2019 RUSTENBERG JOHN X MERRIMAN SIMONSBERG SOUTH AFRICA RED BLEND In the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, the historic and renowned Rustenberg Estate has a rich history dating back to the late 17th century. The Estate has consistently maintained its reputation for producing high-quality wines from the 600 million-year-old soils of the Stellenbosch Mountains. This ancient terroir imparts captivating mineral hints attributed to the decomposed granite soils and achieves exceptional quality when crafted with precision. The John X Merriman Red gets its name from the Estate's former owner, who played a prominent role in revitalizing the area and promoting the tourism and agricultural value of Stellenbosch. The wine is a Bordeaux-styled blend based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and in the 2019 vintage, is accentuated with Malbec and Petit Verdot from a small yield that is aging wonderfully. WINEMAKER: Rustenberg winemaker Murray Barlow has been a part of the family business since 2012 after completing his Masters in Oenology from The University of Adelaide in Australia. Murray oversees both the winemaking and marketing efforts at Rustenberg, bringing a modern outlook and renewed passion to the operations. He has also been recognized for his contributions to the industry, winning the Diner’s Club Young Winemaker of the Year Award twice, making him the only person to have received this honor twice​