Every wine tells a story

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Every wine tells a story. This is the motto at Muratie, the historic estate tucked away in the beautiful Knorhoek Valley north of Stellenbosch. Established in 1685, Muratie is one of the oldest farms in South Africa, rich in history and heritage. And with this age comes a myriad fascinating tales of the many extraordinary characters from the farm’s colourful past, which have been proudly commemorated in the naming and labelling of Muratie’s wines. All the Muratie wines have been named after these remarkable characters, each wine with its own enchanting story described on the back label. Buy the wines, read the labels, enjoy the history.

The Muratie Martin Melck Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve 2016 (named after the great Martin Melck who was a major force in the wine and brandy industry for more than 20 years) boasts four-and-a-half stars in Platter’s 2020 SA Wine Guide. It has an intense ruby-red colour in the glass, opulent and polished, with the blackberries, currants and plums almost crème de cassis-like in their intensity. Even after the last sip, this red wine, with its lingering finish, will be remembered for a long time. It costs R460 a bottle and is only available at the estate or online.

Muratie Martin Melck Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 is classically styled and restrained. Aged for 20 months in French oak, it’s a full-bodied wine and will reward cellaring for at least another six years. Also a four-and-a-half star in the Platter 2020 guide, it costs R200 a bottle, and you’ll find it at wine merchants or online.

Martin Melck Cabernet Sauvignon pairs perfectly with Ouma Annatjie Melck’s Marinated Beef Pot Roast. Click here for the recipe.

Muratie Ronnie Melck Syrah Family Selection 2015/2016 (named after Ronnie Melck  who, when asked to single out his favourite wine, always answered, ‘the wine in my glass’, which was often a Shiraz). A robust statement wine produced in extremely limited quantities (only 2200 bottles, each individually numbered), it’s described as expressive, intriguing and unharnessed. Rich concentrated blackberries, red currants and cherries burst onto the palate, while hints of black olive, pepper, smoke and bacon add savoury appeal. It’s only available at the estate or online for R530 a bottle.

Ronnie described Muratie wines as ‘humble, honest and full of integrity, with quality being the only answer’, and the Muratie Ronnie Melck Shiraz 2016 certainly delivers on all those fronts. It’s an intensely red wine with a violet edge, offering rich floral and berry notes with hints of green peppercorns and gamey nuances, supported by a sweet spiciness with a vanilla, crème brûlée aftertaste. You can buy it at wine boutiques or online for R190 a bottle. Details: muratie.co.za/wine/buy-wine

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