Rustenberg John X Merriman (75cl, 14%)

A Bordeaux-style red blend from Stellenbosch, South Africa, bottled at 14% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The grapes are hand-harvested, fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 35% of them new. The blend shifts between vintages, being either Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant or Merlot-dominant depending on which varietal performs best; the 2021 vintage comprised 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 11% Malbec and 6% Petit Verdot. The nose opens with concentrated cassis and blackcurrant, then dark cherry and cigar box, with cedar and wild mint. The palate is medium to full-bodied with blackberry, black plum, dark chocolate and tobacco, supported by tannins and acidity, with brown baking spices and cinnamon. The finish is persistent, with grainy tannins, plum, cedar, black pepper and dark fruit.