Meerlust Estate RUBICON Stellenbosch RSA

The wine has a very intense, dark plum color. The nose exhibits themes of blueberry and black cherry, combined with hints of minerals, spices , and cedar wood. The palate is mouth filling, supple and succulent with robust tannins and fresh acidity. Elegant and balanced, this wine will age beautifully. Alcoholic fermentation occurred in steel tanks for 10 days. After pressing, the wine was settled and underwent malolactic fermentation in tank. The wine was then blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, barrel maturation took place in Nevers barriques for 24 months. After bottling, the wine was further matured for 24 months before release. (6 x 75 cl)

A rich, fully-concentrated Chardonnay. (6 x 75 cl)

Meerlust Estate RED Stellenbosch RSA from South Africa, Stellenbosch by Meerlust (12 x 75 cl)

The wine has a deep, opaque plum-black appearance, very bright and youthful. The nose exhibits lifted cassis, plum and mineral notes with intense stone and graphite aromas. The palate is full yet elegant where the bouquet follows through and the intensity of fruit is balanced by a vibrant acidity and sleek polished tannins. Elegant, well structured, with a long llingering finish (6 x 75 cl)

This dark onion-skin coloured Pinot Noir has black cherry, raspberry and concentrated black truffle aromas. Delicate clove spices with hints of mineral earthiness and pepper appear on the nose, and follow through to the palate. Full bodied mouth feel with fine tannins. Lingering fruit on the delicate finish (6 x 75 cl)

Meerlust Estate RESERVE Pinot Noir Stellenbosch RSA from South Africa, Stellenbosch by Meerlust (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)

Neethlingshof Estate Pinotage Stellenbosch RSA from South Africa, Stellenbosch by Neethlingshof Estate Stellenbosch Soft & Supple Reds (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)