Stellenrust Simplicity Red Blend (Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot)

General information:
The Simplicity is a trusted friend of plenty of South Africans and international supporters of Stellenrust. Since its inception in 2005, it is still our fastest-growing label with the sole focus on producing excellent quality wine at an excellent price.

In the vineyards:
Grapes for this wine are harvested from three different farms where we believe each variety performs best in the blend – you can call it a three terroir blend inside one ward – Stellenbosch: 52% Shiraz from the Helderberg giving dense pepper spice, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon from our Bottelary farm giving mint chocolate berries and 22% Merlot from the clay soils of the Devon Valley ensuring fresh acidity.

In the cellar:
Grapes are harvested at 24-26 Balling and allowed cold maceration for up to 48 hours. Each variety is inoculated with its own special blend of French yeast strains and fermentation on the skins varies from 6-10 days. The grapes are pressed and the juice finishes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The components are blended and allowed to mature in 90% French and 10% American oak for 12 months.

Tasting notes:
The nose shows spicy mocha flavors and some vanilla notes derived from American oak. The palate is rich, filled with ripe fruit, pepper, and hints of violets, cassis, and dark chocolate; smoothed with subtle Merlot flavors and vanilla oak. And the name Simplicity?: well, many great things are born from keeping it simple.

Food pairing:
An excellent accompaniment to fillet medallions, drenched in mustard pepper with a cranberry reduction or just something simple like a beef burger with fries or a Barbeque chicken salad topped with fresh mascarpone cheese.