1694 Classification 2008

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose meaty, smoky, spicy, with some prunes. In the mouth very tasty with a bitter finish. The aftertaste last for a while.

This wine is made in the Stellenbosch wine region of South Africa by Rust en Vrede. It is a blend of 57% Shiraz and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Rust en Vrede is one of South Africa’s premium red wine estates.

Stellenbosch is the most famous wine-producing region in South Africa. The town, in Western Cape’s Coastal Region, is steeped in wine producing history and is home to the country’s best-known wine estates. With multiple mesoclimates suitable for viticulture, the terrain allows for a lot of variation in wine styles. All sorts of grape varieties can be found among the exposed hills and sheltered valleys. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape variety. Shiraz, Petit Verdot and Merlot are also planted in quantity. Among white grapes, Chenin Blanc is the most widely planted, but Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling are found as well. Stellenbosch is also notable for being the birthplace of Pinotage, a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. It was bred by Abraham Izak Oerold, the first professor of viticulture at Stellenbosch University in 1924.

My father received this bottle as a present. More recent vintages can be bought for some 100 CHF.

Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grapes: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Red
Vintage: 2008
Producer: Rust en Vrede
Price range: Luxury (>100 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5