Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

‘Ripe, with alluring grilled herb, cocoa, currant and plum flavors, backed by fine-grained tannins. Shows a nice sanguine note on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Apr 2007)

‘Good full ruby-red. Complex, claret-like aromas of plum syrup, graphite, tobacco, licorice, minerals and spices, with a light herbal quality adding verve. Intensely flavored, juicy and penetrating but youthfully subdued and extremely slow to express itself. Some bitter cherry and lead pencil notes reminded me of Saint-Julien. Firm acids and broad, building tannins suggest that this needs to be forgotten for at least a few years, but it should make a superb bottle.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 90+/100 (Mar 2007)

‘Classy bdx-style red, blended according to vintage dictates; impressive 04 thoughtfully composed mix merlot with cabs s/f, petit v (46/36/9/9), assembled from 44 batches of fruit. Merlot’s aromatic generosity, cab’s staunch structure, seamless, refined whole. Traditionally vinified, ±20 mths Fr oak.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2007, 4.5*

‘John X Merriman purchased part of the Rustenberg farm in 1892 (it was subsequently bought by the current owners, the Barlow family, in 1940) and this Cabernet-dominated blend is named after him. As with all Rustenberg wines, this is a fine, structured bottling that's more than New World. Offers smoky fruit, a mineral character, and dry tannins. This has potential to age for at least five years.’ – Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 93/100 (Nov 2006)