The top red here, a pure Cabernet Sauvignon, which comes each year from the same handful of rows on the Helderberg, given 20 months in oak, 70% new.  Best decanted to open it out. Youthful purple. Recently retasted, it is now perfectly poised between vibrant primary cassis fruit and smooth maturity.  “Protective tannin, fresh acid should allow full evolution of ultra ripe fruit. 4½ stars” Platter’s South African Wines, 2008. Now-2014

Product Code: RUS204

Rustenberg has perhaps even greater status than Meerlust in the historic Cape hierarchy; and, over the last thirty years, has gained a renewed lustre under the dynamic Peter Barlow. The second label, Brampton (named after a prize bull from the famous herd at Rustenberg) has been developed, from fruit sourced in Stellenbosch, Paarl and Darling, and new wines released, for example the 2004 Syrah, from imported French clones. Awards come thick and fast, from the The Five Soldiers taking last year’s Decanter World Wine Awards International Chardonnay Trophy over £10, to the John X Merriman winning countless awards over the years for the best Bordeaux blend in the Cape.