Tasted 24th May 2011


South Africa

Vredenhof Cellar Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Western Cape, South Africa 6.79
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fruit sourced from vineyards in defined areas of the Western Cape for terroir specificity and varietal style.
Every block was vinified separately under the careful supervision of oenologist, Jaco Potgieter. The grapes were fermented on skins for
7 days at 28°C until dry. After pressing, the young wine was put on French oak staves where malolactic fermentation was completed. The
wine was then left on staves for a further 3 months. Final blending and bottling took place in the cellars in Wellington. Suitable for
vegetarians and vegans. Alc 14%, TA 5.41g/l, pH 3.58, RS 5.0g/l. Special Offer: Save 20%, £6.79 - £5.39 from 29/06 to 19/07.
Available from Waitrose Wine Direct and 233 branches.
Not a particularly great nose. Nothing pointing to cabernet. Perfectly good taste, for the price.

Zalze Shiraz/Mourvèdre/Viognier 2010 Western Cape, South Africa 6.99
80% Shiraz from the Stellenbosch region with 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Viognier from the Western Cape. The grapes were harvested
between 24 - 25° Baumé, from different blocks. After crushing, they were cold macerated for 3 days before fermentation started. A
combination of pumpovers and punch-downs followed to ensure optimum colour and flavour extraction from the skins. The wine
matured for 12 months in 3rd and 4th fill French oak barrels. Alc 14.5%, TA 6.8g/l, pH 3.6, RS 2.8g/l. Special Offer: Save 20%, £6.99 -
£5.59 from 25/05 - 21/06. Available from Waitrose Wine Direct and 218 branches.
A little light on the nose. Nice spicy, dark fruity taste. Some mint. Nice and juicy.

Cederberg Waitrose Foundation Shiraz 2009 South Africa 7.99
Buyer’s Highlight - Delicious, cooler-climate Cape Shiraz, blended by David Nieuwoudt at Cederberg from the Waitrose
Foundation vineyards.
100% Shiraz from some of the highest-lying vineyards in South Africa, at 1,100m above sea level. The grapes were handpicked from
vineyards planted on red slate/hutton soil. The berries were crushed, cold macerated for 4 days and fermented at 25°C with selected
yeast and a pumpover every 6 hours. Alcoholic ferment lasted 9 days in stainless steel tanks, followed by malo in French oak barrels,
where the wine matured for 11 months. Part of the Waitrose Foundation, a % of the profit from both Waitrose and the producer is
ploughed back into the local community to fund projects voted for by the growers. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Alc 14.5%,
TA 5.4g/l, pH 3.60, RS 3.7g/l. Available from Waitrose Wine Direct and 251 branches.
A little composty on the nose. Punishing alcohol. Spoils it.

Rustenberg John X Merriman 2008 Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, South Africa 12.49
51% Cab Sauv, 36% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 4% Cab Franc and 2% Malbec, grown on lower slopes of the Simonsberg mountain in
Stellenbosch. Grapes harvested Feb - March 2008. 24 vineyard blocks vinified separately during which 9 aerative pumpovers were
employed. Primary ferment at 26°C and extended skin maceration. Drained and gravity fed to 35% new and 65% 2nd and 3rd fill 225l
French oak barrels for malo. Blended after 9 months and returned to barrel for a further 12 months maturation. Bottled May 2010 after
egg-white fining. Winemaker Randolph Christians. Suitable for vegetarians. Alc 14.5%, TA 5.9g/l, pH 3.59, RS 2.9g/l. Special Offer: Save
20%, £12.49 - £9.99 from 20/07 to 16/08. Available from Waitrose Wine Direct and 240 branches.
Very inviting nose. Green peppery, blackcurrant leaf, etc. Ditto on the palate. The alcohol on this wine has been punishing in the past, but now seems to be under control. I like it and it’s definitely worth catching on offer. £9.99 is a steal.

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