South African wines have tended to be viewed locally as curiosities, although some of the best are now coming to our shores. The country has embraced varieties such as cabernet and shiraz, but its key grapes are chenin blanc (once called steen) and pinotage, a cross between pinot noir and cinsaut...
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South Africa's Meerlust wines display a French-like elegance and complexity: The build up of South Africa as a major wine player in the global market began more than 30 years ago. Its winemaking tradition is, of course, an old rich one and dates to the late 18th century. |
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Meerlust 2005 Merlot reviewed in the Wine Enthusiast Wine Guide June 2009 edition: Soft tannins and a lingering finish give the wine an elegant, easydriking appeal... |
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Meerlust 2007 Chardonnay was reviewed in the Wine Spectator magazine - April 2009 edition, with the following review: Bold in style, with an overt grilled brioche aroma.... |
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Meerlust 2007 Chardonnay reviewed in the Wine Enthusiast Wine Guide March 2009 edition: A nose of all spice and cloves - slightly confected but appealing nonetheless... |
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Meerlust Rubicon 2004 reviewed in Wine Enthusiast Magazine: Intense, lingering aromas and flavours give this wine - a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet - a memorable edge... |
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My fellow blogstress, Violet Hatfields, alluded in this space the other week to the recent opening of a South African restaurant on the Thames by St.Paul's. It was purely by coincidence that I found myself at High Timber - eventually - last week for a dinner based around a tasting of the excellent wines of their countrymen, Meerlust... |
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Meerlust was reviewd in the Wine Spectator online wine magazine and rated as beefy, rustic style, with gutsy currant, coffee and iron notes backed by muscular tannins... |
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Meerlust was featured in the Wine Enthusiast: Wine Guide and rated as an elegant wine with easy drinking appeal... |
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Our wine-tasting experience was a rare treat indeed, with my particular vote going to the Rubicon and the estate's Pinot Noir...
There are wines that are always great buys but then there's art in a bottle and Meerlust wines fall into the latter category, well worth what you've spent if you're aiming at investing in something extraordinary...
Meerlust's beautifully maintained homestead is only open to the public by invitation because it is a private home. However, Hannes sometimes organises a musical event under the trees, advertising in the press in advance....
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"Meerlust," which is German for "pleasure of the sea," is a famous South African wine estate. It was purchased by the Myburgh family in 1756. This is an elegant, Old World-style wine, with concentrated dark fruit, creme brulee, cigar box and spice hints integrated with savory loam. Lovely balance, lengthy finish...
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It's worth remembering the likes of Meerlust, Kanonkop and Rustenberg have been around for a century or more. Indeed there's something about the bucolic grounds and Cape Dutch architecture of Meerlust and Rustenberg farms that were established in the 17th century, which creates a lump in your throat...
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Meerlust Rubicon 2004 was featured in Wine Spectator magazine and rated as traditional in vein, with anniron and earth-filled finish that should soften nicely with cellaring...
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Meerlust Pinot Noir 2004 was featured in Wine Spectator magazine rated as: Mature , with a smoky, cedary edge to the tar and macerated cherry fruit....
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I'm really, really impressed with what Chris Williams has been doing at Meerlust since taking over from Georgio Dalla Cia.
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Internationaal bekroonde kunstenaar, William Kentridge, het in samewerking me Rand Merchant Bank (wat die produksie Die towerfluit later vanjaar na Suid-Afrika bring) besluit om fondse in te samel om gratis oggendvertonings van Die towerfluit aan minder bevoorregte kinders te bied.
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Renowned artist William Kentridge collaborates with top South African wine producers to fund performances of The Magic Flute for those less fortunate.
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One of South Africa's new guard of young vintners is pushing forward Cape winemaking at the historic Meerlust winery as well his own boutique operation.
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Wijnmaker Chris Williams van Meerlust reist van hot naar her. Hij heeft zojuist in Londen een examen voor zijn Master of Wine-opleiding achter de rug, nu sjeest hij in Nederland van de ene wijnhandel naar de andere en daarna vliegt hij door, naar de Verenigde Staten.
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Meerlust Estate in Stellenbosch has released a limited edition six-bottle vertical of its iconic Rubicon wine, available in numbered cases.
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Tonight is the final round, and in honour of the third round leader I'm going to be drinking a South African wine - Meerlust 2003 Rubicon. It's really good stuff.
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"...2004 Rubicon, the first to be under the complete control of winemaker, Chris Williams - and what a wonderful wine it is."
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