Wine By Nine

Red Wine by Ernie Els from South Africa. Producing a wine made up of five Bordeaux varieties to reflect the unique diversity of the Stellenbosch terroir. This wine, made by cellarmaster Louis Strydom, is Ernie Els and Jean Engelbrecht's vision to produce an exceptional wine, reflecting their respective commitment to quality. Mediterranean with the rainfall ? 650mm per annum, the EE vineyards are located high up on the northern slopes of the Helderberg Mountain. This contribution imparts warmer fruit flavours to the wine. In summer, the vineyards' close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean result in cool sea breezes that keeps temperatures lower, extending the ripening period. Earthy and mineral, wild berries, mocha, this wine is forever changing in the glass. Firm tannins and French Oak seamlessly integrated, with dried fruit flavours that linger nicely on the slightly dry finish. Larger than life tannins will ensure good ageing. Decant! 2002 Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (61%) Merlot (24%) Malbec (5%) Cabernet Franc(5%) Petit Verdot (5%)

Red Wine by Vilafonte from South Africa. Series C. This wine is made from the most intense, powerful wines from the vineyard; very deep concentrated fruit; a predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc with some Malbec/Merlot to round it out. It has a high percentage of restrained new oak which integrates well with the fruit. It has great length. Cabernet Sauvignon 82% Merlot 9% Cabernet Franc 7% Malbec 2%

Red Wine by Vilafonte from South Africa. Series M. This wine is more Merlot based; still a blend, but using the Merlot, and Malbec with Cabernet to give it some backbone. It is more supple, more fruit forward; with silky texture in the mouth, good length, and very approachable and succulent. Merlot 41% Malbec 16% Cabernet Sauvignon 39% Cabernet Franc 4%

Red Wine by Vilafonte from South Africa. Series M. This wine is more Merlot based; still a blend, but using the Merlot, and Malbec with Cabernet to give it some backbone. It is more supple, more fruit forward; with silky texture in the mouth, good length, and very approachable and succulent.

Red Wine by Rust en Vrede from South Africa. Deep purple color. Massively rich aromas with an array of ripe cherry and blackberry, exotically spiced. The palate is packed with these flavors -deeply concentrated. Almost explosively mouth filling, with a fine tannin finish. Chosen as one of Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines four years in a row.

Red Wine by De Toren from South Africa. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot This harmonious classic full structure has voluptuous soft red fruit flavors that continuously compete to dominate one another as this wine spends time in the glass. Strawberries, black currant, liquorice and sweet oak flavors are rounded off with fine cinnamon and caramel fudge, which lingers long after swallowing. The well-balanced tannin structure in combination with the wine's intense flavors will ensure that this great vintage stands proud as it improves in the bottle over the next couple of years.

Red Wine by Rustenberg from South Africa. 46% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot A great vintage following the excellent 2003. There is more restraint in this vintage and the wine is very complex all around. Typical Rustenberg aromas of cellar spices, dark cherries & fynbos. The palate is richly layered with fruit tannin and well-balanced. John X. Merriman purchased part of the Rustenberg farm in 1892 (it was subsequently bought by the current owners, the Barlow family, in 1940) and this Cabernet-dominated blend is named after him. As with all Rustenberg wines, this is a fine, structured bottling that's more than New World. Offers smoky fruit, a mineral character, and dry tannins. This has potential to age for at least five years. -Wine Enthusiast

Red Wine by Warwick Estate from South Africa. Blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc. Warwick's flagship Estate Reserve is an opulent, full-bodied wine with rich, concentrated berry fruit, silky mouth-filling flavors, polished tannins and a lingering finish. Skillful barrel ageing gives Trilogy excellent maturation potential. Decanting is recommended to maximize enjoyment of this classically styled, handcrafted wine. Warwick Estate is on the premium red wine slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain, near Stellenbosch. Established in 1770, the winemaking tradition was revived in 1964 by the Ratcliffe family. Loaded with red currant, plum, cocoa and brier flavors, this distinctive wine also unfurls spice, mineral and suave toast elements before gliding to a precise and harmonious finish. Finely crafted. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2005.-WS

Red Wine by Mulderbosch from South Africa. Blend: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Pertit Verdot, 8% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc This wine displays a deep ruby color. Blackcurrant, coffee, nutmeg, all spice, forest floor and mulberry aromas entice the nose. This follows through on the palate together with ripe plum, intense blackberry and voluptuous vanillins giving the wine great structure and complexity. Food pairings: Game birds, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, lamb potjie, steaks, meat stews, ratatouille, strong cheddar cheese.

Red Wine by Glen Carlou from South Africa. Blend: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc The wine is deep red with an intense and brilliant hue. On the nose are aromas of cloves, sandalwood, fresh cassis berries, and dark brambly fruit. Ripe tannins, full sweetness, clean, intense black berries and spice linger on the palate. The finish is long lasting, elegant and balanced with mouth- filling complexity. The 2004 vintage is a smooth, rich wine with fruit forward character and ripe tannins which means it will age well. It is ideal to drink now with rich food and red meat dishes. The classic structure will allow the wine to mature well for at least 10 years.

Red Wine by Nitida from South Africa. Nitida's signature blend masterfully combines the spicy and earthy flavors of 35% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon to create a classy, well integrated wine. Aged in French oak for 12 months.