The Anthonij Rupert Red Blend 2018 is a refined and cellar-aged Bordeaux-style blend that reflects the estate’s commitment to precision and longevity. Sourced from premium vineyard sites across the Western Cape, including Franschhoek and Groenekloof, this vintage shows both depth and polish, shaped by extended maturation before release.
The nose is rich and layered, revealing black cherry, plum, and blueberry, with underlying notes of spice, cocoa, and a subtle hint of fennel. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet composed, with seamless integration of fruit and oak. Fine-grained tannins provide structure without heaviness, allowing the wine’s dark fruit core and savory complexity to unfold. The finish is long, smooth, and persistent, with a gentle cocoa note lingering.
This is a serious, cellar-worthy red that pairs beautifully with roast lamb, beef, game, and richly flavored dishes.
The grapes were hand-harvested from selected vineyard sites and carefully sorted before being gravity-fed into wooden fermenters. Following a cold soak, fermentation proceeded naturally, with around 5 days of skin maceration to build color and texture.
The wine was matured for approximately 24 months in French oak barrels (around 50% new), followed by extended bottle aging prior to release, allowing for integration and refinement. Bottled unfiltered, the wine retains its full character and structure.
Winemaker: Dawie Botha
Anthonij Rupert Wyne was founded on the farm L’Ormarins in Franschhoek. Originally owned by the late Anthonij Rupert, who passed away in 2001, the farm was taken over by his brother Johann Rupert in 2003. It was Johann Rupert who constructed a state-of-the-art winemaking facility on the estate, and the beginnings of what was to become a sprawling enterprise with a focus on terroir specific wines.