Epicurean Red Blend (Stellenbosch) 2005

Epicurean, a bordeaux blend, the premier wine in the portfolio.

These four gentlemen came together and

produced one of South Africa's most exquisite wines.

ABOUT THE COMPANY          ||          ABOUT THE BRANDS          ||        ABOUT THE PARTNERS

Epicurean Red Blend is the result of a collaborative effort of Mr. Shilowa, Mr. Ngoasheng, Mr. Mogase and Mr. Gault (seen above).  This partnership has produced four vintages of Epicurean and has received 94 points from the noted wine, South African Wine Guide, published by John Platter.

The 2005 is a highly regarded vintage which had a long hang time, giving phenolic ripeness at slightly lower alcohols resulting in a wine that is typical of Epicurean style which of course is full bodied with a lot finesse.  The wine was fermented in stainless steel and matured in French Oak for nineteen months. 

Nose, subtle clean black cherry, plum and tobacco flavors.  The finish is long with a creamy vanilla aftertaste.

Made in the Rupert & Rothschild cellars by R&R winemaker Schalk-Willem Joubert, and distributed by Meridian Wine Merchants, all the luxury boxes have been ticked.

Grapes were sourced from the Stellenbosch Annandale property of Hempies du Toit with additional Merlot sourced from Durbanville and Cabernet from Darling, with 2003 the kind of maiden vintage dreamed of in wine marketing PR heaven.

Only eight barrels were made in the elegantly classic style preferred by the four founding partners.

Natural fermentation of the grapes in stainless steel vats was followed by 25 days lees contact and then twenty months maturation in 225 litre French oak barrels (70% new, the remainder second fill) with frequent rackings.

Now about the founding partners: Ron T. Gault is a retired JP Morgan Managing Director; Moss Ngoasheng is Chairman of Safika Holdings and former economic advisor to President Thabo Mbeki; Mutle Mogas is executive Chairman of Vantage Capital and Mbhazima Shilowa is the Premier of Gauteng.  These four gentlemen came together and produced one of South Africa’s most exquisite tasting wine.

Epicurean Red Blend (Stellenbosch) 2005

Cabernet Sauvignon 37%, Merlot 36%, Cabernet Franc 27%

A full bodied wine with velvety tannins leading to a generous and silky mouth feel.

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