flowers, peaches, honey and voluptuous. (12 x 75 cl)

A warm wine that is complex and generous. The intermingling of the three vineyard sites is apparent, with chocolate and ripe plum flavours in evidence, complemented by toasty oak and cedar wood aromatics. These barrel promoted flavours will integrate over the next 6 months and increase the complexity of the wine. (12 x 75 cl)

The south-facing vineyards ensure maximum ripeness. Traditional, lengthy fermentation gives good colour extraction. 40% is aged in small French oak barrels to an added dimension. (12 x 75 cl)

The grapes are grown on the warmest, most low-lying part of the estate and the stony clay soil further ensures both low yields and maximum ripeness. The result is an intense, highly concentrated wine. Ten months in French oak. Superb. (12 x 75 cl)

This wine has a brilliant lime colour that will deepen with age. The nose offers a complex bouquet of gooseberries, subtle grass and flinty, fig and herb notes. The palate is medium bodied with the complexities of the fruit perfectly offset by the crisp, lively acidity. (12 x 75 cl)

Harvested from vineyard slopes which benefit from the cooling sea breezes of False Bay. A small portion is matured in new French oak, which gives added complexity. (12 x 75 cl)

The history of Neethlingshof Estate spans a period of more than 300 years. In 1692 Willem Barend Lubbe, a German settler, began farming the site he had been granted by Simon van der Stel on the Bottelary Hills overlooking False Bay. He named the farm De Wolwedans, which means 'The Dance of Wolves', because he mistook for wolves the packs of jackals which roamed the countryside in those early days of European settlement. After Lubbe, the farm belonged to the Marais family, who built the wine cellar and the manor house in 1802 and 1814 respectively. Their son-in-law, Marthinus Neethling, earned himself the nickname, 'Lord Neethling', because he 'played the lord' by assuming airs of importance and authority. It was in Neethling's time that the farm was renamed Neethlingshof. Already at that time, the estate was enjoying the reputation of being one of the top wine farms in the area. The Neethlings' daughter married Jacobus Louw and the farm remained in the Louw family for the next 100 years. In 1963 well-known politician Jannie Momberg bought the estate while Gys van der Westhuizen, who had farmed for the Louw family since 1950, continued to run the farm for the Mombergs. In 1973 Schalk van der Westhuizen took over from his father as manager and winemaker and today the young and passionate De Wet Viljoen is at the helm in the cellar. Neethlingshof lies in the very heart of the Cape's winelands in the Stellenboschkloof, flanked by the Bottelary Hills and Papegaaiberg Mountain just outside the town of Stellenbosch. There are many natural advantages contributing to the production of the fine, characterful wines at Neethlingshof. These include a variety of high potential soils derived from decomposed granite, gentle slopes and valleys offering a choice of aspects. As well as the cooling effect of the nearby Atlantic Ocean on the vineyards during the ripening season, it also has the advantage of high altitude which varies between 85 and 250metres. This set of circumstances has allowed 165ha of the 273 ha to be planted with a variety of vines. The Pinotage grapes selected for this wine came from a range of trellised, south-east facing vineyards. The composition of the vineyard is made up of gravel soils with a clay content of about 10%. Set in dryland vineyards the vines ranged in age from 7 to 25 years. Great care has been taken from the harvest by hand to fermentation on the skins for five days and ageing in 225-litre French oak barrels for 24 months. This has produced an inky plum coloured wine with a medium body, velvety texture showing earthy, vegetal aromas and strong, plummy varietal flavours. (12 x 75 cl)

The classic French merlot is grown on the highest points on the farm It is deep ruby red, clear and brilliant. On the nose, an intense red berry character dominates, with oak aromas well evident in the background. The palate follows the nose, and is medium-bodied, with good berry-fruit flavours and a lengthy aftertaste. A wine with remarkable softness yet with excellent maturation potential. Enjoy this elegant, flavoursome wine on its own, or as the perfect accompaniment to rich stews and roasts. Serve at room temperature . (12 x 75 cl)

Classic cabernet sauvignon: the original vines imported from France and planted on resistant rootstocks suited to local conditions. It has an appealing deep purple-ruby colour. On the nose, it is rich and perfumed, with a plush, complex array of chocolate, currant, black cherry and toasty oak aromas. On the palate it is smooth and aromatic, with a vanilla-oak personality that lends a sense of sweetness to the palate. Well-structured and well- balanced. A deeply-flavoured and lingering finish. The wine has excellent maturation potential and is the perfect accompaniment to fine meat dishes, especially roast beef, steak and robust chicken. Beautifully complements mild noble cheeses. Serve at 18º Celsius. (12 x 75 cl)