2022 Rustenberg John X Merriman Cabernet Merlot, Stellenbosch

Fudge-tinged red berries and cassis pastilles meld with spearmint, violets and graphite, underpinned by seamless charred oak and youthful tannins.

93 points Decanter

A dark-fruited red blend that has notes of blueberries, black plums, violets and black tea. It’s full-bodied, youthful and fresh, with chalky tannins. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec and petit verdot. Try from 2025.

91 points James Suckling

Named after John Xavier Merriman, the last Prime Minister of the Cape Colony and a key figure in the history of Rustenberg, this wine reflects both the heritage and ambition of one of South Africa's most revered estates. Rustenberg's story dates back to 1682, making it one of Stellenbosch's oldest wineries. Since acquiring the property in 1941, the Barlow family has transformed Rustenberg into a benchmark producer, with winemaker Murray Barlow continuing a tradition of crafting wines that express the character of Stellenbosch's renowned vineyards.

The John X Merriman blend has become a modern South African classic, drawing inspiration from the great red blends of Bordeaux while retaining a distinctly Stellenbosch personality. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone, supported by Merlot and smaller portions of traditional Bordeaux varieties. The 2022 vintage delivered excellent fruit purity and balance, allowing the wine to combine richness, freshness and structure in equal measure.

Deep ruby red in colour, the bouquet is layered with blackcurrant, dark plum and blackberry aromas, alongside notes of cedar, tobacco leaf, graphite and dried herbs. Hints of dark chocolate, spice and pencil shavings add further complexity. The palate is polished and generous, offering concentrated dark fruit flavours wrapped around fine, ripe tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and drive, while Merlot contributes flesh and softness through the mid palate. Fresh acidity keeps the wine vibrant, leading to a long finish marked by cassis, savoury spice and subtle oak influence.

This versatile red is superb with roast lamb studded with garlic and rosemary, grilled beef sirloin, slow braised short ribs or a rich mushroom and lentil pie. The balance of fruit and tannin will allow it to develop beautifully over the next 10 to 15 years, gaining further complexity and savoury nuance. Combining Old World elegance with New World generosity, it remains one of the finest value premium red blends to emerge from Stellenbosch.