RUSTENBERG JOHN X MERRIMAN

Another Rustenberg wine that really impressed me when I tasted through the range with owner/winemaker Murray Barlow. This is a classic Stellenbosch Bordeaux-style blend, with loads of blackcurrant, cassis, plum and dark berry fruit, layered with cigar tobacco, sour cherry, black pepper and spice. What I loved was the combination of ripe fruit, structure and length — there’s plenty of power here, but the tannins are fine and polished and the wine finishes long and savoury. A seriously impressive red that will only get better with time.