2017 Rustenberg John X Merriman

Community Tasting Notes (7) Avg Score: 89 points

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  6/2/2023 - king-bing wrote:

  Screwcap. Drank alongside a 2018. Pretty good from opening with classic notes of blackcurrant and leather. A little green pepper later. Despite 14.5%abv this felt lighter and better balanced. Retains some structure but lovely to drink now. A very satisfying sort of wine and frankly a bargain.

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  4/9/2023 - Rupert wrote:

  Big round new world cab, loads of tannin, but it doesn't stick out at all.

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  10/29/2022 - king-bing wrote:

  14.5%abv. Surprisingly tannic to start. Lovely notes of old stone, cranberry, blackcurrant. Great value.

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  12/24/2021 - -Tim- Likes this wine: 88 Points

  Made from 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. 20 months in oak barriques.
  
  Given the warnings in the other tasting notes on CT (thanks LUKEINTOWN), I decanted this wine for 5 hours. Seemed to have worked well, as it did not feel tannic at all. I got cherries, olives, tobacco and rather high acidity. I would suggest to store this one another couple of years in order to get the acidity better integrated.
  
  Tim Atkin: 94p

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  3/26/2021 - lukeintowine wrote: 88 Points

  This left me a bit puzzled. This was so tannic on the first day I had to take a sip of water after each sip of wine. No kidding. They were so mouth drying! Also, the amount of sediment in the bottle was strange.
  
  Nonetheless, the wine fascinated me with its power.
  Day 1: Cabernet Sauvignon is dominating with meaty and (green) bell pepper, then blackberries and cherry. Big tannins that give you something to chew on. The acidity gives a nice tension. Overall unsettled and missing balance.
  Day 4: Tannins are tamed and give better mouthfeel. More room for the fruit. Better balance.
  
  I will try to get 2 more bottles and store them away for 10+ years.

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